She’s had her moments, both controversial and powerful. But one can’t deny that Patti Smith knows how to write an authentic rock song. We’re particular fans of the following four Patti Smith songs, and we’d be bold enough to say she’s continuously influenced the world of rock music with these stunning tunes. Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. “Peaceable Kingdom”
This later-career work from the 2004 album Trampin’ proves that Patti’s still got it. This album is packed from beginning to end with excellent works, but one notable standout track is “Peaceable Kingdom”. There’s a beautiful balance to this song’s lyrics, but the whole of the album is a well-orchestrated effort from Smith. We’d say it’s essential listening, along with Horses.
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2. “Gloria”
There are many Patti Smith songs from her debut album Horses from 1975 that are worthy of a place on this list. That being said, there’s something about “Gloria” that is just so different. “Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine” has become a punk rock mantra in the years since the song’s release. Despite the fact that “Gloria” is a mashup of a Van Morrison song and a poem by Smith, the sum of the song’s parts feels so completely original and uniquely Patti Smith.
3. “Redondo Beach”
Another excellent song from Horses, “Redondo Beach” is one of Smith’s most chaotic pieces of work. It’s an exciting, delightful song on an otherwise serious-leaning album. Even if you’re not close to Smith’s age, she manages to invoke a sense of nostalgia in this song that will bring most people back to a particular time, likely during adolescent summers on a beach.
4. “People Have The Power”
This politically charged track leans toward the protest song label. And we doubt Smith would have a problem with that. “People Have The Power” from 1988 has a sense of unity to it that had more or less fallen out of favor in the 1980s, but Smith decided to keep it alive. “People have the power to redeem the work of fools / Upon the meek the graces shower / It’s decreed, the people rule” is pure poetry.
Photo by Robert Mapplethorpe
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