PATTI SMITH : ROCK ‘N’ ROLL NIGGER [1978]

“Η ιέρεια του πανκ, η αιώνια ρομαντική της νεοϋορκέζικης σκηνής, πνευματική επίγονος του Ρεμπώ, του Μπολάνιο, του Γκίνσμπεργκ και της Γενιάς Μπητ, έρχεται στο Ωδείο Ηρώδου Αττικού για μια μοναδική συναυλία, όπου παντρεύει τη μουσική και την ποίησή της με τον δικό της, απαράμιλλο τρόπο” [Από το δελτίο τύπου για την αποψινή συναυλία].
Επιτρέψτε μου να κάνω τον εμετό μου. Και να επισημάνω ότι θα υπήρχε μια στο δισεκατομμύριο περίπτωση να βρίσκομαι στο Ηρώδειο απόψε, αν ήξερα ότι θα ακουστεί
αυτό το τραγούδι.

We are moving into politically incorrect mode with the breathtaking Patti Smith. “Rock ’n’ Roll Nigger” is from the classic Easter album. The song, according to John Lennon, is self-referential.

Baby was a black sheep. Baby was a whore
Baby got big and baby get bigger
Baby get something. Baby get more
Baby, baby, baby was a rock-and-roll nigger
Oh, look around you, all around you
Riding on a copper wave
Do you like the world around you?
Are you ready to behave?
Outside of society, they’re waitin’ for me
Outside of society, that’s where I want to be
Baby was a black sheep. Baby was a whore
You know she got big. Well, she’s gonna get bigger
Baby got a hand; got a finger on the trigger
Baby, baby, baby is a rock-and-roll nigger
Outside of society, that’s where I want to be
Outside of society, they’re waitin’ for me
(Those who have suffered, understand suffering
And thereby extend their hand
The storm that brings harm
Also makes fertile
Blessed is the grass
And herb and the true thorn and light)
I was lost in a valley of pleasure
I was lost in the infinite sea
I was lost, and measure for measure
Love spewed from the heart of me
I was lost, and the cost
And the cost didn’t matter to me
I was lost, and the cost
Was to be outside society
Jimi Hendrix was a nigger
Jesus Christ and Grandma, too
Jackson Pollock was a nigger
Nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger
Nigger, nigger, nigger
Outside of society, they’re waitin’ for me
Outside of society, if you’re looking
That’s where you’ll find me
Outside of society, they’re waitin’ for me
Outside of society


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2 Comments

  1. Liz Gauffreau June 25, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Very much in the punk tradition!

    Reply
  2. Resa June 29, 2022 at 3:41 am

    With the times, but ahead of them… punk now… yeah
    Se was totally and wonderfully annoying.

    Reply

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