The Rocker

I Feel Alright (1970)

The Stooges released an excellent 1st lp in 1969 ('The Stooges', produced by John Cale). It was a raw rock 'n' roll album with catch-phrases rather than complete lyrics which made a lot of impression on those who heard it. Obviously, they were influenced by The Velvet Underground (and The Rolling Stones, Troggs) and had nothing to do with flower-power. 'Motor City' Detroit, also home of the MC5, Grand Funk Railroad and Ted Nugent's Amboy Dukes, was no San Francisco. Still, Iggy felt that the 1st lp didn't capture the way they played live. John Cale did a great job demanding real songs from the band but the next lp should sound more powerful. This resulted in one of the most ferocious, uncompromising lp's in rock music, 'Fun House' (1970). While the lp sounded a lot denser and darker than the 1st lp, the lyrics at least seemed more upbeat. On 'The Stooges' Iggy sang "It's another year, For me and you, Another year with nothing to do" ('1969') and "No fun to hang around, Feeling that same old way" ('No Fun'). But during 'Fun House' the band was apparently fully enjoying the trip and Iggy shouted "All night till I blow away, I feel alright, I feel alright" ('1970'). '1970' features a simple and one of the most abrasive guitar riffs ever. A relentless switch between E and G, only to make way for a blistering solo at 1:45. With 'TV eye' this became the best known song of the lp. 'Fun House' wasn't a hit and the band fell apart (but got back together to produce the terrific 'Raw Power' in 1973).


By the time Iggy Pop's solo career took off with 'The Idiot' and 'Lust For Life' a British punk band payed tribute to The Stooges. The Damned sprung from the legendaric London SS (also incl. future members of The Clash and The Sex Pistols). Guitarist and songwriter Brian James loved The Stooges and called '1970', "instant mayhem" (e.g. perfect chaos). While their fast version of The Beatles' 'Help!' was perhaps a bit too 'tongue in cheek', they made serious work of '1970', renamed 'I Feel Alright' (after the subtitle). At the end of the great 'Damned Damned Damned' (said the 1st lp by a British punk band), The Damned race through the song in 4:25, nearly a minute faster than the original. While the meters are perhaps not as much in the red as on 'Fun House', The Damned deliver a terrific, catchy version. If I had to pick one version it would the original because of that buzzing guitar but The Damned really make the song their own. Play them both and spot the differences.

Outta my mind on a Saturday night
1970 rollin' in sight
Radio burnin' up above
Beautiful baby, be my love
All night till I blow away
All night till I blow away
I feel alright
I feel alright
Baby oh baby, burn my heart
Baby oh baby, burn my heart
Fall apart babe, fall apart
Baby oh baby, burn my heart
All night till I blow away
All night till I blow away
I feel alright
I feel alright