Vulture
LIVING ROOM - Iggy Pop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fat, black vulture
White head hung low
Chewin' dead meat
By the side of the road
His evil breath
Smells just like death
He knows the dances
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture waiting
For a life to end
Proving the prophet
He's nobody's friend
If he gets near
Your bones he'll clear
He'll jump your bandwagon
Till it's your corpse he's draggin'
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture
Vulture
Fat, black vulture
Has got no shame
He'll tell a lie
Cheat, steal, and frame
His poison whiff
Will kill you stiff
This toxic executive
Wants your guts in his grip
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture, ooh
Vulture
Vulture
Vulture
Vulture
Whoa
Oh
The song "Vulture" by Iggy Pop describes the character of a vulture, a bird known for feeding on dead animals, and uses it as a metaphor for the greed and ruthlessness of certain people in positions of power. Iggy Pop sings about a fat, black vulture with a white head who chews on dead meat by the side of the road. The vulture's evil breath smells like death and he knows the dances, indicating that he is cunning and able to manipulate situations to his advantage. The chorus repeats the word "Vulture," emphasizing the character's predatory nature and highlighting the theme of survival of the fittest.
In the second verse, Iggy Pop sings about the vulture waiting for a life to end, proving himself a prophet and nobody's friend. The vulture is willing to do anything to get ahead, even if it means destroying the lives of others. If he gets near, he will jump on your bandwagon and won't stop until he is dragging your corpse. The imagery is violent and disturbing, underscoring the theme of ruthless ambition present throughout the song.
In the final verse, Iggy Pop describes the vulture as having no shame, willing to lie, cheat, steal, and frame to get what he wants. His "poison whiff" will kill you stiff and he wants your guts in his grip, indicating that he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song reinforces the image of the vulture's unyielding, predatory nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Fat, black vulture
This symbolizes the greed and cruelty of certain people in power who prey on the vulnerable ones.
White head hung low
The shame that should come naturally to their actions is not visible in any way, they don't care about their actions or their victims.
Chewin' dead meat
He feeds on the remains of his prey not just to satisfy his appetite but also to prove the power that he possesses.
By the side of the road
The vulture ready to pounce on anyone who is the least bit susceptible, metaphorically comparing it to the people who pray on victims who are helpless or weaker than them.
His evil breath
The cruelty and deceit in his speech, which many people ignore or overlook.
Smells just like death
The stench that surrounds these heartless people who can cause a lot of damage to someone's life and still continue without missing a beat.
He takes no chances
The people who prey on the weak ones have no intention of risking their position, they always keep themselves out of harm's way.
He knows the dances
The strategies and malpractices that these people employ to keep themselves in power, by manipulating and taking advantage of the helpless individuals.
Vulture waiting
This line highlights how the people in power always wait, patiently for the opportunity to prey on the weak and helpless individuals.
For a life to end
These people only benefit from the end of someone's life, and they are ever-ready, on the lookout for possibilities to capitalize on someone's misery.
Proving the prophet
Their actions are self-serving, they only care about their success and power, they are not concerned about anyone else's fate or future.
He's nobody's friend
The reality that their true intentions are solely for their own benefit, they are not here to help anyone, and they will make everything about their own benefit.
If he gets near
This line signifies how they continue to be successful and reap benefits from preying on people who are vulnerable, and they have no qualms about taking it one step further.
Your bones he'll clear
He is not just preying on the susceptible but making sure to leave no remnants that might come back to haunt him later.
He'll jump your bandwagon
The realization that they will never be quite on the front lines, always at a safe distance so that if something goes wrong, they will never take the blame.
Till it's your corpse he's draggin'
The people in authority don't spare anyone that comes in their path and are happy to ruin them if it means a step higher for themselves.
Has got no shame
The absence of a moral compass in these kinds of people, who consider only profits, personal gains, and self-interest amid somebody else's plight.
He'll tell a lie
The reality that lies are a means to an end for these people and they will manipulate the situation to their advantage by any means necessary.
Cheat, steal, and frame
Apart from lying, these people have no qualms about cheating, stealing, and framing someone else who might come in their way or pose a threat to them.
His poison whiff
His devious plans and machinations attract all kinds of hazards, toxics, and malpractices, which he wants to inflict on his victims.
Will kill you stiff
The impact of such actions can be fatal to the victims and can cause irreversible harm that will last a very long time.
This toxic executive
This line talks about a specific kind of predator, those in the higher positions who misuse their power and influence to manipulate people all around them.
Wants your guts in his grip
The people in powers want to manipulate everyone and will stop at nothing until their victims are completely under their control.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Osterberg, Joshua Homme, Dean Fertita
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@philippeceline984
à vous seul
le Mystérieux garçon au pouce doré
peu de gens peuvent me comprendre
autant que vous *
je l’aime de plus en plus votre pouce doré
J’aime aussi votre façon de m’obliger à dépasser mes p'tites limites à me pousser toujours plus loin
et aussi à me remettre en question sur
ce que je veux dire
Vraiment dire
Avec vous
je n’ai aucun répit
aucune certitude
mais j'Aime ça
D'autant qu'avec vous
je n'ai ni routine ni ennui ni chagrin
que la joie de voir votre pouce doré
si souvent présent
et j'aime que vous aimiez
"mon" AMI gentil au pouce DORÉ
je VOUS espère si souvent
Bien à vous
corinne Cl
[you knew it? 'bout 'philippe' C?]
@mnmlstellar
#LYRICS
Here comes Johnny Yen again
With the liquor and drugs
And a flesh machine
He's gonna do another striptease
Hey man, where'd you get that lotion?
I've been hurting since I bought the gimmick
About something called love
Yeah, something called love
Well, that's like hypnotizing chickens
Well, I'm just a modern guy
Of course, I've had it in the ear before
Been on a lust for life
'Cause of a lust for life
I'm worth a million in prizes
With my torture film
Drive a G.T.O.
Wear a uniform
All on a government loan
I'm worth a million in prizes
Yeah, I'm through with sleeping on the sidewalk
No more beating my brains
No more beating my brains
With the liquor and drugs
With the liquor and drugs
Well, I'm just a modern guy
Of course, I've had it in my ear before
'Cause of a lust for life (lust for life)
'Cause of a lust for life (ooh)
I've got a lust for life (ooh)
Got a lust for life (ooh)
Oh, a lust for life (ooh)
Oh, a lust for life (ooh)
A lust for life (ooh)
I got a lust for life (ooh)
Got a lust for life
Well, I'm just a modern guy
Of course, I've had it in my ear before
'Cause of a lust for life
'Cause of a lust for life
Well, here comes Johnny Yen again
With the liquor and drugs
And a flesh machine
I know he's gonna do another striptease
Hey man, where'd ya get that lotion?
Your skin starts itching once you buy the gimmick
About something called love
Oh, love, love, love
Well, that's like hypnotizing chickens
Well, I'm just a modern guy
Of course, I've had it in the ear before
And I've a lust for life (lust for life)
'Cause I've a lust for life (lust for life)
Got a lust for life
Yeah, a lust for life
I got a lust for life
Oh, a lust for life
I got a lust for life
Yeah, a lust for life
I got a lust for life
A lust for life
Lust for life
Lust for life
Lust for life
@guilhermepreviati2517
LYRICS
Here comes Johnny Yen again
With the liquor and drugs
And the flesh machine
He's gonna do another striptease
Hey man where'd you get that lotion?
I been hurting
Since I bought the gimmick
About something called love
Yeah something called love
That's like hypnotizing chickens
Well I am just a modern guy
Of course I've had it in the ear before
'Cause of a lust for life
'Cause of a lust for life
I got a lust for life
I'm worth a million in prizes
With my torture film
Drive a G.T.O
Wear a uniform
All on a government loan
I'm worth a million in prizes
Yeah I'm through with sleeping on the
Sidewalk - no more beating my brains
No more beating my brains
With the liquor and drugs
With the liquor and drugs
Well I am just a modern guy
Of course I've had it in the ear before
'Cause of a lust for life
'Cause of a lust for life
I got a lust for life
I got a lust for life
Lust for life
I got a lust for life
I got a lust for life
Well I am just a modern guy
Of course I've had it in the ear before
I got a lust for life
You know a lust for life
I got a lust for life
Lust for life
Here comes Johnny Yen again
With the liquor and drugs
And the flesh machine
I know he's gonna do another striptease
Hey man where'd you get that lotion?
Your skin starts
Itching once you buy the gimmick
About something called love
Oh love love love
About something called love, called love
Love, love, love
Songwriters: David Bowie / Iggy Pop
@JackM12345100
Iggy Pop eternally:
face of a 50 year old
body of a 30 year old yoga instructor
energy of a 20 year old
One of a kind.
@CringeAnimations69420
A few years later: dog with a stand
@kirby711
One of a kind..
The best kind
@philippeceline984
No ! ... Think twice !... Before "talking taping" "writing" ! you're 3 Billion Miles Beneath your Brain
@ceesdirks9507
More like the energy of a 6 year old. He is just pure emotion, he shows you everything is feeling. He may well be naked up there. He is one talented and crazy singer/ poet and no can take that away from.
@philippeceline984
à vous seul
le Mystérieux garçon au pouce doré
peu de gens peuvent me comprendre
autant que vous *
je l’aime de plus en plus votre pouce doré
J’aime aussi votre façon de m’obliger à dépasser mes p'tites limites à me pousser toujours plus loin
et aussi à me remettre en question sur
ce que je veux dire
Vraiment dire
Avec vous
je n’ai aucun répit
aucune certitude
mais j'Aime ça
D'autant qu'avec vous
je n'ai ni routine ni ennui ni chagrin
que la joie de voir votre pouce doré
si souvent présent
et j'aime que vous aimiez
"mon" AMI gentil au pouce DORÉ
je VOUS espère si souvent
Bien à vous
corinne Cl
[you knew it? 'bout 'philippe' C?]
@agentham
Cleaning out my old room at my mom's house and found my "Choose life" Trainspotting poster behind my door. Good times.
@Sickboy2727
Have one hanging on my wall lol
@kirby711
Agent ham : I'm worth a million in prizes DON'T FORGET IT
@kirby711
Agent Ham : a good time was had by ALL. IGGY knows don't fret my brother