From The Archives: Patti Smith – Horses

This is “From The Archives” a feature where we take a trip back to a previous decade and discuss an album! We will talk about highlight tracks that should not be missed. As well as reasons why we think the album was so influential and successful.

The Album Breakdown

Released in 1975, Horses helped to establish the foundations of punk. While it also blended poetry, garage rock and pure rawness in artistic expression form. Patti Smith delivered something completely different to mainstream rock at the time.

Thriving on emotion and authenticity, rather than perfection. It’s influence can be heard today throughout punk, alt rock and Indie.

Highlight Tracks

Opening the album is one of rocks more memorable opening lines. Gloria announces Patti Smith’s style. Spoken word in approach transforms the song into something that is entirely her own.

Patti Smith – Gloria: In Excelsis Deo (All Rights Are Retained By Patti Smith)

Birdland highlights Smith’s poetic side, moving between reflective passages and dramatic musical peaks to make it one of the albums most memorable moments.

Patti Smith – Birdland (All Rights Are Retained By Patti Smith)

Closing the album is the ambitious and unpredictable Land. It captures the fearless creativity that makes Horses a really influential record.

Patti Smith – Land: Horses/Land Of A Thousand Dances/ La Mer(de) (All Rights Are Retained By Patti Smith)

Other Notable Albums From The Band

Radio Ethiopia

Easter

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All rights to the songs used in this post are retained by the band/artist. This site claims no rights over them.

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3 responses to “From The Archives: Patti Smith – Horses”

  1. richardbist avatar

    Great album and iconic cover photo of her.

    Now I need to get this spinning on my turntable! 🎶

    Like

  2. K Mark Schofer avatar

    I just read a fantastic book called The Divers Clothes Lie Empty.
    There is a scene in the middle of the book where the protagonist walks into rock concert in Morocco and Patti Smith is playing. She opens the set with Lou Reeds. It’s a perfect day.

    she has always been a hero of mine. Like Rush, her music doesn’t hit my ear quite right, but I have read all of her books and poetry, and she is an icon to me.

    Like

  3. aquinoaa2272 avatar

    Her cover of Gloria originally by Them is way way better!!

    Like

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