Candy (featuring Kate Pierson)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a wild ride as we spin Candy (featuring Kate Pierson) by Iggy Pop from his 1990 album Brick By Brick! This track is a gem with some juicy trivia to share. Did you know Iggy originally wanted Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders to sing the duet? In an interview, Hynde revealed Iggy sent her a handwritten version of the song, but something went awry, and they never collaborated. She later expressed regret, saying Iggy was her number one growing up. Instead, Kate Pierson of The B-52’s stepped in, bringing her sassy, retro-cool vibe to the track. Iggy himself noted in a quote shared on X, “I’ve written one good pop song: ‘Candy’. It’s a very decent, proper pop song, but that’s as far as that went.” The song became his biggest mainstream hit, cracking the U.S. Top 40 for the first and only time, peaking at number 28 in February 1991.

More cool tidbits about Candy—the cover art for the single was drawn by American cartoonist Charles Burns, known for his edgy, surreal style. The song’s music video, directed by Jeff Preiss, features Iggy rocking out in a desert and Kate belting her part from a bar and stage, blending gritty and glamorous vibes. Fans on Reddit have shared love for the track, with one user on r/90sAlternative noting it reminds them of their dad, while others praise Kate’s iconic voice. The song’s been covered by artists worldwide, like Polish band Hey for their MTV Unplugged album and Czech punk band Tři sestry, who turned it into a track called “Venda” with their own lyrics. Spanish rocker Loquillo also recorded a version called “Candy Baby,” with Aurora Beltrán singing Kate’s part.

Now, let’s dive into how Iggy Pop, the Godfather of Punk, got his start. Born James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan, Iggy grew up in a trailer park and found music early on. He got his nickname “Iggy” in high school while drumming for a local blues band called The Iguanas. His wild energy and raw talent led him to form The Stooges in 1967, a protopunk band that became legendary for its chaotic live shows and albums like Fun House and Raw Power. Iggy’s stage antics—think shirtless dives into the crowd and smearing peanut butter on himself—set him apart as a fearless performer. After The Stooges broke up in the mid-’70s, Iggy went solo, collaborating with David Bowie on iconic albums like The Idiot and Lust for Life. Despite personal struggles, including a stint in a neuropsychiatric institute, Iggy’s resilience and genre-spanning music—punk, hard rock, pop, and even jazz—kept him a force in the industry.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Iggy Pop through his official website, where you’ll find tour dates, merch, and more. Connect with him on social media via his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares updates and throwbacks. For fan communities, check out the Iggy Pop Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group where fans swap stories and rare photos. Another great spot is IggyPop.org, a fan-run site packed with discographies, interviews, and archives. So, crank up Candy, vibe with the Zoo Crew, and let Iggy and Kate’s duet take you back to 1990!