Patti Smith — Dancing Barefoot
Album: WaveAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 4276
Length: 4:10
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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She is benediction
She is addicted to thee
She is the root connection
She is connecting with he
Here I go and I don't know why
I fell so ceaselessly
Could it be he's taking over me...?
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is sublimation
She is the essence of thee
She is concentrating on
He, who is chosen by she
Here I go and I don't know why
I spin so ceaselessly
Could it be he's taking over me...?
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is re-creation
She, intoxicated by thee
She has the slow sensation that
He is levitating with she ...
Here I go and I don't know why
I spin so ceaselessly
'Til I lose my sense of gravity...
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
(Oh god I fell for you...)
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
Grave visitations, what is it that calls to us?
Why must we pray screaming? Why must not death be redefined?
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms, and whirl on a pane of glass
An affixation a fix on anything, the line of life the limb of a tree
The hands of he and the promise that he is blessed among women.
(Oh god I fell for you...)
She is addicted to thee
She is the root connection
She is connecting with he
Here I go and I don't know why
I fell so ceaselessly
Could it be he's taking over me...?
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is sublimation
She is the essence of thee
She is concentrating on
He, who is chosen by she
Here I go and I don't know why
I spin so ceaselessly
Could it be he's taking over me...?
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is re-creation
She, intoxicated by thee
She has the slow sensation that
He is levitating with she ...
Here I go and I don't know why
I spin so ceaselessly
'Til I lose my sense of gravity...
I'm dancing barefoot
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
(Oh god I fell for you...)
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
Grave visitations, what is it that calls to us?
Why must we pray screaming? Why must not death be redefined?
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms, and whirl on a pane of glass
An affixation a fix on anything, the line of life the limb of a tree
The hands of he and the promise that he is blessed among women.
(Oh god I fell for you...)
Comments (517)add comment
Never fails to get me to TURN IT UP! 
I've always wondered about the little play on words here. "Makes me come on like some heroine/heroin. If you've ever dabbled in the opium, there is a certain 'coming on' when it kicks in.
A bit like Aimee Mann's song "High on Sunday 51" which includes the lyric "Hate the sinner but love the sin let me be your heroine/heroin."
A bit like Aimee Mann's song "High on Sunday 51" which includes the lyric "Hate the sinner but love the sin let me be your heroine/heroin."
haresfur wrote:
Very polite
A friend of mine was dancing barefoot with a guy in bar, when she stepped in a pool of spilt beer. She said, "It figures. The woman always gets the wet spot."
(I will delete if too inappropriate, Bill.)
Very polite
Todd Rundgren in the production chair - and on bass for this track! Play more Todd, RP!
This is a very appropriate theme song for the Daisy Jones and The Six series on Netflix. Grows on you more with each listen.
let the lamp affix its beam
the only emperor is the emperor of ice cream
the only emperor is the emperor of ice cream
upgraded to 10. Biased after reading her fabulous autobiographies
I came rushing in to rate this a 10 only to find I had already done so a long time ago. Wicked song!
timmus wrote:
iirc I did used to hear this on WTUL in NOLA, but that was before they took a bit of a dive.
I don't understand why I never heard this song on the radio back in 1979 or the 1980s, even on the AOR stations. It had to have been the early 1990s before I became aware of it. Must be the age old issue with crappy radio playlists.
iirc I did used to hear this on WTUL in NOLA, but that was before they took a bit of a dive.
I don't understand why I never heard this song on the radio back in 1979 or the 1980s, even on the AOR stations. It had to have been the early 1990s before I became aware of it. Must be the age old issue with crappy radio playlists.
This is one of the many tunes produced by Todd Rundgren. I have a lovely CD entitled An Elpee's Worth of Productions; it's quite the smorgasbord of musicians.
The first version I heard of this was the Siouxsie and the Banshees cover. And I have a hard time separating the two. Both are excellent.
I haven't heard this in years! Thanks, Bill! Love this station!
Ok_Sobriquet wrote:
wow, that was powerful.
Do yourself a favor and watch Patti do this live with only a guitar player.
Patti Smith - Dancing Barefoot (Later with Jools)
Patti Smith - Dancing Barefoot (Later with Jools)
wow, that was powerful.
Still got this album too. Viva Patty!
sounds a bit similar to the last song
Love her voice!
Fantastic song. You should hear the Feelies cover, it's even better!
Do yourself a favor and watch Patti do this live with only a guitar player.
Patti Smith - Dancing Barefoot (Later with Jools)
Patti Smith - Dancing Barefoot (Later with Jools)
First time I've read the lyrics. Well, I guess the song is not about "heroin", but about a "heroine". There is still that impulse to think about what she means when she says the word, since you don't know from listening if there's an "e" at the end of the word.
Piss factory.
dmiklitz wrote:
Always liked this song. It happens to be have been produced by Todd Rundgren.
He has a way with pop tunes....I like it anyway!Always liked this song. It happens to be have been produced by Todd Rundgren.
Aud wrote:
A smidge more than that - if you consult the wiki on your right --->
That said, I've heard this song a bunch of times, never realized it was Patti though. She's awesome.
40+ years old! WOW!
A smidge more than that - if you consult the wiki on your right --->
That said, I've heard this song a bunch of times, never realized it was Patti though. She's awesome.
40+ years old! WOW!
Silvervanman wrote:
Patti has 20 tracks on the playlist. Maybe you need to listen more
I love Patti Smith, but she has done other tracks besides this one, which I keep hearing..
Patti has 20 tracks on the playlist. Maybe you need to listen more
......great run of tracks until this!
I love Patti Smith, but she has done other tracks besides this one, which I keep hearing..
I always dig the song, right up until the last stanza and then it loses me. 
Love love love the goddess of punk
bev wrote:
She has a new book out - going to see her speak in San Francisco in October (and everyone gets a copy of her book, which is great). And this song is a 9 for me.
March 19, 2012 I wrote: "Rock goddess poet Patti. I am forever smitten with this song." Still true. More than ever. Her books are tremendous as well (just finished "M Train" — transporting!).
She has a new book out - going to see her speak in San Francisco in October (and everyone gets a copy of her book, which is great). And this song is a 9 for me.
A friend of mine was dancing barefoot with a guy in bar, when she stepped in a pool of spilt beer. She said, "It figures. The woman always gets the wet spot."
(I will delete if too inappropriate, Bill.)
(I will delete if too inappropriate, Bill.)
Grayson wrote:
Yeah, almost; this song is so fxxxing great!!
Time to go to the 10 on this one.
Yeah, almost; this song is so fxxxing great!!
Time to go to the 10 on this one.
ScottishWillie wrote:
Interesting. There are some tracks from the first two Pretenders albums that felt pretty punk, like Tattooed Love Boys and Bad Boys Get Spanked.
Personally I don't think Chrissie Hynde was ever a punk artist, The Pretenders came after that. I realise that the timing of punk was different in the USA but Chrissie and the band were considered ‘New Wave’ in the UK .
Interesting. There are some tracks from the first two Pretenders albums that felt pretty punk, like Tattooed Love Boys and Bad Boys Get Spanked.
It feels I've beel looking into the universe asking for this help, the very meaning of her name is help.
Thank you Bill.
Thank you Bill.
Just powerful. One of the great songs.
HAPPY FEET
jbuhl wrote:
I'm wondering how much longer they will be in business. Mammoth Bookstores seem to be going extinct, much like Woolly Mammoths!
I bought this brand new CD at Barnes & Noble for $4.99 the other day. 
Good place to find gems like this one for cheapo. Funny how just in the last few months the entire CD section has been moved into a jumbled back section and Vinyl has moved to the feature section.
Good place to find gems like this one for cheapo. Funny how just in the last few months the entire CD section has been moved into a jumbled back section and Vinyl has moved to the feature section.I'm wondering how much longer they will be in business. Mammoth Bookstores seem to be going extinct, much like Woolly Mammoths!
Makes me tap my feets!
Not a fan. I realize a lot of people are though.
hempmandan wrote:
She may be more associated with Punk Rock and Natalie Merchant may sound like her but Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten still thought Chrissie Hynde was the best female Punk Vocalist of all time...but do you see the similarities between Patty and Natalie?
Personally I don't think Chrissie Hynde was ever a punk artist, The Pretenders came after that. I realise that the timing of punk was different in the USA but Chrissie and the band were considered ‘New Wave’ in the UK .
Such a powerful song for me. Been in my life's soundtrack for almost 40 years.
I bought this brand new CD at Barnes & Noble for $4.99 the other day. Good place to find gems like this one for cheapo. Funny how just in the last few months the entire CD section has been moved into a jumbled back section and Vinyl has moved to the feature section.
Good place to find gems like this one for cheapo. Funny how just in the last few months the entire CD section has been moved into a jumbled back section and Vinyl has moved to the feature section.perfect!
nutrod42 wrote:
Yep, love that version too.
I love the U2 version a bit more, because it has more dynamic in it.
Yep, love that version too.
I love the U2 version a bit more, because it has more dynamic in it.
Grammarcop wrote:
Everybody in my elevators loves this groovy song... we be dancing barefoot like happy hippies... we dig your cool observation, Grammarcop... hope you are light on your feet these days...
Oh-h-h-h-h... I thought she is changing from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid first.
Everybody in my elevators loves this groovy song... we be dancing barefoot like happy hippies... we dig your cool observation, Grammarcop... hope you are light on your feet these days...
robertheston wrote:
Beautiful song! Hey she works checkout at Schmidt's, and she does have fabulous long hands : P
(though she does not appear to have the very tall neck of Modigliani's Muse)
"Dancing Barefoot" is a rock song written by Patti Smith and Ivan Kral, and released as a second single from Patti Smith Group 1979 album Wave. According to the album sleeve, the song was dedicated to women such as Amedeo Modigliani's mistress Jeanne Hébuterne.
Beautiful song! Hey she works checkout at Schmidt's, and she does have fabulous long hands : P
(though she does not appear to have the very tall neck of Modigliani's Muse)
I wouldn't dance barefeet down my street, its strewn with broken glass and dog shit
This song always brings me back to 80, dancing barefoot with someone, well,,, maybe more than dancing,,,and maybe more than feet that were bare.......
Smith knew this was her last album before going off to be a housewife, hence the title "Wave."
Her producer for this was long time friend Todd Rundgren.
Her producer for this was long time friend Todd Rundgren.
Nice for a road trip 
Dazzerb wrote:
Yep, love that version too.
U2 did a pretty good job with the cover on this. Great track.
Yep, love that version too.
I was always partial to holistic
Once I got into minimal running
Ended up in barefoot dancin
Mama says it's healing.
March 19, 2012 I wrote: "Rock goddess poet Patti. I am forever smitten with this song." Still true. More than ever. Her books are tremendous as well (just finished "M Train" — transporting!).
Desert Island Top Ten Songs Ever
Bohemian Like You into this..................... that's why you're the master
U2 did a pretty good job with the cover on this. Great track.
Grammarcop wrote:
Oh-h-h-h-h... I thought she is changing from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid first.
Oh-h-h-h-h... I thought she is changing from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid first.
She may be more associated with Punk Rock and Natalie Merchant may sound like her but Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten still thought Chrissie Hynde was the best female Punk Vocalist of all time...but do you see the similarities between Patty and Natalie?
Lazarus wrote:
"She is sublimation"...
Freud described sublimation as the diversion of psychic energy derived from sexual impulses into nonsexual activity, especially of a creative nature...
profound... love this song...
Oh-h-h-h-h... I thought she is changing from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid first.
"She is sublimation"...
Freud described sublimation as the diversion of psychic energy derived from sexual impulses into nonsexual activity, especially of a creative nature...
profound... love this song...
Oh-h-h-h-h... I thought she is changing from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid first.
Let's go Patty 
Think I still prefer the U2 version. Familiarity I suppose. I've heard theirs dozens of times. In fact, I had no idea it wasn't their song until just now. Thanks for the edumacation, RP.
maxjboxer wrote:
I guess you will also be going to the anti war protest against that moron Obama. Oh that's right, that was pure political hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy | Define Hypocrisy dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypocrisya pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
If you think there's a dime's worth of difference between Bush & Obama (R's and D's), then you should look up the words "gullible" and "naive".
Both parties are right-wing corporatist whores, one just a little more or less than the other.
I guess you will also be going to the anti war protest against that moron Obama. Oh that's right, that was pure political hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy | Define Hypocrisy dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypocrisy
Dictionary.com
If you think there's a dime's worth of difference between Bush & Obama (R's and D's), then you should look up the words "gullible" and "naive".
Both parties are right-wing corporatist whores, one just a little more or less than the other.
JsDad wrote:
Thus?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+feelies+dancing+barefoot
Looks you have multiple choices. Hope this helps.
As much as enjoy this, I once heard a cover of this by The Feelies that I thought was tremendous. Have spent my entire life trying to track down a copy. Any suggestions from the incredibly knowledgeable RP crowd?
Thus?
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+feelies+dancing+barefoot
Looks you have multiple choices. Hope this helps.
;stalfnzo wrote:
I guess you will also be going to the anti war protest against that moron Obama. Oh that's right, that was pure political hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy | Define Hypocrisy dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypocrisya pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
Saw Patti speak and sing at the base of the Washington Monument in DC at an anti-war protest against that moron Bush. What a force. — Patti, that is. WMD my ass.
I guess you will also be going to the anti war protest against that moron Obama. Oh that's right, that was pure political hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy | Define Hypocrisy dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypocrisy
Dictionary.com
dw wrote:
U2?
I'm sure I heard this before (on RP?) but by a different artist or group? Who was that?
U2?
I'm sure I heard this before (on RP?) but by a different artist or group? Who was that?
Saw Patti speak and sing at the base of the Washington Monument in DC at an anti-war protest against that moron Bush. What a force. -- Patti, that is. WMD my ass.
This song gets better every time I hear it. Makes it come on like some heroin.
PS I am of the opinion that the reference is to heroin and the speed with which it overwhelms the user not to being a heroine as suggested by most sites offering lyrics to this song.
PS I am of the opinion that the reference is to heroin and the speed with which it overwhelms the user not to being a heroine as suggested by most sites offering lyrics to this song.
I played this song in my car while I was chauffeuring my 14 yo daughter and a friend the other day - and it totally grabbed their ears! "What's it about?" "What does it mean?"
We listened to it twice. Thank you Patti.
We listened to it twice. Thank you Patti.
Yup, it's Friday afternoon. Wonderful song. Wonder if she or the label added the "e to heroin? or?
hayduke2 wrote:
Just saw a print in a young photographer's studio - Robert continues to inspire as he inspired Patti when they were "Just Kids"
just saw "Gregory's Girl" the other night and noticed a Patti Smith poster in his bedroom, the very photo on this album cover (a Robert Mapplethorp?) As an artist she is intense and insightful
Yep - MapplethorpeJust saw a print in a young photographer's studio - Robert continues to inspire as he inspired Patti when they were "Just Kids"
robertheston wrote:
Wonderful song and much enhanced by the comment and links.
"Dancing Barefoot" is a rock song written by Patti Smith and Ivan Kral, and released as a second single from Patti Smith Group 1979 album Wave. According to the album sleeve, the song was dedicated to women such as Amedeo Modigliani's mistress Jeanne Hébuterne.
Wonderful song and much enhanced by the comment and links.
a solid 8
justin4kick wrote:
That's my situation too. I work nights-too much drama in the daytime. AND I'm also barefoot.
I am working barefoot. Behind my computer. In the office. Alone. With RP on. That´s better companion than most colleagues I worked with in the past.
That's my situation too. I work nights-too much drama in the daytime. AND I'm also barefoot.
This song always makes me stop whatever i am doing and listen. I've been listening to it since the early 80s and has been a constant in the soundtrack of my life. Its also my sobriquet.
A breakthru album on so many levels. Sorry I never appreciated it when it came out. I loved her book, too!
I didn't know she wrote this. Great song!
robertheston wrote:
I like your comment and the song!
"Dancing Barefoot" is a rock song written by Patti Smith and Ivan Kral, and released as a second single from Patti Smith Group 1979 album Wave. Accordi ng to the album sleeve, the song was dedicated to women such as Amedeo Modigliani's mistress Jeanne Hébuterne.
I like your comment and the song!
ziakut wrote:
.........so v good. 9
First Aid Kit does a killer version of this for Patti Smith. Check it out on YouTube.
.........so v good. 9
Nothing but a 10.
First Aid Kit does a killer version of this for Patti Smith. Check it out on YouTube.
"Dancing Barefoot" is a rock song written by Patti Smith and Ivan Kral, and released as a second single from Patti Smith Group 1979 album Wave. According to the album sleeve, the song was dedicated to women such as Amedeo Modigliani's mistress Jeanne Hébuterne.
Here ya go..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_0Hok-2Prs
JsDad wrote:
JsDad wrote:
As much as enjoy this, I once heard a cover of this by The Feelies that I thought was tremendous. Have spent my entire life trying to track down a copy. Any suggestions from the incredibly knowledgeable RP crowd?
As much as enjoy this, I once heard a cover of this by The Feelies that I thought was tremendous. Have spent my entire life trying to track down a copy. Any suggestions from the incredibly knowledgeable RP crowd?
just saw "Gregory's Girl" the other night and noticed a Patti Smith poster in his bedroom, the very photo on this album cover (a Robert Mapplethorpe?) As an artist she is intense and insightful
jtomato wrote:
SERIOUSLY? I like this song but I don't want to hear it every day...Can you stop for a while, please?
Is she crashing on your couch...again? jgriffin56 wrote:
Hah! Me too.
I thought she was singing "I'm dancing BACKWARDS" for the longest time.
Hah! Me too.
Such a fantastic song . . .
where's the zero rating? 1 is too generous
jtomato wrote:
"Plays in last 30 days: 4". Maybe you've just happened to tune in on those 4 days in the last month, which would be plain unlucky.
SERIOUSLY? I like this song but I don't want to hear it every day...Can you stop for a while, please?
"Plays in last 30 days: 4". Maybe you've just happened to tune in on those 4 days in the last month, which would be plain unlucky.
SERIOUSLY? I like this song but I don't want to hear it every day...Can you stop for a while, please?
Saw her in Omaha at the Civic way way back... one of the best live shows EVER.....
I thought she was singing "I'm dancing BACKWARDS" for the longest time.
i swear this was played yesterday...
I am working barefoot. Behind my computer. In the office. Alone. With RP on. That´s better companion than most colleagues I worked with in the past.
We be sublimating and dancing... love this song...
Still on my main playlist. Great to hear it on RP!
I remember when this was released. I was a senior in High School in Austin. I think it was on KLBJ back before they started to suck. It's pretty safe to say it changed my taste in music. Still love this song as much as I did when I first heard it. Thanks y'all as this brightened up my day a tad.
Boy_Wonder wrote:
Saw Patti,.... woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Included this song... great!
Off to see Patti next week....woooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Saw Patti,.... woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Included this song... great!
I absolutely love this song!!!
at the conclusion I opened your RP lyrics, where it is written:
"The hands of he and the promise that he is blessed among women."
She sings/states "she is blessed among women."
at the conclusion I opened your RP lyrics, where it is written:
"The hands of he and the promise that he is blessed among women."
She sings/states "she is blessed among women."
pink wrote:
Very nicely done.
How about his cover? And Patti is in the audience:
Very nicely done.
mmmmmm,,nice
Off to see Patti next week....woooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Sometimes dead-nuts-on-vocals and virtuoso musicianship fit the bill.
But honesty, sincerity, humanity and little imperfections appeal to me the most.
But honesty, sincerity, humanity and little imperfections appeal to me the most.
Eeee-freaking-gads. Maybe some heroine would help my ears modulate to this annoyance.
Somebody out there be my heroine.... come sprinting over the broken glass and pour hot wax into my earholes. Anything. Just make it go away.
Aaaaaaaahhh! PSD. I feel better already.
Somebody out there be my heroine.... come sprinting over the broken glass and pour hot wax into my earholes. Anything. Just make it go away.
Aaaaaaaahhh! PSD. I feel better already.
marvelous...
How about this cover? And Patti is in the audience:
U2 barely pulled this off...
Patti is definitely NOT!
Patti is definitely NOT!
"She is sublimation"...
Freud described sublimation as the diversion of psychic energy derived from sexual impulses into nonsexual activity, especially of a creative nature...
profound... love this song...
Eleven
Everybody in my church loves this song...
She never really did that much for me until I saw her live. I have a whole new respect for her and I am listening closely. Brilliant songwriter, an all out force of barefoot dancing.
fredriley wrote:
The Mission did a great, passionate cover of this in the 90s. Indeed, that was my first exposure to the song, and until I read the comments here I thought this was Patti Smith covering The Mission :o). This original is pretty damn good, though, an easy 8.
Experienced Pearl Jam cover this at Bridge School Benefit 2010, I think? It was awesome. This song has been covered quite a bit as you can see by other responses below.
The Mission did a great, passionate cover of this in the 90s. Indeed, that was my first exposure to the song, and until I read the comments here I thought this was Patti Smith covering The Mission :o). This original is pretty damn good, though, an easy 8.
Experienced Pearl Jam cover this at Bridge School Benefit 2010, I think? It was awesome. This song has been covered quite a bit as you can see by other responses below.
Euskadita wrote:
Check out Clan of Xymox cover, it's excellent imo
Those are good, but the best I ever heard was from The Feelies.
Check out Clan of Xymox cover, it's excellent imo
Those are good, but the best I ever heard was from The Feelies.
So good it hurts
pcicatar wrote:
Check out Concrete Blonde's cover of this on Spirit of 73: Rock for Choice.
Check out Clan of Xymox cover, it's excellent imo
Check out Concrete Blonde's cover of this on Spirit of 73: Rock for Choice.
Check out Clan of Xymox cover, it's excellent imo
Hannio wrote:
The only part I like is the end.
Yeesh. It was pretty good until the end.
The only part I like is the end.
Could you please explain to me just what the hell she's ranting about with the phrase "the transformation of waste"?
My guess is that it's the "waste" of the body. The energy/spirit of the body is transformed from the corporal. E.g. "why must not death be redefined?" Or.... maybe she's just taking out the garbage...