Lust For Life

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic Lust For Life by Iggy Pop, from his 1977 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the raw energy of this punk rock classic. One fascinating piece of trivia about the song Lust For Life is its drumbeat, played by Hunt Sales, which was inspired by the Morse code opening of the American Forces Network News in Berlin. Iggy Pop and David Bowie, while waiting for the 1970s TV show Starsky and Hutch, picked up on this rhythm, which became the song’s infectious backbone. Interestingly, this beat wasn’t entirely original, drawing from Motown hits like The Supremes’ You Can’t Hurry Love and Martha and The Vandellas’ I’m Ready For Love, both released in 1966. The song’s lyrics, penned by Iggy, were influenced by William S. Burroughs’ novel The Ticket That Exploded, with references to drugs, stripteases, and “hypnotizing chickens,” showcasing Iggy’s knack for vivid, surreal imagery.

Another story tied to Lust For Life comes from its recording process, which was remarkably swift. Iggy Pop and David Bowie, along with their band, wrote, recorded, and mixed the entire album in just eight days at Hansa Studio by the Wall in West Berlin. Iggy later shared in an interview with biographer Joe Ambrose that this efficiency left them with a surplus from their RCA Records advance, which they split. The song gained a massive resurgence in the 1990s after being featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting, hitting No. 26 on the UK singles chart and inspiring a greatest hits compilation, Nude & Rude. Iggy’s chaotic performance of the song on the Dutch TV show TopPop in 1977, where he wrecked part of the stage, also became legendary, though the show’s director later admitted they knew his plans and the damage was minimal.

Iggy Pop, born James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21, 1947, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, began his musical journey in the 1960s, heavily influenced by the raw energy of bands like The Doors and MC5. His stage name “Iggy” came from his high school days playing drums for a local blues band called The Iguanas. Inspired by Jim Morrison’s wild stage presence, Iggy pushed boundaries as the frontman of The Stooges, a proto-punk band formed in 1967. Known for his confrontational performances, including stage diving and self-mutilation, Iggy earned the moniker “Godfather of Punk.” The Stooges’ early albums, The Stooges (1969) and Fun House (1970), sold poorly but gained a cult following. Struggles with heroin addiction led to the band’s initial breakup, but a pivotal meeting with David Bowie in 1975 sparked a friendship and collaboration that revitalized Iggy’s career, leading to his solo debut The Idiot and the seminal Lust For Life.

Fans can connect with Iggy Pop through his official website and follow him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates on tours, projects, and his eclectic radio show, Iggy Confidential, on BBC Radio 6 Music. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online, including the Iggy Pop Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share rare photos, concert stories, and memorabilia. Another notable fan site is IggyPop.org, offering a treasure trove of discographies, interviews, and fan-curated content celebrating Iggy’s enduring legacy.