Patti Smith Quotes

A collection of quotes by Patti Smith.

Patti Smith is a highly influential American singer-songwriter, poet, and visual artist. Born on December 30, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Smith gained prominence in the 1970s as a key figure in the New York City punk rock movement. Known for her raw, unapologetic style and intense performances, she released critically acclaimed albums like "Horses" and "Easter." Not only has Smith left an indelible mark on the music industry, but she has also published several poetry collections and memoirs. A true artistic icon, Patti Smith continues to inspire generations with her unique mix of punk rock rebellion and poetic sensibility.

Remember, we are mortal, but poetry is not.

Remember, we are mortal, but poetry is not.

To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be suc

To me, punk rock is the freedom to create, freedom to be successful, freedom to not be successful, freedom to be who you are. It's freedom.

As I grew up, one of my strongest allies has been my sister.

As I grew up, one of my strongest allies has been my sister.

Sister Been Up Allies Strongest

Then I read Little Women, and of course, like a lot of reall

Then I read Little Women, and of course, like a lot of really young girls, I was very taken with Jo - Jo being the writer and the misfit.

...the law of empathy, by which he could, by his will, trans

...the law of empathy, by which he could, by his will, transfer himself into an object or a work of art, and thus inflence the outer world. He did not feel redeemed by the work he did. He did not seek redemption. He sought to see what others did not, the projection of his imagination.

Truth Art Beauty Purpose Honesty

Good news doesn't necessarily have to be a positive thing. B

Good news doesn't necessarily have to be a positive thing. Bringing good news is imparting hope to one's fellow man.

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may y

In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.

Make your interactions with people transformational, not jus

Make your interactions with people transformational, not just transactional.

Inspirational Quotes Inspirational 37 Days

I don't think the Palestinian people or Afghan children or s

I don't think the Palestinian people or Afghan children or some other things I'm concerned about are at the top of other people's agendas - not right now, when America is going through such a recession and people are suffering across the board financially. But I think all that will change.

No, my work does not reflect my sexual preferences, it refle

No, my work does not reflect my sexual preferences, it reflects the fact that I feel total freedom as an artist.

I'm not saying I wasn't flawed or amateurish. But you can ne

I'm not saying I wasn't flawed or amateurish. But you can never say I did anything to appease the music business.

I came into music because I thought the presentation of poet

I came into music because I thought the presentation of poetry wasn't vibrant enough. So I merged improvised poetry with basic rock chords.

Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, a

Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.

When I was younger, I felt it was my duty to wake people up.

When I was younger, I felt it was my duty to wake people up. I thought poetry was asleep. I thought rock 'n' roll was asleep.

I've always looked the same. Since I was a child, I hated ha

I've always looked the same. Since I was a child, I hated having to deal with my hair. I hated having to change my clothes. As a kid, I had a sailor shirt and the same old corduroy pants, and that's what I wanted to wear everyday.

From very early on in my childhood - four, five years old -

From very early on in my childhood - four, five years old - I felt alien to the human race. I felt very comfortable with thinking I was from another planet, because I felt disconnected - I was very tall and skinny, and I didn't look like anybody else, I didn't even look like any member of my family.

The new artists coming through were very materialistic and H

The new artists coming through were very materialistic and Hollywood, not so engaged in communication.

My mom loved rock 'n roll. My father hated it. We couldn't p

My mom loved rock 'n roll. My father hated it. We couldn't play it when he was around.

The idea of redemption is always good news, even if it means

The idea of redemption is always good news, even if it means sacrifice or some difficult times.

What I wanted to do in rock 'n roll was merge poetry with so

What I wanted to do in rock 'n roll was merge poetry with sonic scapes, and the two people who had contributed so much to that were Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison.