Patti Smith — So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
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so you want to be a rock & roll star
well listen now to what I say
get yourself an electric guitar
and take some time and learn how to play
and when hair's combed right
and your pants are tight
it's gonna be all right
with time you go downtown
to the agent man he won't let you down
sell your soul to the company
they're all waiting there
to sell plastic wares
and in a week or two if you make the charts
the girls will tear you apart
what you pay for these riches and fame
well it's all a vicious game
you're a little insane
what you get is the public acclaim
don't forget who you are
you're a rock & roll star
na na na na na . . .
hey you. come here. get up.
ah, this is the era where everybody creates.
recognize my face?
they call me broken glass.
that's because of the sound
what you pay for all these riches and fame
well it's all a vicious game
you're a little insane.
well you're a little insane
oh a little insane
'cause the thing that you gain
is the public acclaim
don't forget who you are
don't forget who you are
don't forget who you are
you're a rock & roll star
well listen now to what I say
get yourself an electric guitar
and take some time and learn how to play
and when hair's combed right
and your pants are tight
it's gonna be all right
with time you go downtown
to the agent man he won't let you down
sell your soul to the company
they're all waiting there
to sell plastic wares
and in a week or two if you make the charts
the girls will tear you apart
what you pay for these riches and fame
well it's all a vicious game
you're a little insane
what you get is the public acclaim
don't forget who you are
you're a rock & roll star
na na na na na . . .
hey you. come here. get up.
ah, this is the era where everybody creates.
recognize my face?
they call me broken glass.
that's because of the sound
what you pay for all these riches and fame
well it's all a vicious game
you're a little insane.
well you're a little insane
oh a little insane
'cause the thing that you gain
is the public acclaim
don't forget who you are
don't forget who you are
don't forget who you are
you're a rock & roll star
Comments (217)add comment
This goes to "11"!
Laptopdog wrote:
Jay Dee Daughtery
Is that Keith Moon on drums?
Jay Dee Daughtery
less covers! More originals!!!
So you want a rock n' roll song? Here you go.
Godlike segue, Willliam:
U2 "Until the End of the World" --> Patti Smith "So You Want to be Rock and Roll Star". The wailing guitar outtros and intros mesh beautifully.
U2 "Until the End of the World" --> Patti Smith "So You Want to be Rock and Roll Star". The wailing guitar outtros and intros mesh beautifully.
walk2k wrote:
Hell Yeah!!
PATTI
fuckin
SMITH
Hell Yeah!!
Patti at her best rocking self.
"ah, this is the era where everybody creates." including AI users.
Is that Keith Moon on drums?
the drummer is the rock and roll star here
Intolerable
Few other artists’ music gets better with. Every. Single. Listen.
Name them.
Name them.
Edweirdo wrote:
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
MY BROTHER!
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
MY BROTHER!
dwhayslett wrote:
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
1…. Wish there was lower option
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
1…. Wish there was lower option
gillespp wrote:
HAven't heard it but the best Gloria cover I've heard was the Doors doing a pre-concert sound check from the live album "Alive She Cried."
Patti is f#ckin' epic here. As I've posted here before, she owns this song.
Posted 7 months ago by unclehud:
One of my top ten rock-n-roll songs of all time.
Omega wrote:
Her version of Gloria is The Best Rock-And-Roll Song Of All Time.
HAven't heard it but the best Gloria cover I've heard was the Doors doing a pre-concert sound check from the live album "Alive She Cried."
Patti is f#ckin' epic here. As I've posted here before, she owns this song.
Posted 7 months ago by unclehud:
One of my top ten rock-n-roll songs of all time.
see...this is the way you do a cover
historically great cover
walk2k wrote:
I think Patti owns this one...
PATTI
fuckin
SMITH
I think Patti owns this one...
PATTI
fuckin
SMITH
fuckin
SMITH
Proclivities wrote:
Yes, viscous like maple syrup.
And if the right someone offered a viscous game I'd probably clear my schedule. No telling where a typo might lead a person.
Yes, viscous like maple syrup.
And if the right someone offered a viscous game I'd probably clear my schedule. No telling where a typo might lead a person.
One of my top ten rock-n-roll songs of all time.
This is a great song no matter who does it, always loved it...
where's the money?
Afrer many years I still have this album! Tattered, battered, and torn but mine!
Cueburned wrote:
Eww
"It's all a viscous game."
Eww
Great! 5am & my coffee is kicking in. Wake me up! Thanx RP!
The original was more about the psychedelic crazy in the 60's. Her cover works for the Cocaine crazy of the 70's.
Like them both.
Like them both.
GREAT TUNE!
The 'interview' caveat is very appropriate. Along with all the rest she has a first class mind. And I 'still' have the album!
Edweirdo wrote:
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
Can't agree, but that's funny anyway.
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
Can't agree, but that's funny anyway.
When I saw her perform live, I knew she was a rock and roll star.
Pattie rox! And if you've 'ever' heard an interview with her you'll forget every possible caveat!
neuticle wrote:
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
If you didn't at least rate this an eight, you need to rethink your life. Yes, I mean it.
I rated it a 1, but then I'm feeling more than usually generous today.
Cueburned wrote:
Yes, viscous like maple syrup.
"It's all a viscous game."
Yes, viscous like maple syrup.
The guitar on this is The Bomb.
Oh and the drumming too.
Yes and the singing.
Oh and the drumming too.
Yes and the singing.
I heard her in an interview last year and I must say, she is a very thoughtful and caring soul.
ckcotton wrote:
Well, I would modify that with Mediocre song and interesting cover...
Terrible song and worse cover....
Well, I would modify that with Mediocre song and interesting cover...
ckcotton wrote:
Terrible song and worse cover....
Phlegmaticman wrote:
I've seen her do a show with a full band and a smaller acoustic show. They were both worth it but the acoustic was one of the better concerts I've seen. She did a lot of back and forth with the audience, told stories, and was generally amazing. Two thumbs up!
See her live if you ever get the chance.
I've seen her do a show with a full band and a smaller acoustic show. They were both worth it but the acoustic was one of the better concerts I've seen. She did a lot of back and forth with the audience, told stories, and was generally amazing. Two thumbs up!
ckcotton wrote:
Terrible song and worse cover....
Just came here to write the same exact thing!See her live if you ever get the chance.
Good one Patti, but the version of this by Nazereth, track 3 on their 1976 album "Close enough for Rock'n'Roll" really rocks.
ckcotton wrote:
Still feel the same.
Terrible song and worse cover....
Still feel the same.
This may be one of those rare times when the cover is better than the original.
DaidyBoy wrote:
It’s good. But there’s nothing fresh or tasty about it.
I can't believe how old this is. Forty years, for God's sake. It still sounds fresh and tasty. Unlike "Radio Nowhere" which follows it today - production sounds muddy, harsh and dated.
It’s good. But there’s nothing fresh or tasty about it.
I can't believe how old this is. Forty years, for God's sake. It still sounds fresh and tasty. Unlike "Radio Nowhere" which follows it today - production sounds muddy, harsh and dated.
She's got a new book out - going to see her next Monday in San Francisco. Maybe she'll play a few tunes also!
As much as I love patti I am sick of this song so going to hit the next butto
This is actually a pretty funny follow up to Storm Large's cover of Where is my Mind...
lemmoth wrote:
Yes, concur. Was just sort of listening in the background while working and the drumming wandered into my attention span. Thought the very same thing.
Very Moon-like drumming by Jay Dee Daugherty on this one.
Yes, concur. Was just sort of listening in the background while working and the drumming wandered into my attention span. Thought the very same thing.
justin4kick wrote:
Wrong. Great song and even better cover!!
I think we’re on different sides here....
Wrong. Great song and even better cover!!
I think we’re on different sides here....
ckcotton wrote:
Wrong. Great song and even better cover!!
Terrible song and worse cover....
Wrong. Great song and even better cover!!
Helter_Skelter wrote:
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Wait a minute, according to the time-stamp on your comment, you wrote this comment on Apr 09, 2015. Are you a time traveler?
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Wait a minute, according to the time-stamp on your comment, you wrote this comment on Apr 09, 2015. Are you a time traveler?
This was BY FAR Patti's best cover.
Sorry, "Hey Joe" lovers out there.
Sorry, "Hey Joe" lovers out there.
What an excellent set. So glad to hear it (even if it is a rerun). Love Patti, love the Who, Love E. Costello.
Terrible song and worse cover....
"It's all a viscous game."
When this song comes up in my running playlist it never fails to boost my energy and speed up my pace.
Wonderful. Should be followed by the Tom Petty version 
She's a treasure to all who know enough when they find her : )
Very Moon-like drumming by Jay Dee Daugherty on this one.
Helter_Skelter wrote:
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Yes it is is the same list!!!!!!!!!!!
/wouldn't know and don't really care unless pointed out. Also a good solid set.
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Yes it is is the same list!!!!!!!!!!!
/wouldn't know and don't really care unless pointed out. Also a good solid set.
Helter_Skelter wrote:
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Set Repeated- 6/12/15
I really dont care, still sounds good. Haven't heard him do this set before. Its a good transition
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
Set Repeated- 6/12/15
I really dont care, still sounds good. Haven't heard him do this set before. Its a good transition
djengs wrote:
Perhaps, by the time I stop dancing...
Good comeback. But still...
Perhaps, by the time I stop dancing...
Good comeback. But still...
treatment_bound wrote:
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
calypsus_1 wrote:
Dec 24, 2013 - 13:17:
1:22 pm - Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
1:17 pm - Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
1:14 pm - The Who - The Seeker
Set repeated 4/30/14—-IT"S TWICE THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 24, 2013 - 13:17:
1:22 pm - Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
1:17 pm - Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
1:14 pm - The Who - The Seeker
Set repeated 4/30/14—-IT"S TWICE THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
Set repeated 4/10/15—-IT'S GETTING LAME!!!!!!!!!!
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Perhaps, by the time I stop dancing...
Lame
Perhaps, by the time I stop dancing...
Lame
calypsus_1 wrote:
Dec 24, 2013 - 13:17:
1:22 pm - Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
1:17 pm - Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
1:14 pm - The Who - The Seeker
Set repeated 4/30/14---IT"S TWICE THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 24, 2013 - 13:17:
1:22 pm - Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
1:17 pm - Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
1:14 pm - The Who - The Seeker
Set repeated 4/30/14---IT"S TWICE THE FUN!!!!!!!!!!
Of all the Patti Smith covers, this one's THE BEST!
Amazingly good song not heard in a long time. Thx
Dec 24, 2013 - 13:17:
1:22 pm - Elvis Costello - Peace, Love and Understanding
1:17 pm - Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
1:14 pm - The Who - The Seeker
Should have been so, but in reality did not. And, because "there is beautiful without one if not" the excellent software programming RP also has bugs, which is rare, and I do not recall ever having happened.
So, was scheduled to play "Patti Smith - So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star", but failed to do so, the program went live from "E.Costello" to "The Who". Natural this, except that Patti Smith has one credit of this song .... lol
What kind of crap shows have you been seeing. I have seen her 3 times and was blown away more each time. I own everything this woman has done, everything!!! She is one of the premier poets of our time. You need to go back and listen to her body of work. There are very few artists that I own everything that they have done, Patty Griffin, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead, Rolling Stones, yeah that is it. She ranks right up there.
Stingray wrote:
Stingray wrote:
SHE IS NEITHER A SINGER NOR A MUSICIAN!
THE MOST TERRIBLE AMATEURISH CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN!
...and I saw many!!
kcar wrote:
Beg to differ. When this came out, it was loud, raucous, intense and relentless. This rocked as hard as anything on the scene at the time. Still cross-eyed, amped and incandescent. She owns this song.
Agreed! I remember when this hit the airwaves (BRIEFLY!) in Mpls. in the Summer of '79. What a revelation!
Unfortunately, the local crap rock station moved on rather quickly, and then we were back our usual steady diet of Supertramp, Molly Hatchet and April Wine.
Beg to differ. When this came out, it was loud, raucous, intense and relentless. This rocked as hard as anything on the scene at the time. Still cross-eyed, amped and incandescent. She owns this song.
Agreed! I remember when this hit the airwaves (BRIEFLY!) in Mpls. in the Summer of '79. What a revelation!
Unfortunately, the local crap rock station moved on rather quickly, and then we were back our usual steady diet of Supertramp, Molly Hatchet and April Wine.
Nice segue from The Who...but I don't care for this tune or Patti Smith.
bachbeet wrote:
Beg to differ. When this came out, it was loud, raucous, intense and relentless. This rocked as hard as anything on the scene at the time. Still cross-eyed, amped and incandescent. She owns this song.
She should have decided NOT to cover this song. Terrible job.
Beg to differ. When this came out, it was loud, raucous, intense and relentless. This rocked as hard as anything on the scene at the time. Still cross-eyed, amped and incandescent. She owns this song.
What a great band, man (including Patti)!
Nice segue from The Who . . .
She's a R+R Super Nova!!!
I like WonderLizard's remarks, too.
A nice rendition of a great old song.
Wardleader wrote:
Maybe you should check the label the next time you do that stuff.
I forgot this cultural transmission of rocking kulchur, PaTTi does covers with the love of a Mother for a son or daughter for a Father. Her "Smells like teen Spirit" is the song as a hit from the next possible world of our Earth. If we could travel dimensions of possible earths, we would be familiar with the sea of possibility because of Shaman Patti.
Maybe you should check the label the next time you do that stuff.
Stingray wrote:
and yet, she is far more Rock n Roll than most...
SHE IS NEITHER A SINGER NOR A MUSICIAN!
THE MOST TERRIBLE AMATEURISH CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN!
...and I saw many!!
and yet, she is far more Rock n Roll than most...
I forgot this cultural transmission of rocking kulchur, PaTTi does covers with the love of a Mother for a son or daughter for a Father. Her "Smells like teen Spirit" is the song as a hit from the next possible world of our Earth. If we could travel dimensions of possible earths, we would be familiar with the sea of possibility because of Shaman Patti.
Patti, baby, I wanna be a Rock N Roll star!
Oh HELL ya!
Stingray wrote:
The fact that you are proud to have gone to many terrible amateurish concerts makes me begin to understand you a bit.
Not much mind you, but a bit.
SHE IS NEITHER A SINGER NOR A MUSICIAN!
THE MOST TERRIBLE AMATEURISH CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN!
...and I saw many!!
The fact that you are proud to have gone to many terrible amateurish concerts makes me begin to understand you a bit.
Not much mind you, but a bit.
dwhayslett wrote:
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
I've recreated my life several times...it involved a good deal of thought each time...still giving this a seven.
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
I've recreated my life several times...it involved a good deal of thought each time...still giving this a seven.
neuticle wrote:
Rated eight.
If you didn't at least rate this an eight, you need to rethink your life. Yes, I mean it.
Rated eight.
She should have decided NOT to cover this song. Terrible job.
SHE IS NEITHER A SINGER NOR A MUSICIAN!
THE MOST TERRIBLE AMATEURISH CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN!
...and I saw many!!
rdo wrote:
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
Read her book "Just Kids." You'll discover she is one multi-talented artist!
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
Read her book "Just Kids." You'll discover she is one multi-talented artist!
neuticle wrote:
If you didn't at least rate this an eight, you need to rethink your life. Yes, I mean it.
neuticle wrote:
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
If you didn't at least rate this an eight, you need to rethink your life. Yes, I mean it.
I rethought my entire life twice (just to be sure), but I still gave this a 7.
Bill, please bottle the latest combination of tunes for all of us toiling at our computers. Superb!
If you didn't at least rate this an eight, you need to rethink your life. Yes, I mean it.
Patti.......is the best.
Truly an original, one of a kind.
vandal wrote:
We all used to have that haircut. . .
Nope, not me. Of course, I was born in 1978, had a "jew-fro" (no insult to any jewish person intented!) for a large part of my life. Kept it cut short so I didn't look like a white Billy Dee Williams, then one day I got a burr up my butt and decided I needed a change. The girl I was with at the time suggested I shave it. I decided a preemptive strike against male pattern baldness wasn't a bad idea and I haven't looked back since.
Chicks dig bald guys.
We all used to have that haircut. . .
Nope, not me. Of course, I was born in 1978, had a "jew-fro" (no insult to any jewish person intented!) for a large part of my life. Kept it cut short so I didn't look like a white Billy Dee Williams, then one day I got a burr up my butt and decided I needed a change. The girl I was with at the time suggested I shave it. I decided a preemptive strike against male pattern baldness wasn't a bad idea and I haven't looked back since.
Chicks dig bald guys.
ktnsb wrote:
Good call, and I'd say it's because she came up in the punk wave, when "rock and roll star" was an insult, but she had this whole love of rock history and a real understanding of where rock and roll had been, and then here is this seminal song that made the "rock star insult" thing very early on, so for her to do the song embodies two levels of irony. And then, she does it more or less as straight kick-ass rock and roll, which is even funnier.
Especially if you saw her do it live — I saw her scale the amplifier wall and perch on top like King Kong going up the Empire State Building, pumping her fists and yelling "Don't forget who you are!!! Don't forget who you are!!! You're a rock and roll star!!!" while the band rocked out.
Now that's compelling.
When Patti says 'don't forget who you are, you're a rock n roll star', it's just a helluva lot more compelling than when the Byrds said it. I don't know why.
Good call, and I'd say it's because she came up in the punk wave, when "rock and roll star" was an insult, but she had this whole love of rock history and a real understanding of where rock and roll had been, and then here is this seminal song that made the "rock star insult" thing very early on, so for her to do the song embodies two levels of irony. And then, she does it more or less as straight kick-ass rock and roll, which is even funnier.
Especially if you saw her do it live — I saw her scale the amplifier wall and perch on top like King Kong going up the Empire State Building, pumping her fists and yelling "Don't forget who you are!!! Don't forget who you are!!! You're a rock and roll star!!!" while the band rocked out.
Now that's compelling.
Best version (so far) of a hilarious song!
Stingray wrote:
Uh, no. That's Chrissie Hynde.
PRETENDER!
Uh, no. That's Chrissie Hynde.
Still don't get it - never understood Patti being such a rock critic darling - never will.
Such a great tune, no matter who covers it. Byrds blew it open.
treatment_bound wrote:
Here's a shot of Jay Dee in his early 20's...Hey, I used to have that haircut!
We all used to have that haircut. . .
Here's a shot of Jay Dee in his early 20's...Hey, I used to have that haircut!
We all used to have that haircut. . .
spigolli wrote:
She had a strong influence on me to always change the station when she was played.
Now that explains it.
At least you heard her on a station. I never did.
She had a strong influence on me to always change the station when she was played.
Now that explains it.
At least you heard her on a station. I never did. rdo wrote:
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
She had a strong influence on me to always change the station when she was played.
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
She had a strong influence on me to always change the station when she was played.
lemmoth wrote:
Jay Dee Daugherty my friend
Here's a shot of Jay Dee in his early 20's...Hey, I used to have that haircut!
Jay Dee Daugherty my friend
Here's a shot of Jay Dee in his early 20's...Hey, I used to have that haircut!
Propayne wrote:
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
I love this cover.
Enjoyable book out now on the history of Todd Rundgren's production work with a very interesting chapter on Patti Smith and the making of Wave.
Enjoyable book out now on the history of Todd Rundgren's production work with a very interesting chapter on Patti Smith and the making of Wave.
She was on Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people. I seriously do not get it. I must have missed something.
I love this cover.
Enjoyable book out now on the history of Todd Rundgren's production work with a very interesting chapter on Patti Smith and the making of Wave.
Enjoyable book out now on the history of Todd Rundgren's production work with a very interesting chapter on Patti Smith and the making of Wave.
This was an OUTSTANDING addition to my skiing mix... hearing it in my helmet (with 40mm SkullCandy speakers) gave me some higher energy on a recent outing to Squaw Valley.
PRETENDER!
Eric_Denison wrote:
actually, it does
Doesn't get much better than this!
actually, it does
keller1 wrote:
Jay Dee Daugherty my friend
This one rocks out in no small part thanks to some kickass drumming —- Moon-like, which I'm guessing is why the segue from The Seeker.
Jay Dee Daugherty my friend
I love this! Hadn't heard her cover this song before - that chunky beat, the yummy, throaty vocals and the spontaneous poetry spiel - no bad here. I love the Tom Petty and Roger McGuinn/Byrds versions for different reasons, but this one is definitely worthy of an "I'm not worthy" icon...
Patti may have been dubbed the Queen of Punk but she had enormous respect for the great rock and roll she grew up with — and this is a great cover.
Doesn't get much better than this!
Actually this whole set has been quite exceptional.
Actually this whole set has been quite exceptional.
8 to 9
Poacher wrote:
I know! It makes no sense. It's beyond a 10!
6.4? Only a 6.4 rating!?
I really don't understand. . . seriously - this is a total classic in every respect.
Hey ho.
I really don't understand. . . seriously - this is a total classic in every respect.
Hey ho.
I know! It makes no sense. It's beyond a 10!
Godlike segue, Willliam:
U2 "Until the End of the World" --> Patti Smith "So You Want to be Rock and Roll Star". The wailing guitar outtros and intros mesh beautifully.
Thank you kcar and (of course) William! Amateur tailgate DJ that I am, I love it when these mixes are brought to my attention.