The surprising conclusion to a heroic saga features the godfather of punk.
Iggy Pop, often revered as the `Godfather of Punk,` demonstrates a remarkable, perhaps even surprising, resilience within the venerable ranks of classic rock performers. Much like contemporaries such as Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler, the 78-year-old musician continues to exhibit a seemingly inexhaustible supply of creative and physical vigor, once again capturing the attention of an impressed and, frankly, delighted audience.
His ongoing concert tour is a testament to this enduring energy. Currently generating considerable enthusiasm from both long-time fans and critics alike, the tour is a formidable undertaking. It boasts an extensive schedule of sold-out dates stretching through the end of September, encompassing over two dozen concerts at various open-air venues and festivals across Europe, the USA, and South America. Having kicked off in Dublin in early June, Pop`s punk-rock hurricane is sweeping across continents, with a final stop planned for New York`s Under The K Bridge festival later this fall.
Commentators, previously perhaps harboring reservations, now universally laud his performances, highlighting his “charismatic presence,” “overflowing energy,” “excellent physical condition,” and “undiminished eccentricity.” There`s an undeniable respect shown for the `punk elder statesman` and his boundary-pushing antics, especially considering his age. Yet, Pop isn`t merely resting on past glories; he consistently finds the drive and inspiration for new creative endeavors.
One particularly unexpected revelation arrived via the silver screen. The end credits of James Gunn`s latest *Superman* film do not conclude with the customary epic orchestral flourish. Instead, audiences are treated to a lesser-known track featuring Iggy Pop: “Punkrocker,” a collaboration recorded with the Swedish group Teddybears in the mid-2000s.
This specific musical selection by the film`s creators was, apparently, no arbitrary choice. It is reportedly underpinned by a “profound” conceptual link. Throughout the movie, characters engage in discussions exploring the meaning of being a “punk” – a motif intended to serve as a leitmotif and symbolically lead to the concluding song. One might get the distinct impression that these dialogues and mood-setting “hooks” were meticulously, perhaps even *strenuously*, crafted for the sole purpose of shoehorning `ol Iggy into the soundtrack as the grand finale. Instead of a typical celebration of heroism, “Punkrocker” introduces a decidedly different tone, portraying the hero as an outcast, a person “between worlds,” a cultural outsider.
Such a transformation, driven by the narrative and underscored by the music, has befallen Superman. The poor chap, one might think, is clearly vexed by the melancholic wailings of the punk patriarch. The original version of “Punkrocker” featuring Iggy Pop was released on Teddybears` 2006 album *Soft Machine*. The track had a prior version without Pop on their 2000 album *Rock‘n’Roll Highschool*. Pop`s interpretation infused the already somewhat somber track with an even deeper shade of dark, ironic color: industrial rhythms, a palpable punk mood, and vocals imbued with detachment.
Critics have already pointed out that this mood starkly contrasts with the familiar image of Superman as the quintessential symbol of perfection and unwavering optimism. But, as the song seems to imply, and perhaps the film suggests, who`s really having a good time these days?
