The initiator of alternative rock, the “godfather” of the grunge style, the “grandfather” of the punk movement – as soon as the famous musician and vocalist Iggy Pop is called. It was he who initiated the frenzy that is happening during the concert performances of many rock bands. Even if Iggy didn’t sing a single famous song, he would go down in history as the first performer who dared to jump off the stage into the crowd.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song I Wanna Be Your Dog
But he has more than enough popular songs, and one of them was the composition I Wanna Be Your Dog (“I want to be your dog”). The Stooges recorded it in the notorious 1969 for their first single and debut album. The lyrics of the song, the musical accompaniment, the manner of performance and, of course, the behavior of Iggy made the audience pay attention to I Wanna Be Your Dog.
Guitarist Roy Ashton once explained that the title of the song is a phrase used by Detroit punks to hit on pretty girls. By the way, the rock band The Stooges often used slang words in their songs, so the true meaning of some lines is not always clear even to English-speaking listeners.
In I Wanna Be Your Dog, Iggy sings about wanting to be sexually dominated by a woman. It is believed that the song expresses the dislike of ordinary working guys of that era for the surrounding reality, their rebellious spirit and unwillingness to get bogged down in a routine. The theme was later taken up by the Sex Pistols and other punk bands.
The music of Wanna Be Your Dog is a classic of the genre: three chords, a heavy guitar riff, one note on the piano throughout the song, a dirty performance. In general, everything for which some people love punk, while others hate it.
Release and achievements
Rolling Stone magazine ranked I Wanna Be Your Dog number 445 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
There are dozens of covers of I Wanna Be Your Dog. It has been performed by the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious during his solo career, Nirvana, RHCP, David Bowie and many others.
Interesting Facts
- The piano during the recording of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” was played by producer John Cale, who had the idea to add this part.
- The song is heard in many films: “Cards, Money and Two Smoking Barrels”, “Transporter-3”, “Sid and Nancy” and others.
- “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is also featured on the soundtracks for the computer games Grand Theft Auto IV and Vietcong.
- Lou Reed says “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is Iggy Pop’s best song.
I Wanna Be Your Dog Lyrics
So messed up I want you here
In my room I want you here
Now we’re gonna be face-to-face
And I’ll lay right down in my favorite place
And now I wanna be your dog
Now I wanna be your dog
Now I wanna be your dog
Well come on
Now I’m ready to close my eyes
And now I’m ready to close my mind
And now I’m ready to feel your hand
And lose my heart on the burning sands
And now I wanna be your dog
And now I wanna be your dog
Now I wanna be your dog
Well come on
I Wanna Be Your Dog Lyrics Iggy Pop
I’m in shit and I want you here
In my room right here
Now we’ll be alone
And I’ll lay down right on my favorite spot
And I want to be your dog
Here I want to be your dog
Here I want to be your dog
Come on
I’m ready to close my eyes
And I’m ready to turn off the brain
And I’m ready to feel your hand
And lose your head on the burning sand
And I want to be your dog
And I want to be your dog
Here I want to be your dog
Come on
Song quote
The name comes from a situation where you see some girl that you really like, and what is the toughest, but more or less polite thing you can say? Well, hey baby, I want to be your dog!
Ron Ashton, The Stooges
