How to absolutely ruin a Patti Smith song.
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Patti Smith
GaiaClaire — 19 years ago(December 11, 2006 08:47 AM)
Have you ever learned of the story or meaning behind a Patti Smith song and totally hated yourself for it because you couldn't think of the song in the same way? Once, I was on a Smith website that basically had a "story behind the songs" section.
Um..if you're like me, I'll say that this is sort of a SPOILER now.
I opened it up and the first one I read was that "Break It Up" alluded to Jim Morrison. I immediately x'ed out of the site. It totally ruined it for me! I don't even know if it was actually true or not, but at that moment, "Break it Up" ceased to be as fantastical and as EPIC as it was in my head. All I can think of is Jim Morrison now when I hear the song. I'll NEVER make that mistake again. I can't image a song like "Birdland" or "Horses" being ruined that way. I don't want it to make a lick of sense! (other than what I make it out to be)
Oh, goodbye mama. I'll never do dishes again. -
sarahfrankenstein — 19 years ago(February 11, 2007 08:51 AM)
I totally agree with you about "Birdland" and "Horses" not making ANY sense, but still being fantastic. They don't need to make sense to be great.
But have you ever listened to the 2005 live "Break it Up" version on the double "Horses" album? Patti rants on about the dream she had of Jim Morrison that lead to the song "Break it Up" and it is so poetic, I love it. I loved that song more after I heard that version.
What do you have against Jim Morrison?! -
GaiaClaire — 19 years ago(March 06, 2007 12:04 PM)
Hey! Nothin' against Jim Morrison he was great

Its just that by the song being attributed to one particular thing is what ruined it for menot the fact that it was about Jim Morrison.
I don't have the double Horses albumI'll track it down though.
Oh, goodbye mama. I'll never do dishes again.