“Gimme Danger” by Iggy and the Stooges

“Gimme Danger” is a song whose lyrics have been interpreted in various colorful ways. But comprehensively put, what it seems Iggy Pop is speaking to is something like being smitten by a toxic lady. And this is one of those pieces which uses the analogy of getting high, and even the singer being sick to get that point across.

And the way the story reads, using a bit of imagination, is that he comes across a romantic interest – that being the addressee – whom he is thoroughly infatuated with. The implication would be that the two of them do proceed to hook up. And by the time all is said and done the addressee has run his emotions ragged.

But based on the title as used in the chorus, the further implication would be that Iggy was well such could happen even beforehand, i.e. recognizing the addressee as a “wild little stranger”. So basically, despite acknowledging that this girl may be someone he shouldn’t get involved with, the vocalist does so anyway. As such the thesis sentiment revolves around his more-than-willingness to make the addressee his girlfriend regardless of her toxicity, due to his strong attraction to her.

Iggy and the Stooges

Iggy and the Stooges (also known simply as The Stooges) was a legendary rock band from Michigan that was fronted by Iggy Pop. The act’s formation dates back to the late-1960s,. Between then and the early aughts, they managed to put out five studio albums, as well as dropping a plethora of live and studio LPs throughout the years.

“Gimme Danger”

“Gimme Danger” is from The Stooges third studio album, “Raw Power”, a project that hit the shelves on 7 February 1973. And the label that backed it is Columbia Records.

Apparently this song was released as a single in Spain in 1999. But it doesn’t have a chart history to speak of. Yet “Gimme Danger” still seems to be a fan favorite – for instance a 2016 documentary on The Stooges being named after this track. And it was also featured on the soundtrack of a Will Smith film that came out the year prior entitled Focus.

Iggy Pop wrote this song with one of his Stooges’ bandmates, guitarist James Williamson. Iggy also produced the track, in that regard working alongside fellow music icon David Bowie (1947-2016).