Recommendations of the Editorial team
I was 19 or so the first time I heard a Patti Smith record. That was “Horses.” I remember being fascinated by the sound of her voice, the wildness in it. Later, I particularly liked the intellectual and political content of her texts. And I liked her image, that completely unglamorous look with the nail scissors hairstyle.
She is a folk singer, in the same way as Bob Dylan. I liked that she also wrote poetry, painted and took photographs. For her, music wasn’t everything. And she knew what power there was in her image, that she was really sexy and how she could use that in her art.
What Madonna does, Patti has been able to do from the beginning. But Madonna is only ever interested in selling herself. With Patti, on the other hand, I had the feeling that she wanted to give comfort and joy with her things – to me personally. The first words of “Revenge” on the album “Wave” still give me goosebumps: “I feel upset/ Let’s do some celebrating.”
Patti Smith knows that clichés can work
Four or five years ago I played with Garbage at a festival in Athens. Patti was there too and gave me an autograph on a set list: “Power to the people, Patti Smith.” That’s a cliché. But Patti knows that clichés can work. I recently spoke with a boy who refuses to exercise his right to vote on principle. I can understand his point of view, but I also believe that it depends on each individual.
One person can be decisive. When Patti sings “People Have The Power,” it moves me because I know I’m not the only one out there who feels that way. There must be millions she sings for who feel the same way I do.
When I look at the charts today and see which women are selling the most records and getting the most press, I feel really sick. Because all of these women are controlled by male ideas of what a woman should be and what it means to rebel against something.
If Christina Aguilera is seriously viewed as a rebel, we have a huge problem. I’m just glad Patti is still willing to put herself up there and fight. Then I feel less alone.