The Passenger

Iggy Pop

About The Passenger

"The Passenger" is a song by Iggy Pop and Ricky Gardiner, recorded and released by Iggy Pop on the Lust for Life album in 1977. It was also released as the B-side of the album's only single, "Success". It was released as a single in its own right in March 1998, reaching number 22 in the UK Charts. The lyrics, written by Iggy Pop allegedly aboard Berlin's S-Bahn, have been interpreted as embodying the nomadic spirit of the punk outcast. Guitarist Ricky Gardiner composed the music. The song is loosely based on a poem by Jim Morrison. 


Year:
1977
4:44
198 
#3

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I am a passenger
And I ride and I ride
I ride through the city's backside
I see the stars come out of the sky
Yeah, they're bright in a hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight

I am a passenger
I stay under glass
I look through my window so bright
I see the stars come out tonight
I see the bright and hollow sky
Over the city's ripped-back sky
And everything looks good tonight

Singin' la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la

Get into the car
We'll be the passenger
We'll ride through the city tonight
See the city's ripped backsides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
The sky was made for us tonight

Oh, the passenger
How-how he rides
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He looks through his window
What does he see?
He sees the silent hollow sky
He see the stars come out tonight
He sees the city's ripped backsides
He sees the winding ocean drive
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
'Cause it just belongs to you and me
So let's take a ride and see what's mine

Singin' la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la

Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He sees things from under glass
He looks through his window's eye
He sees the things he knows are his
He sees the bright and hollow sky
He sees the city asleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight
And all of it is yours and mine
And all of it is yours and mine
Oh, let's ride and ride and ride and ride

Singin' la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la

Singin' la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, la-la

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop (born James Newell Osterberg, Jr.; April 21, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though widely known as an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, hard rock, jazz and blues. Pop became known as 'Iggy' in high school, during which time he served as drummer for local blues band The Iguanas. He is vocalist of influential protopunk band The Stooges (Pop and the other surviving members of the group reunited in 2003), having become known, since the late 1960s, for his outrageous and unpredictable stage antics. more »

2 fans

Written by: James Newell Osterberg, Ricky Gardiner

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Album Information
"The Passenger" is a song by American singer Iggy Pop from his 1977 second solo album "Lust for Life."
Inspiration
The song is said to have been inspired by the time Pop spent touring and travelling around North America and Europe.
Lyrics Composition
The song's lyrics, "I am the passenger. And I ride and I ride", were supposedly inspired by a life on the road.
Failure to Chart
Despite being one of Iggy Pop's most popular tracks, "The Passenger" did not initially chart upon its 1977 release.
Guitarist Contribution
Lead guitar parts for the track were played by Ricky Gardiner, who wrote the song alongside Pop.
Popular Culture
The song has had a lasting impact on popular culture, featuring in numerous films and television shows like "Radiofreccia", "Trainspotting", and most recently "The boys."
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "The Passenger" since its original release, including Siouxie and the Banshees, R.E.M., and The Cure's Robert Smith.
Video Release
Interestingly, the music video for "The Passenger" was not made until 2014, several decades after the song's initial release.
Commercial Success
While the song didn't perform well initially, it has gained commercial success over time and is now one of Pop's most well-known tracks.
Unique Sound
"The Passenger" is particularly noted for its unique sound, blending together elements of rock, pop, and punk.
David Bowie Involvement
The song's album, "Lust for Life", was produced by David Bowie, a longtime collaborator and friend of Iggy Pop.
Music Video Directors
The music video was directed by Simon & Ben, and depicts Pop performing in a bar setting.
Song's Length
"The Passenger" is one of the longer tracks on the album "Lust for Life", running for 4 minutes and 44 seconds.
Song's Structure
The song follows an unconventional structure, based mainly on a continuous series of chord changes with no real chorus.

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