"The Passenger" was inspired by a Jim Morrison poem that saw "modern life as a journey by car", as well as rides on the Berlin S-Bahn, according to Pop's former girlfriend Esther Friedmann. The lyrics have also been interpreted as "Iggy's knowing commentary on Bowie's cultural vampirism". The music, a "laid-back ... springy groove", was composed by guitarist Ricky Gardiner. It was released as the B-side of the album's first single "Success". Characterized by AllMusic as "a glorious throwaway" and by "Rolling Stone" as "an infectious throwaway", "Success" was a light-hearted track of the call and response variety.