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Patti Smith — Looking For You (I Was)
Album: Dream Of Life
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2212









Released: 1988
Length: 3:58
Plays (last 30 days): 4
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In the medieval night
'Twas love's design
And the sky was open
like a Valentine
All the lacy lights
Where wishes fall
And like Shakespeare's child
I wished on them all

Ahh to be your destiny
was all that I pursued
I could see the sights
from the lofty heights
But my heart obscured the view

I was looking for you
Looking for you
What could I do
I was looking for you

Along the black river
The ambassador jewels
And you were reflected
in all that I saw
In the towers of gold
In the wheel and wing
Gripping my senses
like an ancient claim

Many is the time I knelt in the light
appealing to all that I know
Guide my eyes and steps
that I may find love true

I was looking for you
Looking for you
What could I do
I was looking for you

Come on darlin'
All that hearts desire
was written before us
In the medieval fire
It was love's design
In the glittering stars
Like Shakespeare's child
To be where you are

From the Portobello Road
To the Port of Marseilles
Where the dervish turns
Where the wild goats play

Looking for you
I was
Comments (93)add comment
Unmatched soulfulness.  What a force of nature Patti is.
Posted 4 days ago by liveaudio608    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:


Patti Smith (L) smiles as the Dalai Lama speaks to the crowd during her performance on the Pyramid Stage as he visits the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 28, 2015.


I was lucky enough to see her on one of the side stages at Glasto 1999 at 11pm on the Saturday. Was able to get right up the front as only a small crowd. Couldn't believe my luck to see such an absolute legend up close
Posted 7 months ago by Fishman    [ Reply ]
Legend.
Posted 1 year ago by Schopenhauer    [ Reply ]
i just saw her last Sunday (August 13th) at Stern Grove in San Francisco, and she put on an incredible show. Still rocking at 76. Go see her if you have a chance. Signed, a fan for 41 years 
Posted 1 year ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
Looking for You (I Was).
Is that the Yoda version?
Posted 1 year ago by ProfessionalGeek    [ Reply ]
 danielcatania wrote:

I saw her live in Chieti (Italy). The first (and only!) artist i ever saw that has a spittoon on stage - and uses it all the time.

I remember how she suddenly disappeared from stage and reappeared in the middle of the audience hopping and singing - with great disgust and panic among the security staff  *LOL*



Posted 1 year ago by vstg005    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith always was and still is the embodiment of cool. Love this rockin' number!  
Posted 1 year ago by EffjayUK    [ Reply ]
 tm wrote:

she inspired so many of the musicians playing here on Radio Paradise...


So did suzi quatro
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
she inspired so many of the musicians playing here on Radio Paradise...
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:


Patti Smith (L) smiles as the Dalai Lama speaks to the crowd during her performance on the Pyramid Stage as he visits the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 28, 2015.


Cool photo, though I question the need for the (L) denoting which individual is Patti and which is the Dalai Lama. Maybe it's the hair.  
Posted 2 years ago by forthbrdge    [ Reply ]
she sets standards wherever she goes.  Fantastic

Posted 2 years ago by liveaudio608    [ Reply ]
Good Tune!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
A primo artist in every dept!
Posted 3 years ago by BlackBetty    [ Reply ]
 DeemerDave wrote:

She has a good band behind her, but she always sounds flat to me. 



I think your ears must be sharp. 
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
Loved this woman since first hearing in the 70's. Best female punk voice (and best poet) that's ever lived. And she was f'ing gorgeous back then as well. She still looks ok at 70 odd (but then I'm in my 60's now :-) )
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
Her voice sounds like Phoebe Buffay 
Posted 3 years ago by bodzieo    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:


Patti Smith (L) smiles as the Dalai Lama speaks to the crowd during her performance on the Pyramid Stage as he visits the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 28, 2015.


Nice company.  Both sides.  Hey I might write a song  kinda like that .  Huh ?   Ohh. I'm  kinda late   ;O
Posted 3 years ago by pnuema    [ Reply ]
Wiki says she's 74.
She's still at it... good for her!
Posted 3 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
One of the reasons why i love listening to RP is deep dives like this, keep it up bill
Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 DeemerDave wrote:

She has a good band behind her, but she always sounds flat to me. 



You say that as if it were a bad thing, haha.
Posted 3 years ago by renaultr17    [ Reply ]
It's questionable to assign numeric values to R&R performers who are genuinely poly-artistic at the level of Patti Smith. This is a great-if-not-famous-in-its-own-right cut.; seven wasn't good enough, gave it eight.
Posted 4 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
She has a good band behind her, but she always sounds flat to me. 
Posted 4 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear something else than Gloria or Because the Night (I do love them, don't get me wrong)!

Long live Patti and long live RP 
Posted 4 years ago by Mannick    [ Reply ]
The title says "Looking for you (I was)" - I feel like Yoda should sing this!
Posted 4 years ago by ProfessionalGeek    [ Reply ]
 Bleyfusz wrote:
I figure shamans sing like she does. It's what I most appreciate about her art, I'd say.
 

Sadly, shaman's songs are incomprehensible chanting  - speaking from actual attendance at shamans' rituals while doing my fieldwork.  In fact, shamans rarely know what they said (channeling ancestors, after all), and everyone in attendance has to sit around afterwards and talk about what they thought the ancestors were saying through the shaman. Which makes it a great community-oriented health resolution meeting. 

Fortunately, Patti is amazing in and of herself!  
Posted 4 years ago by KitKatKeno    [ Reply ]
 danthebeachman wrote:
A classic artist who will most definitely go down in music history as one of a kind!!
 
her cover of GLORIA is absolutely the most astonishing 6 minutes in rock history 

Posted 4 years ago by wildmanfromSB    [ Reply ]
So nicely said 😁 Pjesnik wrote:
First nd foremost she is a poet. She has used music (mostly rock) as a way of expression for her verses. So she sings (quite well IMHO) mostly, but she has every right to chant as well because, as I said, she is a poetess. Her poetry is art which many of her admirers like a lot. For me, admiration goes along with respect. Especially, when you take into account the personal losses she had. Keep on rockin your poetry Patti!
 
Posted 4 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
A classic artist who will most definitely go down in music history as one of a kind!!
Posted 4 years ago by danthebeachman    [ Reply ]
I figure shamans sing like she does. It's what I most appreciate about her art, I'd say.
Posted 5 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
I saw her live in Chieti (Italy). The first (and only!) artist i ever saw that has a spittoon on stage - and uses it all the time.

I remember how she suddenly disappeared from stage and reappeared in the middle of the audience hopping and singing - with great disgust and panic among the security staff  *LOL*
Posted 5 years ago by danielcatania    [ Reply ]

ccjemmett wrote:

Funny how all the shallows seem to need to mention that they don't like this.
great song, Patti !

dwhayslett wrote:

Funny how some folks think their opinion makes them 'deep' (or perhaps vice versa), and those with other opinions are somehow inferior.
 
Funny how you resemble cc's remark. 
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 Pjesnik wrote:
First and foremost she is a poet. She has used music (mostly rock) as a way of expression for her verses. So she sings (quite well IMHO) mostly, but she has every right to chant as well because, as I said, she is a poetess. Her poetry is art which many of her admirers like a lot. For me, admiration goes along with respect. Especially, when you take into account the personal losses she had. Keep on rockin your poetry Patti!
 Patti  can do no wrong for me

Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Ik zit gewoon hier hoor
Posted 5 years ago by de_kerstman    [ Reply ]
A rare 10 rating.  Just about perfect IMO.
Posted 5 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
LOOKING FOR ME?!?
Posted 5 years ago by de_kerstman    [ Reply ]
I can't handle this anymore.
Posted 5 years ago by chasmen    [ Reply ]
love it, simple
Posted 5 years ago by yippee    [ Reply ]
First and foremost she is a poet. She has used music (mostly rock) as a way of expression for her verses. So she sings (quite well IMHO) mostly, but she has every right to chant as well because, as I said, she is a poetess. Her poetry is art which many of her admirers like a lot. For me, admiration goes along with respect. Especially, when you take into account the personal losses she had. Keep on rockin your poetry Patti!
Posted 6 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
 ccjemmett wrote:
Funny how all the shallows seem to need to mention that they don't like this.
great song, Patti !
 
Funny how some folks think their opinion makes them 'deep' (or perhaps vice versa), and those with other opinions are somehow inferior.
Posted 6 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 jbuhl wrote:
Good thing we are not all exactly the same .
Sorry you missed it.
 

Posted 6 years ago by webpilot1    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith has paid her dues and doesn't lose a thing with detractors. Good sound !
Posted 6 years ago by webpilot1    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
I have never understood the attraction some have for Patti Smith.
 
Sorry you missed it.
Posted 6 years ago by jbuhl    [ Reply ]
Wow a Patti Smith song that dosent sound like Because the Night! Still rubbish though.
Posted 6 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:
I have never understood the attraction some have for Patti Smith.

 
If you listen to enough of her music and/or read her book "Just Kids", or hear an interview, whatever, you get a sense of her personality and that personality comes out in the music.

It's the personality that is attractive so when the music comes on, you recognize it like a friend... "ah yeah, it's Patti. Cool."
Posted 6 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:
Drums are very similar to Our Town off "Field Day" by Marshall Crenshaw.  Which I'd rather be hearing right now.

Sorry Patti, not one of your better efforts.

 
Never saw the point of her. Horses, horses, horses...etc.
Posted 7 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Drums are very similar to Our Town off Field Day by Marshall Crenshaw.  Which I'd rather be hearing right now.

Sorry Patti, not one of your better efforts.
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I have never understood the attraction some have for Patti Smith.
Posted 7 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 dsd wrote:
Is this Patti Smith or Patty Smyth? {#Cool}

 
This
Posted 7 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
One of the most trivial and banal songs I ever listened to.
Posted 8 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Signing (singing?) over that crunching guitar!  Patti carries on with authentic panache! 
Posted 8 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Is this Patti Smith or Patty Smyth? {#Cool}
Posted 8 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith's latest book, M Train, was named a Michigan Notable Book for 2016 by the Library of Michigan. There's a reception for all the authors April 2 in Lansing. (You must buy a ticket in advance!) See you there!
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
One expedient was to sneak in extra washing behind a locked door in Father's psychic tones surgery.
In long black coat she looks like a saint.

Robert A. Heinlein
To Sail Beyond The Sunset

Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
There is a great interview with Patti on 'Fresh Air' (Public radio)
Posted 9 years ago by sheeelaaa    [ Reply ]
GODLIKE
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Definitely a change for her. I loved her "rock-poetess-goddess" persona, so this is quite a shock. I like it because it's a lighter sound for her. I'm glad she explored her options. She must have been wearing a billowy orange and yellow sundress for this one.

 
Cynaera, you were always so positive and interesting...

Yes, definitely a change. I thought this was a fairly recent song, but wow it's from '88. I'm not sure that it's the best kind of song for Patti but hey the woman can sing what she wants. I wouldn't stop everything to listen to this but it's pretty good when supported by a strong set of other songs.  
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Funny how all the shallows seem to need to mention that they don't like this.
great song, Patti !
Posted 9 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]


Patti Smith (L) smiles as the Dalai Lama speaks to the crowd during her performance on the Pyramid Stage as he visits the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, South West England on June 28, 2015.
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Outstanding  artist
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Don't know what youre all whinging about!  Goddesslike!!
Posted 9 years ago by oilydwarf    [ Reply ]
.... logged in to see who this was because it was soo terrible....

Should have known

 
Posted 9 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 kevinc wrote:
Went to see Patti about a year ago. Never really listened to her, but figured I check out what the fuss (many years ago) was all about. I was quite impressed. Felt like I saw the bridge for the doors to Pearl Jam to some of the more recent bands. And I think her voice on this sounds pretty good :)
 
Interesting.  I'm ripping CD's to the HD and stumbled on this album in the pile.  Bought it as a cutout, its even notched.  Didn't care for it much when I bought it way back then.  But anyway, I decided to see if it was in the library and half the songs from this disc are here.  As i'm listening to it, I was thinking just that, Doorsish, only a latter day twist with a female Morrison.  Lyrics don't necessarily flow and the voice is Patti, but much of the music is actually really good.

 
Posted 10 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
NOT enjoyable
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 zoopmama wrote:
I know it's the famous and respected Patti Smith, but to my ears it sounds like uninspired 80s pop dreck.
 
a particularly bad moment in music history when whatever-his-name-bruce-springsteen's producer's sound was all over everything. very 4/4 squarish overbaked drum sounds, bombastic. 

 
Posted 10 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Patti used to live here in Detroit long before the current crop of hipsters arrived from New York City.

The lyric

Along the black river
The Ambassador jewels

is a reference, I think, to the lights on the Ambassador Bridge. That bridge stretches across the Detroit River from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. Detroit's mayor at the time had the idea to put the lights on the bridge. He called them a necklace in the sky.

 
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Definitely a change for her. I loved her "rock-poetess-goddess" persona, so this is quite a shock. I like it because it's a lighter sound for her. I'm glad she explored her options. She must have been wearing a billowy orange and yellow sundress for this one.
 

miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
I know it's the famous and respected Patti Smith, but to my ears it sounds like uninspired 80s pop dreck.
Posted 11 years ago by zoopmama    [ Reply ]
I think I figured out why I get so annoyed when she chatters in her songs. It's like she doesn't trust us to connect with the music, so she has to natter instead. This one is not the worst offender by a long stretch, but it happens to be the one that made me think of this.
Posted 11 years ago by ottojschlosser    [ Reply ]
Sounds very Bruce-y. Wonder if he's involved in this production.
Posted 11 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
..if great music inspires, this one must be great..when Patti sang "Shakespeare's child", my mind shifted to how a historical fiction novel could be based on the Bard's daughter, just as much a genius as he but spurned because she was a female..turn it into an allegory for today..

..or Shakespeare's Daughter, Alien Defender where she gets phasers from the future & protects Elizabethan England from a hoarde of alien invaders..

..whichever..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
{#Dance}  Rocks!!  More Patti Please
Posted 12 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
Don't think i have heard this before. No real edge, like you would typically expect from Patti.Just MOR.
Posted 12 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
 oilydwarf wrote:
Come on guys! Got to be worth more than an average 5!!!  A rock goddess!
 

Totally agree. What is up?{#Ask}
Posted 12 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
 oilydwarf wrote:
Come on guys! Got to be worth more than an average 5!!!  A rock goddess!
 
She is pretty talented but this is a bit generic for her.  Now play Horses and I'll give that a 10!

Posted 12 years ago by Siljanus    [ Reply ]
Come on guys! Got to be worth more than an average 5!!!  A rock goddess!
Posted 12 years ago by oilydwarf    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
Patti is AWESOME!
 

So is her music {#Jump}
Posted 13 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
Patti is AWESOME!
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Definitely a change for her. I loved her "rock-poetess-goddess" persona, so this is quite a shock. I like it because it's a lighter sound for her. I'm glad she explored her options. She must have been wearing a billowy orange and yellow sundress for this one.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Interesting ratings distribution - the rating is a 5, but there are two distinct groups clustered around 1 and 7. No agreement on this song.

Posted 13 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
choffman2001 wrote:
Can't stand Patti Smith - three out of the last 4 songs sucked - changing the station.
Later!
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Can't stand Patti Smith - three out of the last 4 songs sucked - changing the station.
Posted 18 years ago by choffman2001    [ Reply ]
when the tambourine and backup vocls steal the show, there's a problem
Posted 18 years ago by meghan89    [ Reply ]
:frustrated This is the kind of crap that has given the 80\'s a bad name..
Posted 22 years ago by paymerich    [ Reply ]
Hitting the Mute Button (I Am).
Posted 22 years ago by Enrique    [ Reply ]
Each time she comes on, I try to listen open-minded. but soon the (rude) comment Mick Jagger once gave, when they asked him about her, gets in the way. \'A university teacher, who acts she\'s a whore\'. No business like showbusiness.
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
When did Patty start getting her song titles from Yoda? She\'s one of a kind, she is.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
As much as I try to appreciate PS, her voice just sucks ass.
Posted 22 years ago by eric_w88    [ Reply ]
Nice
Posted 22 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]
Went to see Patti about a year ago. Never really listened to her, but figured I check out what the fuss (many years ago) was all about. I was quite impressed. Felt like I saw the bridge for the doors to Pearl Jam to some of the more recent bands. And I think her voice on this sounds pretty good :)
Posted 22 years ago by kevinc    [ Reply ]