Some people try to pick up girls

Here’s a song you can play on four strings.

According to Iggy Pop anyway.

I’m not really in any position to question or correct him, so I’ll take him at his word. What I do know is that this is a cracking version of The Modern Lovers’ track. A song that just exudes an essence of cool. Much like the man itself. And if a song ever suited a singer, then it’s this pairing. I can’t imagine Iggy’s ever been called an asshole either. Not seriously anyhow. And if he has, I doubt it bothers him in this slightest. I mean sure, he’s released some dodgy records and some have questioned his appearance in a recent insurance advert but he doesn’t strike me as someone who cares what other people think. Not one bit. After all, he’s Iggy Pop and well, we’re not.

As for the ‘Louie Louie’ cover, well it’s a pretty straightforward if ever so slightly ragged solo version. Not that I’m sure you can actually do anything but a ragged version of this song. I guess its enduring charm comes from its ramshackle nature. Iggy added in his own lyrics lending the song a bit of a political edge at the time but there’s no getting away from the Neanderthal chugging nature of that riff.

Iggy Pop - pablo picaso (Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers Cover Live Session Version)

Iggy Pop - louie louie (Live Session Version) original version appears on 'American Caesar'

mp3 / music / iggy pop