Laurel Canyon Music

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The Passenger - Iggy Pop (1977)

This LCM classic comes from 1977 and is performed by James Newell Osterberg Jr, who you may know better as Iggy Pop. The lyrics, written by Iggy allegedly aboard Berlin's S-Bahn, have been interpreted as embodying the nomadic spirit of the punk outcast. Guitarist Ricky Gardiner composed the music. While it possesses a distinctive riff, "The Passenger" is perhaps most recognizable by its chorus, on which David Bowie sings back-up. The song is loosely based on a poem by Jim Morrison. 

Iggy's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including rock, hard rock, new wave and pop, jazz, art rock and blues. Though his popularity has fluctuated through the years, many of Iggy's songs have become well-known, including "Lust for Life", "The Passenger", "Real Wild Child", "Candy" (a duet with Kate Pierson of The B-52's), "China Girl", "Nightclubbing", "Search and Destroy" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog".