Lust For Life

Energetic bag of skin does tunes.

Iggy's first 2 solo albums are as big a part of the legendary Berlin Years as Bowie's trilogy. Everything Bowie produced for someone else was the best material those artists recorded IMHO. This album has Iggy Pop's best individual songs but I feel it doesn't hold up as well as an album compared to The Idiot.

A full star off for the heavy sexualization of teenagers. The fuckin' 70s, man. 🤮 Lust for Life and The Passenger are definitely the standouts here, and probably the only songs I wanna come back to.

“Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop (1977) Is this the second best thing to come out of a trailer park In Ypsilanti, Michigan? Most of the music (chords, melodies, arrangements) was composed by David Bowie, so you’ve got that going on, then the sad work of The Stooges taken one step further, with lyrics that are an admittedly intelligent mess, blared out by a lead vocal that is, well Iggy Pop. Ho-hum. Vocally, Pop in “The Passenger” channels (poorly) Jim Morrison, but without the sensuality. Vocally, Pop in “Tonight” channels (poorly) David Bowie. Surprise, surprise. And about that lyric, Iggy: If your baby’s turning blue, don’t celebrate your heroic pastoral sensitivity—call 911. Jesus. Modestly accomplished rhythm section that sounds like the offspring of Soupy Sales (they were) and guitar work that is intentionally bombastic to the point of irrelevance (must not upstage the frontman, you see). Here we have the makings of commercial success, though Bowie and Pop (in that order) would probably prefer that motivation remain undisclosed, despite the glimpse we get in “Success”. “Turn Blue” is another reminder that heroin always screws up the music, and in this case, the lyrics too. Punk puts the toxic in toxic masculinity. Someday this will be regarded as silly, but we’re not there yet. 1/5

I think the biggest compliment I could give this album is the fact that I was not at all in the mood for a rock/punk album from the 70's, yet by the time Sixteen came around I was in love with the record. The darker tones of the music made this record age really well, it gives the sound a sort of tongue in cheek sarcasm that goes hand in hand with the rougher production quality. Will be listening again Faves Sixteen Some Weird Sin Fall in Love with Me

Anything Bowie has a hand in is gold.

Fantastic listen. Flows easy while being very catchy and poppy.

It’s ridiculous that I’ve only heard a couple songs off this rad album, and that I’ve never given it a full spin. May the rock gawds shame me! Haha. Bad ass! I repent!! (my penance shall be picking it up on vinyl)

Why does this song about heroin make me want to go on a family friendly cruise? Lots of Bowie. Lyrically driven. Obviously love Lust for Life and The Passenger but Success is another stand out. Each song feels well crafted - lots of thought and love in each track where a significant amount of the other albums we've listened to have an almost self aware amount of filler between stand out tracks. I've always heard Iggy Pop was the man. This album drives that home.

Funny that the generator gave me this back to back with the Stooges. I grew up listening to the eponymous track, though I think the lyrics went over my head as a kid. It's striking me on this listen how Bob Dylan-esque the lyrics and delivery are, with the rambling lyrics and Iggy's whine. An energetic tune that doesn't tire, much like Iggy's "lust for life." Didn't realize Bowie wrote that one! Moving on to "Sixteen." He really sounds like Bowie on this one. Slightly creepy love song, could be construed as tongue-in-cheek/ironic, especially given that Iggy wrote it. The creepy factor is enhanced by the dissonant riff in the background. "Some Weird Sin" -- a great way to describe that last song! This one is fun and glammed out. The Rocky Horror Picture Show of it all. I really like the instrumentation on this one as well as the harmonies. Favorite track so far! Traveling seamlessly into the classic: "The Passenger." Another one I grew up with -- this song fills me with nostalgia. Now that I'm really processing the collaboration on this album with Bowie, it seems this album is about Iggy's "cultural passenger" status in relation to Bowie, who became much more of a household name. (Side note: listen to Siouxsie Sioux's version if you have not!) Moving to the epic introduction of "Tonight." The theatrics of this one is just the perfect amount I like, not too much, not too little! Really unique love song about serenading an overdosing lover. This album appears to get increasingly glammier, as we move to "Success." A fun track characterized as the throwaway song on the album, but still catchy. The call and response between Iggy and then Bowie musically subverts the message of "The Passenger," as Bowie follows and repeats Iggy's line. The album appears to break down on "Turn Blue," in which Iggy goes into full heroin-afflicted ramble. There's a mix of almost intelligible and illogical musings related to religion, sexuality, and race. It seems that they're only meant to be taken seriously on the level of "yeah - this guy's on something!" During this time apparently, Iggy was struggling to kick his heroin addiction while in Germany with Bowie. With this context and with the beautiful instrumentation, "Turn Blue's" almost seven minutes helps us get a sense of what Iggy was going through. "Neighborhood Threat" inherits some of the Stooges' darker, slightly fuzzed guitar sound. The lyrics seem to focus on the periphery of the city, the unhoused, the hungry, the addicted. Iggy asks if, after seeing someone in this state, will you still bet against them? He highlights the reality of a society built against them, perhaps illuminating his fear as a recovering heroin addict. Finally, we reach "Fall in Love With Me," a track I already know and really like. I didn't know, however, that this album closer came about when the session musicians all decided to swap instruments and jam. A sort of light-hearted ending that shows we can create great things with our friends and companions: a potential thematic summary of Bowie and Pop's personal and professional relationship.

Never mind The Stooges, this is peak era Iggy, well on record at least. Iggy and Bowie is the dream team innit. I would have thought The Idiot and the Berlin Trilogy are all on this list as well which says a lot about how creative these two were during that period.

Goes from a bit abrasive to smooth seamlessly, loving it

Iggy’s best work imo. Really manages to keep the raw energy of his earlier work while refining his approach to make it more assertive and assessable

basically just sounds like a bunch of throwaway bowie songs, down to iggy pop's vocal presence sounding like a bowie impression. it's certainly... 70s rock. read a lot of people praising the passenger, which is basically the most boring song. this album is basically like heroes or low but shittier. people compare bowie's collaborations with iggy pop to his collaborations with lou reed, but at least lou has his own voice and identity. the things i've enjoyed about iggy pop's music before (namely his work with the stooges) is the spontaneity of the music, the raw and brutal nature of it all, which this album eschews for dull 70s rock sheen. turn blue starts with an irritating impression of lou reed to add insult to injury. and then he starts making annoying noises. what is this song?! neighborhood threat might be the best song... but again, it's because pop is just doing a fucking david bowie impression!

Sixteen is a bad song in basically every way. The lyrics are weird, the production is not enjoyable and the song is boring. Some Weird Sin sounds like a mediocre David Bowie song. I think the production is intentionally messy but I don't really like it all that much. The Passenger is okay but I still find it boring. I think Tonight is one of the best songs on the album and the guitar solo is really good. Success is good but not all that interesting. Turn Blue is kind of good but the vocals are kind of annoying. Neighborhood Threat and Fall In Love With Me are good but not all that interesting or memorable. My rating is definitely a little harsh but I just think this album is pretty boring and at just 41 minutes it was hard to get through. Favorite Songs: Lust For Life, Tonight Least Favorite Song: Sixteen Strong 4/10

On this album we explore more about Iggys pedo tendencies.

All throughout I was thinking "this guy is doing a pretty great Bowie impression" and, lo and behold, the man's fingerprints are all over this album. Therefore it gets top marks. Brill.

"Lust for Life" is the second solo studio album by Iggy Pop. It was recorded in collaboration with David Bowie after they were on tour to support his previous album "The Idiot." It was also recorded in Berlin as Iggy and Bowie were trying to get clean battling drug addictions. The writing, recording and mixing only took eight days as Iggy was trying to emulate Bowie's quick pace and was more involved in the music writing. Bowie had pretty much written most of the music for "The Idiot." The music was noted as being more Stooges-like and rocking than his previous album. I'll definitely agree with that on the side one songs. There's a pace and groove that rocks. I also think using his touring band helped as they are very tight. The band was Iggy (vocals), Bowie (keyboards), Ricky Gardiner (guitar), Carlos Alomar (guitar), Tony Fox (bass) and Hunt Sales (drums). "Lust for Life" start the album off strong with the drum beat and guitar. A pounding groove. Melody doubled by the instruments. The song was inspired by Morse code used by the American Forces Network News in Berlin. It's upbeat but the lyrics have a theme of you need to lust for life to keep from killing yourself (to me). "Sixteen" is where I really heard The Stooges. Iggy screaming. Edgy guitar. I think simply just lusting after a girl. "The Passenger" has just a great, great guitar melody. Those chords were written by guitarist Ricky Gardiner. The song was inspired by a Jim Morrison poem...modern life as a journey by car. A haunting sounding song especially with the backing vocals and chorus. The second side begins with "Success." You can hear the Bowie influence here with his keyboards and backing vocals. It's upbeat and has a 70's Bowie soulful feel. Iggy continues the 70's soul going in "Turn Blue." Igyy singing, screaming, talking. It's about heroin. The music is sort of bluesy. The album closer is "Fall in Love With Me" and has a groovy feel with the keyboards and organ. Interesting guitar..almost a separate guitar solo going on in addition the keyboard driven melody and rhythm. I think Iggy just lusting after a girl...again. This is a very, very good album. A decent variety of styles; some songs are straight-forward rock, the second side seems more Bowie soul-influenced and then you have two of his best songs in "Lust for Life" and "The Passenger." A high recommendation.

Fantastic album by Iggy, definitely his best. I can feel Bowie's hand on the whole thing, which is definitely not a bad thing. Hell, in some places it almost sounds like Bowie's singing (and I'm not talking about the parts where Bowie is ACTUALLY doing backing vocals). I was most familiar with the songs 'Lust for Life' and 'The Passenger,' but I'd have a hard time picking out a weak song in the album. 'Sixteen' somehow manages to keep the pace after 'Lust for Life.' 'Tonight' starts out with this triumphant, choir-like music that makes it feel larger than life. 'Turn Blue' is weird but, like Bowie, Iggy makes weird work in his favor. Just all around five stars outta five.

Two of the biggest music powerhouses of their time, arguably at the peak of their creativity, collaborating once again on what is easily Iggy’s best album. The raw power of The Stooges work may be fading, but Pop still has the juice when he wants it. His worst impulses being reigned in by Bowie is what keeps this album flying though, and pushes his sound into territory Pop likely wouldn’t have explored on his own. The balance between the two is perfect, and the results speak for themselves. Hard not to enjoy an album when the opener is Lust for Life.

Wow how have I missed this. Not just the hits, but the Bowie collaboration which led to Bowie’s “Tonight” album, and the last track with Hunt and Tony Sales which leads right to Tin Machine!

Absolutely a classic. Obviously I had heard the title track, but mostly not the rest of the album. It's all great. Iggy deserves fame for sure. On a whim, I listened to Lana Del Rey's album by the same name, and it is absolutely fantastic. Obviously she has the benefit of 40 years of advancements in technology, and no doubt a lot more funding. But damn, hers was better.

Lust for Life I remember having a best of Iggy and the Stooges CD which had Lust for Life and The Passenger as the sole representatives of this album, so consequently I know nothing of the rest of it. Lust for Life and The Passenger are great of course, brilliant bits of late 70s rock, Lust for Life’s 50s-ish rock n roll feel with Iggy’s drawling, punkish charisma is a great combination. I’ve never so closely listened to The Passenger before and there is some excellent guitar under the vocals in the 2nd half. And of course it’s a great song with a fantastic sense of woozy, vaguely sinister momentum. I know it was a different time but why were people in the 60s and 70s obsessed with singing about 16 year old girls? Sixteen adds to that canon, and from 45 years later it does feel a bit icky. Some Weird Sin is ok, but the guitar licks feel a bit cheesy. The bass and drums are excellent throughout, and when Carlos Alomar plays lead it's good, but there’s something about Ricky Gardiner’s tone and playing that sometimes feels a bit dated. For a Bowie-produced and co-written album it feels like he generally only has a faint spectral hand in matters, apart from the backing vocals and, of course, Tonight and then the excellently melodramatic Turn Blue (even though it definitely sounds like Iggy’s singing I Shat Myself Down). Success is fine, pretty catchy and the backing vocals are very good. Neighbourhood Threat feels like a pre Post-Punk New Wave track, and has a nice simmering slightly malevolent quality. Rhythmically Fall in Love with Me is great, and it has a real Station to Station/Lodger feel to it, a great closing track Not quite sure where this sits, it has some absolute bangers in Lust for Life, The Passenger and Tonight, and great tracks in Turn Blue, Neighbourhood Threat and Fall in Love With Me, but Sixteen, Some Weird Sin and Success are a little underwhelming in comparison, and there’s something about the whole thing I find doesn’t quite grab me fully. It’s clearly a very good album, but it’s probably on the cusp of 3 and 4, and based on how often I might want to revisit, I think I’ll settle on 3. 🍾🍾🍾 Playlist submission: The Passenger

I already knew the song with the same name, I enjoy it. The whole album is good, but not life changing for me, probably at the time it was very liked.

### 1. **Rhythmic Drive and Production Techniques** - **Pulsating Rhythm and Motorik Beat**: The rhythm of tracks like "Lust for Life" is famously driven by the "motorik" beat—a steady, repetitive rhythm reminiscent of Krautrock. It relies on a relentless kick-snare pattern that propels the song forward, providing a hypnotic feel. As a producer, you might appreciate how this rhythmic base offers a constant, high-energy pulse that contrasts beautifully with Iggy Pop’s dynamic vocal delivery. - **Production Insight**: The use of a dry, non-reverberant drum recording—characteristic of the late 70s—was likely a choice made to give a sense of immediacy and a raw, almost live feel. The balance between room ambience and tight mic'ing is crucial here, achieving an intimate yet forceful sound. ### 2. **Harmonic Simplicity and Energy** - **Limited Harmonic Range**: The harmonic content of "Lust for Life" is deceptively simple, often revolving around just a couple of chords. For instance, the title track essentially builds on a repeating I-IV progression (C to F). This simplicity gives room for the driving rhythm and vocal performance to shine without competing harmonic complexity. - **Writing Perspective**: For a songwriter, this minimalistic harmonic approach shows how repetition can create tension and excitement when combined with dynamic lyrics and changes in arrangement. Using limited chord changes can be effective in driving a song's energy without it becoming harmonically overbearing. ### 3. **Use of Modal Mixture** - **Mixing Major and Minor Influences**: Tracks like "The Passenger" use modal mixture to create an interesting and slightly unsettling mood. The song is mostly based in a minor mode but occasionally incorporates major chords that offer a sense of resolution or brightness, which feels unexpected in an otherwise dark soundscape. This technique adds complexity to the emotional experience of the song. - **Theoretical Application**: The use of both major and minor tonalities reflects Iggy Pop’s themes of existential exploration. For a writer, it's worth noting how the music’s tonal shifts mirror lyrical moods, providing a deeper narrative link between harmony and storytelling. ### 4. **Melodic Line and Vocal Performance** - **Angular, Speak-Sung Vocals**: Iggy Pop’s vocals are almost spoken in parts, which creates a sense of storytelling more than singing. His vocal delivery is not about technical perfection but raw emotion and connection. Melodically, there are many jumps and large intervals that give an angular and dynamic feel to the vocal lines, especially in "Neighborhood Threat." - **Engineering Techniques**: To achieve the necessary emphasis on Iggy's voice, the engineering relies on light compression to keep the vocals forward without overpowering the mix. A subtle plate reverb adds depth, but the vocal remains mostly dry, keeping it intimate. ### 5. **Bassline and Groove** - **Melodic Basslines**: In tracks like "Lust for Life," the bassline serves a melodic function and carries much of the song's movement. The prominent and catchy bass riff serves as a hook, which is crucial in the song's memorable nature. The bass often takes on a role usually reserved for a lead guitar, driving the melody. - **Production Note**: The use of minimal EQ and a slightly driven DI signal allows the bass to retain its melodic clarity while still locking in rhythmically with the drums. This creates a cohesive groove that keeps listeners engaged. ### 6. **Layering and Dynamics** - **Sparse Instrumentation and Dynamic Growth**: The arrangements in "Lust for Life" often start sparse, then gradually build by layering guitars, piano, or additional percussion elements, creating a dynamic arc throughout the track. This arrangement technique helps to keep a relatively simple progression engaging over several minutes. - **Arrangement Technique**: The gradual layering of elements showcases how to effectively manage dynamics in an arrangement. Each new layer adds a subtle shift in texture and energy, which is a powerful tool for keeping the listener’s interest across repetitive structures. ### 7. **Influence of David Bowie** - **Bowie’s Synth and Harmonization**: The influence of co-producer David Bowie is apparent in the synth textures and vocal harmonies. The synths often act as pads that subtly fill the space without taking away from the rhythm section's drive. - **Engineering and Writing Insight**: As a producer, note how the synths were likely filtered to remove low-end content, allowing them to sit above the mix without clashing with the bass. Harmonically, Bowie’s harmonies often add unexpected color, like major 7ths or suspensions, contributing to the album’s distinctive, sophisticated edge. ### 8. **Song Form and Energy** - **Loose, Almost Improvised Feel**: Many of the songs have a loose structure, which adds to the punk ethos of the album. The form is sometimes unpredictable, giving the sense that the music is spontaneous, which serves the raw energy of the record well. - **Writer's Perspective**: This approach is a great reminder that rigid adherence to traditional song forms isn't always necessary. Breaking away from verse-chorus norms can create an element of surprise and authenticity in music, which listeners often find refreshing. These elements collectively create the distinctive energy of "Lust for Life," blending simplicity with unexpected harmonic twists, and raw vocal energy with rhythmic drive. The album’s success is as much about the performances and production choices as it is about the underlying music theory.

Lust for Life and The Idiot both sound very much like Bowie albums in disguise and are great Iggy Pop albums. Presumably The Idiot is also on the list - both illustrate the enormous difference in quality between albums on the list over time. (Would also be appropriate if Blah-Blah-Blah is on the list too but I suppose it is not.)

Absolutely wonderful.

Classic album. 'The Passenger' is such a great song.

An album bursting with energy and confidence. Iggy Pop sounds like a man who’s survived chaos and now dances on the ruins. You get swept up by the raw, rebellious rock attitude, especially in the iconic title track and the moody The Passenger. David Bowie’s influence is unmistakable in the arrangements and atmosphere, adding an extra layer of brilliance. A ragged, yet magnificent classic. 4/5

8.5/10 A really fantastic album I was sure I'd listened to before but seemingly never have in full. Definitely one to add to the rotation and even buy on vinyl because it's a zero skip album and I could easily imagine it growing on me on subsequent listens. At high volume it's even kind of dancy - had a little boogie in the kitchen with Moon. Highlights include The Passenger (of course), Tonight and Fall In Love WIth Me Listens: 2

Fun album with some surprises!

Pretty fun album, but I think I like the full Stooges meal better than Iggy-a-la-carte. Some really catchy guitar hooks just squeak this out a fourth star from me.

Apparently I didn't like Iggy Pop's "The Idiot" very much a few months ago. But "Lust for Life" was better. The first five songs were great - I don't think I ever realized "The Passenger" was Iggy. "Success" was the least successful song on the album for me, but the rest was strong, and definitely makes me much more likely to revisit Iggy than "The Idiot."

Iggy at his most focused and flat-out rockin' post-Stooges. Rock and roll!

This album gets 3 stars for The Passenger by itself. The other tracks are classic Iggy. I feel connected to Iggy because, so I'm told, he lived in the same apartment in Ann Arbor that I did.

A special album, to my opinion. Nice to have heard once more. I used to have this album on a cassette. With some special songs Lust for life, Passenger and Tonight. This last song I also love very much performed live by David Bowie and Tina Turner. I found out that the link to David Bowie and the song Tonight lies in the production of Davis Bowie of Iggy Pop.

Lust for life is A+. Passenger is A-. Rest of the album is a B.

Random thoughts: * I still crack up when I see Lust For Life used as a commercial song for Carnival Cruises? I wish they had kept the liquor and rugs line in there. * This was less punk and more pop/melodic than I expected. * I really like the track "The Passenger". I'm shocked to see it is his number one streamed song at 435 million, while "Lust For Life" is only at 165 million. Someone needs to explain this.

Rough sleeper music. Tough and edgy because it could have its head kicked in any minute. Heard it not just as the collapse of the 60s dream but of the Bretton Woods agreement, which may be the same thing.

Legendary album by a legendary artist. Blueprint for so many punk bands by music and attitude.

in my cursory glances across Esteemed journalistic tentpoles such as wikipedia and the fucking allmusic blurb, it seems that a sort of general consensus is that this record features a Less present David Bowie than the last. now, i haven't heard the idiot, but i found this pretty funny because this thing has Bowie all over it. in song structure and composition—even given my admittedly limited experience with Bowie's music—i was just constantly feeling the man's influence. that's certainly not a bad thing, to be clear. i don't even mean to diminish Iggy's Own influence on his Own album; the guy who Wants To Be My Dog is still definitely here. if anything, it's that melding of minds that's the whole appeal: the ramshackle proto-punker known for self-harming on stage and the careful, calculated art rocker who makes concept albums about aliens or whatever the shit. i like it. i was, of course, already familiar with our title track and the passenger, staples of soundtracks, rock radio, and commercials for, fuckin, i don't know. shaving cream, or something. i’d always had a soft spot for both songs. lust for life as an opener is just a great hype machine; it’s a riff and a drum beat that will outlive every single one of us and continue to sell many an OverPriced Cruise Ship or Vacation Destination from now until the day the fucking bombs drop. the passenger's iconic, for sure. the big revelation of punk, i think, is that soul-crushing ennui feels a lot better when you're flashing a smug smirk. bored and self-assured. it's a pretty striking track. sixteen is about exactly what you'd think it'd be about, and we're moving on. the rest of the a-side is strong too. i found myself getting really into some weird sin and tonight, both of which are extremely Bowie. what a surprise. b-side's good, a lot looser. i like neighborhood threat. gave me a god damn heart attack because i thought it was gonna be don't fear the reaper, inexplicably. nope. there are just so many arpeggios in the world. i got horny for nothing. i promise i didn't take it personally. turn blue is this extremely uncomfortable rambling mess. it's about heroin. a lot of things are about heroin. it's definitely evocative and dramatic and it works in the album. you're probably never going to play just turn blue. you're probably never going to be in the mood to Only play turn blue. kinda the same with the closer, fall in love with me, which is cloying and leering and desperate and horny. i like songs like that. it's not bad. it does say the word "young" ten entire times. it Damn sure does. rock n' roll. you can only shrug and sigh. good stuff, as a whole! i'm glad to get around to it. this is the kind of thing i've seen on best of lists and topsters and last.fm and fucking 4chan dot org charts and All That Crap for years but never actually sat down and listened to, and very likely never would have, knowing my general taste and listening habits. the first example of such a record in this project for me, and it certainly won't be the last.

Lust for Life was a big hit...and a way to sell Carnival cruises. Sell out or no, it's a good song. Sixteen is like the Pixies or Dinosaur Jr. ten years before either of them made it big. The Passenger is great. This album is really good. A lot of alternative rock from the late 80s and 90s owes a lot to Iggy Pop and the Stooges. And Iggy Pop clearly owes David Bowie something which is never more clear than on Tonight. Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground too. He kind of sounds like Lou Reed. Fall In Love With Me is another great song, a lot of good album tracks here.

Seriously what an album. Iggy at his peak, Bowie at his peak. Goddamn it, so alive and perfect

one of my favorite records- must find a vinyl

I thought I knew what I was getting into with this one, generally speaking. I didn't know shit! What an interesting record. One of my very exclusive 5-star ratings!

Clasikker

Klassiker

Alt er bra. Alt.

This is makin me wanna run down some random street in Scotland while high on heroin

The second of Pop’s collabs with Bowie and it’s much more Pop than Bowie this time around. Title track is an all time banger, but this one keeps it up through its 40 minute runtime.

I mean this is Iggy fucking Pop and he is collaborating with David Bowie. How could it be bad? . Much more poppy that his work with the Stooges, but there are still songs with that raw energy. Other songs, perhaps do to the more poppy focus have some seriously fun books. I listened to this album on the way to an amusement park with my family, a great way to start a great day.

One of my favorites, during a great era with Bowie. Love the flow of this album and how it never overstays its welcome. Great rock album

Iggy’s best solo record. A lot of Bowie influences since Bowie produced it but that’s not a bad thing.

🎶 Album #1: Lust for Life – Iggy Pop (1977) We kicked things off with a bang—and a Bowie. Lust for Life isn’t just an album; it’s a collision of raw punk energy, existential dread, and glam-soaked swagger. Iggy Pop had cleaned up (for a minute), Bowie was producing in Berlin, and together they created something electric and uneasy. ✨ Highlights + Hot Takes: • Lust for Life opens with that drumbeat and feels like a rebirth by force—manic, pulsing, and unrelenting. • The Passenger still slaps. Eternal. Cool. Untouchable. Feels like watching your life unfold from the backseat. • Success is a sarcastic party anthem, all sneer and cheer, like Iggy’s flipping off the industry with a grin. • Turn Blue drags us into the void—spoken word, despair, slow bleed. A descent. • Neighborhood Threat stalks the alleyways—tense and twitchy with Bowie lurking in the background. • Fall in Love with Me ends the album with a murmur, not a bang. It’s seductive, creepy, and quietly devastating. 📀 This isn’t just proto-punk—it’s a survival album. Iggy clawing his way out, one track at a time.

Amazing album full of raw energy!! Iggy at his finest!

I listened to this album on the return journey from Costco with a trunk full of meats and the backseats were occupied with 7 20L bags of cat litter. What does this have to do with Iggy Pop and "Lust For Life"? Not much, probably. A fantastic album though.

Exciting, lively, classic

Fantastic album. I never really listened to Iggy Pop before and I was missing out. Great album!

Pure classic

here we go. I like Iggy better with Bowie and without the Stooges. a legendary album – maybe I'm biased because I'm a fan of Bowie's sound, but it has several iconic songs and I like the more experimental, stream-of-consciousness Turn Blue as well. and it only gets more enjoyable after a few listens

5/9

Titeltrack en "The Passenger" natuurlijk klassiekers. Wat de rest van de plaat betreft: "Sixteen", "Some Weird Sin" - Prima "Tonight" - Beter dan de latere Bowie-versie met Tina Turner. "Success" - Had een tijdloze hit van de Stones kunnen zijn. "Turn Blue"- Beetje een Bowie/Velvet Underground-achtige ballad, wel wat aan de lange kant. Daarna nog twee heel degelijke afsluiters, vier of vijf sterren, dat bedenk ik morgen nog even, maar ik neig naar vijf.

So seemingly primitive on its surface, this is one of those albums that just haven't been replicated since it was recorded. I'm sure having Bowie at the decks helps, but this is raw atmosphere. A classic.

Every song a banger.

It's Iggy and Bowie, the god & the goat

Great album, tunes and lyrics, thx!

Brother, I need this on vinyl, expeditiously, like the awful hipster that I am.

da da da duh duh duh duh da da da da

This is Iggy at his best with David Bowie producing. I am here for all of it.

Passenger and Lust for Life alone make this iconic - best opening to an album ever? Only another 990 albums to prove me otherwise

Iggy IS punk.

Doesn’t get much cooler than Iggy Pop

This record was recorded quickly and, in the most positive way, it sounds like it. It’s Iggy sounding like his proto punk self, sometimes dark as in Passenger, sometimes brimming with the defiant energy of the survivor beyond the odds as on Lust for Life. It’s more an authentic Iggy Pop record than The Idiot, which was arguably as much Bowie’s project as his. You can hear his musical character and lyrical personality coming across with the kind of raw immediacy that made The Stooges such an important band in punk history. Add the way that Pop is so much more coherent and present than he was on the Stooge albums and you’ve got probably the best work of his career. It’s more an authentic Iggy Pop record than The Idiot, which was arguably as much Bowie’s project as his. You can hear his musical character and lyrical personality coming across with the kind of raw immediacy that made The Stooges such an important band in punk history. Add the way that Pop is so much more coherent and present than he was on the Stooge albums and you’ve got probably the best work of his career.

Heard before, still brilliant!

Old classic from teen years

4.5

I'd hit that

Truly is the godfather of punk. Didn't know his game before. Passenger sounds like one of Green Day's songs?

What a great album. I only knew Lust for Life and The Passenger but there were a lot of other really good songs on this album. Another one of those albums that I probably should have listened to before now but had never got round to. I was aware of the Bowie, Lou Reed and Iggy connection and you can hear Bowie’s influence on this just like with Lou Reed’s Transformer album. The Berlin years have thrown up some good listens on this list. Will definitely be giving this a relisten and exploring Iggy further.

This was my first time listening to this album and I loved it. All of the songs were amazing with some particular standout tracks like "Lust For Life" and "Sixteen". Overall, really phenomenal.

Classic!!!

I have not listened to this album in a long time, I forget how hard this album rocks, every track is a banger. Just banger after banger. 5 stars easy.

Excellent album by Iggy. I can definitely hear Bowie's hand in this. Yet it works so well with Iggy's brand of punk. Always a favorite of mine.

Never listened to Iggy Pop before. Delightful. Clever lyrics, great melodies, catchy guitar riffs, and real punk spirit. Great. The producer work of David Bowie also shines through without cramping Iggy's style.

To me, this is a classic, seminal album. It is, of course, a collaboration with Bowie and Pop, but it was also a sort of "comeback" album for Iggy Pop and showed even more range, which has benefited him to this day. It's hard to say where Iggy's career would have gone without Bowie stepping in and without both The Idiot and Lust for Life, but I feel all signs point to "not very good." However, I think every album on this album is great or at least very good, it feels cohesive, and it doesn't outstay its welcome.

Interesting that this comes fairly hot on the heels of listening to his first album. That was a revelation in itself. My mother was always a huge Iggy Pop fan. Soon after listening to The Idiot my mother and I were in a taxi with a Muso taxi driver, and when I told them both that Iggy did the original version of China girl, they were both very surprised. And then my mother broke out into a brilliant menacing impersonation of Iggy doing said song which made the cabbie and me laugh uncontrollably. And then Iggy‘s second album pops up which was always a staple in our house in the 70s and 80s. My mother even looked a bit like the cover pic at one stage with that huge smile and pixie haircut. The songs are so ingrained into my subconscious and each song evokes a memory, even before Trainspotting popularised the title track. I don’t think any of the songs have lost their lustre, although the youthful lust for life that we all had may have tarnished. I’m not sure the whole listening experience is quite a 5 now but for the holistic vibe and nostalgia and that Iggy will always be synonymous with my mother dancing round the room he has full marks.

I've tried listening to this before, but for whatever reason, other than the title track and The Passenger, nothing quite clicked. Until today. Damn I loved this. Bowie's production is so easily identifiable, especially that drum sound he gets. Reminds of his work with Mott the Hoople. The song Tonight had the same bass sound from Heroes. Loved it. This was a perfect blend of Stooges and Bowie for me. Fantastic. I guess I need to revisit The Idiot, since everyone else liked it more than me.

Quite similar sound but each one is slightly different. Upbeat and a good rhythm. The singing style def compliments the rhytnm

Another album with a distinct holistic sound with each track instantly memorable and individual and still serving the whole. Like with the Stooges, Iggy is capable of rocking harder than anybody without cranking the volume or the speed. Masterfully dirty without much obscenity - what is the weird sin? What does it mean to have it in the ear? The imagination runs rampant. Jesus, this is Iggy...

Drum beats to bop to Memorable guitar licks Raucous rocking fun

I’m pretty sure Iggy pop is the shit… kinda punk, kinda David Bowie, kinda weird and original. Top 3 lust for life, passenger, fall in love with me

mito

As the title says.

he used to sing "the passenger" and now the first album that shows up is the one with that song in it..

Iggy is and always has been the clearest definition of what "rock star" is to me. The man exudes confidence and raw power... And this album proves just how effortless his approach to delivering these rock classics is.

Lust for Life completes the perfect yin-yang duality with The Idiot: where the latter dwelled in Berlin's mechanical shadows, the former explodes with solar energy as Iggy and Bowie strike an alchemical balance between primal abandon and artistic discipline, creating a transcendent work where destruction and creation dance in perfect, vital harmony.

Gave me a lust for life

G’wan Iggy! ‘He’s not dead, Tommy saw him last year’ - classic line in Trainspotting!

Why do I like Iggy so much?!

This album is a masterpiece. 3 songs in I was like: "Man this feels like a Bowie album" and I was right. Bowie produced it and wrote most of the songs. And honestly, this may be my favorite thing Bowie has worked on. There are literally no misses here. It's soooo good. Iggy Pop definitely has a similar vibe to Bowie so this works so well. Maybe it's just a little heavier? The entire album sounds like my favorite Bowie songs. LOVED Songs: Every one except for "Turn Blue"