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Patti Smith — Summer Cannibals
Album: Land (1975-2002)
Avg rating:
5.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1157









Released: 2002
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I was down in Georgia
nothing was as real
as the street beneath my feet
descending into air

The cauldron was a-bubbling
the flesh was lean
and the women moved forward
like piranhas in a stream
they spread themselves before me
an offering so sweet
and they beckoned and they beckoned
come on darling eat

Eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat
you eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat

They circled around me
natives in a ring
and I saw their souls a-withering
like snakes in chains
and they wrapped themselves around me
ummm what a treat
and they rattled their tales hissin'
come on let's eat

Eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat
you eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat

I felt a rising in my throat
the girls a-saying grace
and the air the viscous air
pressed against my face
and it all got too damn much for me
just got too damn rough
and I pushed away my plate
and said boys I've had enough
and I laid upon the table
another piece of meat
and I opened up my veins to them
and said come on eat

Eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat
you eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat
you eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat
you eat the summer cannibals
eat eat eat

Cause I was down in Georgia
nothing was as real
as the street beneath my feet
descending into hell

So eat eat eat
you eat eat eat
you eat eat eat
eat eat eat
Comments (93)add comment
The video for this was directed by the great Robert Frank. Just saw it at the Museum of Modern Art's exhibition of his work.
Check it out - it's very cool.
Posted 2 days ago by NHemp    [ Reply ]
Great.  Now I'm hungry.
Posted 7 months ago by mxflash    [ Reply ]
i wish the lyrics for the chorus wasn't "eat eat eat"... could have at least put some other word there, but i guess it gets the point across: EAT! (eat eat)
Posted 2 years ago by dischuckin    [ Reply ]
Five point two? Crazy is endemic!
Posted 2 years ago by BlackBetty    [ Reply ]
The low rating and number of negative comments was such a surprise to me - this is one of my Patti Smith faves.
Posted 2 years ago by sasafrazzle441    [ Reply ]
Patti Chili Pepper. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
OK, but not great. Not one of her best.
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 MayBaby wrote:

Hmmm. another "0" day - this is October 30th 2018. (I hate that we don't have dates on the posts anymore)
 
The trend is broken, 7/31/2019.   Unless the trend all along wasn't "0", but the end of the month...??

Posted 5 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
I found a quote attributed to Patti Smith:

[Fred "Sonic" Smith had] written part of it but never recorded it. Like ‘Gone Again’, he had the title and the music and told me about the concept. When I sing it, it’s as if I’m him — it’s his attitude toward the music business, although I’ve tasted the same kind of lifestyle. For him, the whole business was people shoveling drugs, champagne, promises of fame, money, just to keep them working so people could make money off of them. He really perceived the whole journey into fame, which he had tasted when he was younger, as very destructive. It’s dangerous to work for those kinds of ends — fame and fortune will turn on you. If there’s anything negative on the album, it’s that song. But it’s got a sense of humor, in the way I sing it, because I survived it all. It didn’t have an unhappy ending for me. It’s a survival song.”Helps me make sense of it... the surest way to survive the cannibals is to eat them before they can eat you.
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
You either like Patti or you don'. At least she has something to say.
Posted 5 years ago by Boxie    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is really bad. Not up to her normal standard!
Posted 5 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
 ndanger666 wrote:
This is flat-out ghastly!
 

I would have said ghoulish. 

But I kinda like it - as long as I don't have to hear it too often.
Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
art rock
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Chewie wrote:
Surprised at the negative reactions to this one. Sure, it might not be stellar, but it isn't bad 
 
Twill suffice 'til something worse  comes along.
Posted 5 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Surprised at the negative reactions to this one. Sure, it might not be stellar, but it isn't bad 
Posted 5 years ago by Chewie    [ Reply ]
Plays (last 30 days): 2 <--- please make that 2 a 0
Posted 5 years ago by mindri0t    [ Reply ]

You eat someones Cannonballs...Eat Meat!
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
Oh no, not again. This isn't good.
Posted 5 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
totally forgot I still needed to eat.  thanks patti.
Posted 5 years ago by Voight-Kampff    [ Reply ]
 ludwig7 wrote:
Wierd. For all of 2003 so far, this song apparently has been played only on dates that end in a zero, based on the comments below. Me, I'd prefer if it was played on zero days, period. A 1 isn't low enough. And to think that this followed Gimme Shelter, to which I gave the only 10 I've posted.
 
Hmmm. another "0" day - this is October 30th 2018. (I hate that we don't have dates on the posts anymore)
Posted 6 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
This doesn't improve with repetition.

 
Agreed.

Not one of her best.

Posted 6 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
This doesn't improve with repetition.
Posted 6 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Most Excellent!
Posted 6 years ago by Michael_Dean    [ Reply ]
 Smetak wrote:
Great song. The tune is full of energy. Patti's voice, lead guitar, the lyrics... I really like this.
Surprising comments bellow. There are a lot of bad song on RP (as same as there are plenty of good ones). But this one can never be rated as bad. 
 
where are you? korea?
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
ROCK GOD.
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Great song. The tune is full of energy. Patti's voice, lead guitar, the lyrics... I really like this.
Surprising comments bellow. There are a lot of bad song on RP (as same as there are plenty of good ones). But this one can never be rated as bad. 
Posted 6 years ago by Smetak    [ Reply ]
 Aux wrote:
The best part is that it is now over
 
Funny. Surprised at the lousy reviews, though. I think this is hilarious. Such an interesting artist.
Posted 6 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
The lyrics come close to a Warren Zevon style of "dark humor," but never quite get there.
Posted 6 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Ha! I love it - fun, rude, naive, distateful, and just generally poor. It goes in the same box as Human Fly by The Cramps for me.
Posted 16 years ago by MrFunston    [ Reply ]
This goes well past "suckage."
Posted 16 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
Man she sounds P.O.'d in this song.

Did her boyfriend just get caught in bed with another woman/guy or what???
Posted 16 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
bad as hell.
Posted 16 years ago by milchschnitte    [ Reply ]
Patti ROCKS!!!!!

{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
There are cannibals out there, kids. Someone needed to write about it. And when the deed is, it wasn't goin' to be pretty! Good one, Patti.
Posted 18 years ago by zensend    [ Reply ]
This one should've stayed in the archives. Was a 2 before, 'tis a 2 now.
Posted 18 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
The best part is that it is now over
Posted 18 years ago by Aux    [ Reply ]
I'd never heard this before. At the beginning I thought it was funny, but by the end: Too much cannibal!
Posted 18 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
I realize Patti is awesome, but this tune... I don't know. I guess I lost my appetite somewhere.
Posted 18 years ago by arudger    [ Reply ]
Love Patti Smith.....but not this.
Posted 18 years ago by mnuisance    [ Reply ]
alanb wrote:
Again, another 0 day. Odd! Odd. Like the song. It isn't a nice song. I don't like it.
Unfortunately, the chain is broken (7/6)...could really do without this one. Although the "eat eat" reminds me that it's time for lunch.
Posted 18 years ago by chinchita    [ Reply ]
holy cats this is miserable.
Posted 18 years ago by ahoylola    [ Reply ]
Well, I guess this ends the "0" day curse ...
Posted 18 years ago by Raminocs    [ Reply ]
oppositelock wrote:
Patti Smith rocks.
Amen!
Posted 18 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith rocks.
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by alanb: It isn't a nice song. I don't like it.
It's a nasty song. I like it.
Posted 21 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ludwig7: Wierd. For all of 2003 so far, this song apparently has been played only on dates that end in a zero, based on the comments below.
Again, another 0 day. Odd! Odd. Like the song. It isn't a nice song. I don't like it.
Posted 21 years ago by alanb    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ludwig7: Wierd. For all of 2003 so far, this song apparently has been played only on dates that end in a zero, based on the comments below. Me, I'd prefer if it was played on zero days, period.
Looks like you get your wish.
Posted 21 years ago by tawanda    [ Reply ]
Wierd. For all of 2003 so far, this song apparently has been played only on dates that end in a zero, based on the comments below. Me, I'd prefer if it was played on zero days, period. A 1 isn't low enough. And to think that this followed Gimme Shelter, to which I gave the only 10 I've posted.
Posted 21 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
Love love love Patti. Hate hate hate this song. I was so thankful that she did not play this at her recent local show, which was possibly the greatest, most intense experience I\'ve had in my concert going life. Seen Patti live, now I can die. :D
Posted 21 years ago by ladybinnath    [ Reply ]
Okay, I give! Bring back Lionrock...they suck, but not as bad as this!
Posted 21 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Wow this is awful.
Posted 21 years ago by dorko16    [ Reply ]
this sucks!
Posted 21 years ago by Donastia    [ Reply ]
now THAT was a grating voice. I take it from the notes below that this is not indicitave of her. Someone upload some of her other stuff so I can get an idea of what she really sounds like.
Posted 21 years ago by FeatFanMike    [ Reply ]
Um ... WTF?
Posted 21 years ago by hand-eye    [ Reply ]
The rating is down to 4.4 Makes me wonder what the lowest rating ever for a song is? Edit: Some prankster gave it a 10! Ha ha! Good one.
Posted 21 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
This reminds me. I\'ll have to dig out my Patti Smith Album. I bought it as it is always voted high in the 100 greatest album lists. I\'ve never really got into it and it bugs me that that is so. Judging by the reaction to this song, I am not alone in not getting her.
Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
woof that was bad enough for me to switch off and listen to Cds
Posted 21 years ago by navonodt    [ Reply ]
Obviously Patti brings a quality of menace to this song. Gee...I think that\'s appropriate. Go, Patti, go!
Posted 21 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by squarepixel: Please let me know how much money I must donate to never hear this song again.
I'll pitch in with you... I'm frightened! :(
Posted 21 years ago by cubsfreak    [ Reply ]
I have never understood \"Junkie Chic\".
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
What was this supposed to be? Awful, shame on Patti!
Posted 21 years ago by Keiger    [ Reply ]
Someone on drugs must have told Ms Smith that she had talent. Unfortunately, she must have been sufficiently whacked to have believed them. This is flat-out ghastly!
Posted 21 years ago by ndanger666    [ Reply ]
What up? Patti eat some bad bbq?
Posted 21 years ago by dadofsammy    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Enrique: to poop on!
Well put! :D
Posted 21 years ago by hobbes    [ Reply ]
Does it get any worse? Please leave this one on the shelf!
Posted 21 years ago by forestry_chick    [ Reply ]
Something raw about Patti Smith that I like. I can understand why some people wouldn\'t - but it\'s music to my ears.
Posted 21 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by mrrmaid1: Give me more and I will EAT EAT EAT it! Patti ROCKS no matter what! people who are afraid of weird chicks should stay home because we are EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!
"Weird chicks" are fine; crummy lazy song writing isn't.
Posted 21 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by lordcruloze: This is awsome...
to poop on!
Posted 21 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
This is awsome.
Posted 21 years ago by lordcruloze    [ Reply ]
I find it difficult to express how much I truly hate this song. Sucko barfo stinko yucko.
Posted 22 years ago by squarepixel    [ Reply ]
Weird song. The best part of RP is that you never can tell what you might hear next. Even though it has both feet planted firmly on solid rock there is all that other stuff tossed in for variety. I like eclectic a lot. I like Patti's whole attitude and most of her music. There was a really good very lengthy interview with her in New Yorker in May or June.
Posted 22 years ago by gstark33    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by spicysquid: She never did make a bad song...please play more Patti Smith.
I beg to differ. This is a bad song.
Posted 22 years ago by harmanjd    [ Reply ]
she wears mens underware. Dot
Posted 22 years ago by Dotman    [ Reply ]
She never did make a bad song...please play more Patti Smith.
Posted 22 years ago by spicysquid    [ Reply ]
This sucks.
Posted 22 years ago by digitalRonin    [ Reply ]
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Never again.
Posted 22 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
Please let me know how much money I must donate to never hear this song again.
Posted 22 years ago by squarepixel    [ Reply ]
This song is sucko-asso-barfo. Truly horrible.
Posted 22 years ago by eric    [ Reply ]
Horrid, this song makes me nauseous
Posted 22 years ago by dehler    [ Reply ]
I am so creeped out by this song, I am uncomfortable everytime it comes on!!! Scary!!!!!!!!!
Posted 22 years ago by gypsy222    [ Reply ]
I like weird chicks but I do not like this song. No, sir. Not one bit.
Posted 22 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by squarepixel: I'm not into this. Wierd chicks freak me out.
wierd chicks rock.
Posted 22 years ago by thunter1    [ Reply ]
She scares me.
Posted 22 years ago by window    [ Reply ]
I\'m not into this. Wierd chicks freak me out.
Posted 22 years ago by squarepixel    [ Reply ]