Horses? I Didn't Get It Then, But....

Patti Smith is 78 years old. It doesn’t quite seem possible. Her debut album was Horses in 1975 and I am a little chagrined to admit that I didn’t like it then; I just didn’t get it. I learned she was originally a spoken word poet and this album merged poetry with punk rock. It inspired new wave, alternative, grunge and many, many artists. She changed the music landscape forever. 

Quick cut: I like famous last words and famous first words. 

My favorite last words are attributed to Oscar Wilde who supposedly said, “Either that wallpaper goes or I do.”

Some opening lines are common knowledge: 

• It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 

• Call me Ishmael.

• In the beginning…I think we all know that’s from the Bible. 

Speaking of which, the opening line of her first song on Patti Smith’s Horses album: Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not for mine. Really gives me pause. And I’m still not entirely sure what that means. 

It can mean that Patti Smith is not accepting personal responsibility, her sins aren’t going to be paid for by someone else. Or it can mean the opposite--she is taking responsibility for her own life and will not rely on salvation offered by someone else. I could not appreciate that juxtaposition way back in 1975, but am starting to in 2025.