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Patti Smith — Frederick
Album: Wave
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2041









Released: 1979
Length: 2:58
Plays (last 30 days): 4
hi hello wake from thy sleep
God has given your soul to keep
all of the power that burns in the flame
ignites the light in a single name

Frederick name of care
fast asleep in a room somewhere
guardian angels [line a bed]
shed their light on my sleepy head

I am a threshold yearning to sing
down with the the dancers having one last fling
here's to the moment when you said hello
come on my spirit are you ready let's go

hi hi hey hey
maybe I will come back some day now
but tonight on the wings of a dove
up above to the land of love

now I lay me down to sleep
pray the Lord my soul to keep
kiss to kiss breath to breath
my soul surrenders astonished to death

night of wonder for us to keep
set our sails channel [out] deep
after the rapture two hearts meet
mine entwined in a single beat

Frederick you're the one
as we journey from sun to sun
all the dreams I waited so long for
fly tonight so long so long

bye bye hey hey
maybe we will come back some day now
but tonight on the wings of a dove
up above to the land of love

Frederick name of care
high above in sky that's clear
all the things I've been dreamin' of
are expressed in this name of love

bye bye hey hey
maybe we will come back some day now
but tonight on the wings of a dove
up above . . .

This is dedicated to my clarinet teacher
Fred Sonic Smith
Comments (178)add comment
released the year I graduated high school. In Ann Arbor, where she lived at the time. With Iggy Pop. And the MC5.
and only in the last few years have I begun to appreciate this art.
well, better late than never!
 sfyi2001 wrote:
sung:
Because the night,  
sounds just.
like.
this.

{#Crown}


I get the similarity.  
Was jamming to this in high school.  Great album. 
 sfyi2001 wrote:
sung:
Because the night,  
sounds just.
like.
this.

{#Crown}


Wonder if Mr. Springsteen received any credit for this., not that he needs the $$.
out of the blue, a tune by Patti that doesn't quite work for me...
Patti.  There's only one of her and always stellar.
I'm very flattered by this song :o)
She is SO cool
 krkinen wrote:

9 for me


Nothing short of 10 but that's me
thiught this was about her husband fred sonic smith?
 Grayson wrote:
This is such a great Patti Smith song that I couldn't come up with anything to say about it that would fit well. Never knew it was about Fred Smith. Hell, never read the lyrics until just now, given the new RP website design. I've never been a lyrics reader. Just want the mysteries inherent in a song if you sense 'n feel it more than read off words on a sleeve. Not sure how I feel about reading all these song lyrics now via the layout/columns of the new site. A little soon to tell, but I think it's gonna be a good thing. I mean, after 40-years, there ain't many mysteries or mystiques left! So finding out new stuff, such as how this song was written for a soulmate, well... that's ok. 
 

This song opens the album and closes with the title track, Wave, which is an homage to her late father.  A very pleasant listen from beginning to end with the context in mind.
party time, 40 years ago, still today
 sfyi2001 wrote:
sung:
Because the night,  
sounds just.
like.
this.

{#Crown}
 Horses***!

 MassivRuss wrote:

What? Why? Why is this 6.5? Come RPers! It's Patti Smith!

the production...kind of cheesy synth effect in there. just one gal's opinion - she is usually better.

it's her best pop song in my humble opinion.
Never heard this song before RP. Love it. Tempo is similar to BTN, but I love the lyrics!
 arserocket wrote:

Right on!
 
'tis 6.6 now
sung:
Because the night,  
sounds just.
like.
this.

{#Crown}
This is such a great Patti Smith song that I couldn't come up with anything to say about it that would fit well. Never knew it was about Fred Smith. Hell, never read the lyrics until just now, given the new RP website design. I've never been a lyrics reader. Just want the mysteries inherent in a song if you sense 'n feel it more than read off words on a sleeve. Not sure how I feel about reading all these song lyrics now via the layout/columns of the new site. A little soon to tell, but I think it's gonna be a good thing. I mean, after 40-years, there ain't many mysteries or mystiques left! So finding out new stuff, such as how this song was written for a soulmate, well... that's ok. 
 Tomasni wrote:
 MassivRuss wrote:
What? Why? Why is this 6.5? Come RPers! It's Patti Smith!
 To me it is  8

 
9 for me
Love anything by the goddess of punk
 treatment_bound wrote:

That would be a question for Grammarcop.
 
You are forcing me to visit Elmwood. Which isn't a bad thing because it gives me an excuse to go birding. Look for a photo soon. 
 MassivRuss wrote:
What? Why? Why is this 6.5? Come RPers! It's Patti Smith!
 
Right on!
What? Why? Why is this 6.5? Come RPers! It's Patti Smith!
 jambo wrote:

uh, what angel and how old? just asking politely 
 
That would be a question for Grammarcop.
 treatment_bound wrote:



 
uh, what angel and how old? just asking politely 
Some songs don't last.
Some do.
Very few get better with each listen.
The last group are the territory of genius.

This song has gotten better for almost 40 years.
 Grammarcop wrote:
"Sonic" Smith's gravestone is made from rock from the island off the coast of Ireland where he proposed to Patti. Patti chose his gravesite location in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery specifically because it is under the gaze of an angel on another, much older headstone.

 

 Proclivities wrote:

"Worst of the '70s"?  Really?  I guess you don't remember "Billy, Don't Be A Hero", "You Light Up My Life", Having My Baby", "Seasons In The Sun", "Feelings", or "Carry On My Wayward Son".

 
Generally like your comments, but "Wayward Son?"  Were you just checking to see if everyone else was paying attention?
 MassivRuss wrote:
"the wings of a dove."  == Bill's hook from the preceding "When Doves Cry".

RP bein' RP.
 
Same thought :) Thanks Bill for being there...
Think I just threw up a little. PSD!
 tockpeas wrote:

Springsteen wrote Because the Night (with Patti) and looks like Patti took some additional 'inspiration' from him for this song:

The melody of "Frederick" is a homage to Bruce Springsteen's live arrangement of "Prove It All Night" from the then-recent Darkness Tour of 1978.

 



 
OMG that totally makes sense—'Prove It All Night'—of course! 
Funny, in my first year of college I  wore out a cassette bootleg of a Boss concert recorded off the board in Cleveland from the Darkness tour.  He not only did 'Prove It.." but also "Because The Night"—WHAT a guitar solo
 ch83575 wrote:
Bowie -> Prince -> Patti 

I had to quickly check to make sure she is still with us.  Thankfully so.

  I had the very same reaction!


 NorthernLad wrote:
That sounds like Because The Night...same hook

 
Springsteen wrote Because the Night (with Patti) and looks like Patti took some additional 'inspiration' from him for this song:

The melody of "Frederick" is a homage to Bruce Springsteen's live arrangement of "Prove It All Night" from the then-recent Darkness Tour of 1978.

 


 Grammarcop wrote:
"Sonic" Smith's gravestone is made from rock from the island off the coast of Ireland where he proposed to Patti. Patti chose his gravesite location in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery specifically because it is under the gaze of an angel on another, much older headstone.

 
Excellent Song of Love
 ch83575 wrote:
Bowie -> Prince -> Patti 

I had to quickly check to make sure she is still with us.  Thankfully so.

 
She's still alive in Malick's Song to Song
Her songs cut me. Love her.
"the wings of a dove."  == Bill's hook from the preceding "When Doves Cry".

RP bein' RP.

Bowie -> Prince -> Patti 

I had to quickly check to make sure she is still with us.  Thankfully so.
That sounds like Because The Night...same hook
 number7 wrote:
Loved her since I heard "Piss Factory"
 
Forty hours, thirty-six dollars a week
But it's a paycheck, Jack.
 Proclivities wrote:

"Worst of the '70s"?  Really?  I guess you don't remember "Billy, Don't Be A Hero", "You Light Up My Life", Having My Baby", "Seasons In The Sun", "Feelings", or "Carry On My Wayward Son".

 
HAHAHA
but c'mon. Kansas doesn't belong on that list
I bought this CD the other day at Barnes and Noble, brand new, for four dolla and ninety nine cent

.{#Cowboy}

 
Loved her since I heard "Piss Factory"
Certainly an original.
 amb599 wrote:
Worst of the 70's.  I doubt anyone that doesn't have original memories to attach this to will really enjoy it.

 
"Worst of the '70s"?  Really?  I guess you don't remember "Billy, Don't Be A Hero", "You Light Up My Life", Having My Baby", "Seasons In The Sun", "Feelings", or "Carry On My Wayward Son".
She has many that will grow on you{#Biggrin}
 bm.deavenport613 wrote:
I was never a huge fan of hers, but this song is growing on me.

 
I've always been a huge fan of hers, and this song never needed to grow—awesome.
 rommesw wrote:
Average of 6.1 for this song? This needs to be changed in my opinion, it reminds me of all the partys we made, dancing wild. I think its great!!

 
I will not disagree, but maybe you should not expect that the entire listening and rating audience is as aware of your parties as you are. Other than signing in under a multiplicity of aliases and rating this song a 10 each time (no, don't), how will this information raise the rating for this song? I be puzzled.
Average of 6.1 for this song? This needs to be changed in my opinion, it reminds me of all the partys we made, dancing wild. I think its great!!
I was never a huge fan of hers, but this song is growing on me.
 
Posted: Aug 11, 2011 - 19:16
 

 roborob wrote:
I used to think Patti Smith was a fresh sound in rock and roll.  I no longer think so.  Here, we have Patti Smith sounding like Patti Smith.  (I was able to lip dub the lyrics to Because the Night right over top of this dog.)

johnjconn wrote:

huh?
WTF u talking bout Willis?
Patti Smith sounding like Patti Smith?

Maybe she should sound like someone other than Patti Smith?
Or maybe she should sound like Patti Smith instead?
There again, there's always Patti Smith to sound like!

 
probably means Patty Smyth (Ms John McEnroe : )
youtube: Scandal, Patty Smyth - The Warrior 
She may sing my name, but i still don't like it.
 Grammarcop wrote:
"Sonic" Smith's gravestone is made from rock from the island off the coast of Ireland where he proposed to Patti. Patti chose his gravesite location in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery specifically because it is under the gaze of an angel on another, much older headstone.

 
super woman

thanks for this Grammarcop : ) 
"Sonic" Smith's gravestone is made from rock from the island off the coast of Ireland where he proposed to Patti. Patti chose his gravesite location in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery specifically because it is under the gaze of an angel on another, much older headstone.
 The_Enemy wrote:

When I saw her in a concert awhile back, Patti said she was given the song but wasn't planning to listen to it because of various attitude problems she had at the time about Springsteen.

But one night, she was waiting for Fred Smith to call (they had a "telephone date") and he was hours late. So she listened to the tape she had been given and liked it despite her preconceptions of what the song would be like. So she wrote lyrics to pass the time  ("Love is a ring, the telephone ")

 
True. The version that Patti Smith sings is lyrically different from the version Bruce sings live, I think. 
Worst of the 70's.  I doubt anyone that doesn't have original memories to attach this to will really enjoy it.
Exceptional good memories and emotions with this song, university days with more unknown than known.  
 Proclivities wrote:

As far as I remember, "Because The Night" was co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith.
 
When I saw her in a concert awhile back, Patti said she was given the song but wasn't planning to listen to it because of various attitude problems she had at the time about Springsteen.

But one night, she was waiting for Fred Smith to call (they had a "telephone date") and he was hours late. So she listened to the tape she had been given and liked it despite her preconceptions of what the song would be like. So she wrote lyrics to pass the time  ("Love is a ring, the telephone ")
Fred "Sonic" Smith is buried in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery. I will be there on Friday and will stop to pay my respects. 
Goddess!
PSD - and the album cover?
First time I've heard Bill provide a book recommendation - but I can heartily join him in recommending Patti's wonderful, and Bill is right, beautifully written memoir, Just Kids. 
Poppiest Patti song, but its about her beloved Fred Smith so I can't say much, except love to Patti.
 ColdMiser wrote:
Yet another great production by Todd Rundgren
 

affirmative...
 Darlington wrote:
I started to post this and realize that I'd posted it almost 5 years ago! Scary...

Don't know if this has been posted here yet, but it does sound like "Because the Night," because its tune is based on or is derivitive of the long intro for the live version of another song, "Prove it All Night" used by Bruce Springsteen during the Darkness on the Edge of Town tour, circa 1978. I read somewhere (I think) that Patty Smith heard this this long intro, liked it, and wrote a song around it. I am pretty sure that Jimmy Iovine, who gave Because the Night (then unfinished) to Patti Smith also had a hand in this one too, but I am not sure.
 
As far as I remember, "Because The Night" was co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith.

I really recommend buying this double album from Patti. In her words. . . one cd is what people expect to hear from her and the other is what she wants you to hear.

She is certainly on my list of ultimate dinner party guests. 
There are So many better PS songs, this is really AOR stuff, every genius blinks once.
I used to think Patti Smith was a fresh sound in rock and roll.  I no longer think so.  Here, we have Patti Smith sounding like Patti Smith.  (I was able to lip dub the lyrics to Because the Night right over top of this dog.)

The cover art reminds me of the one about the six blind men and the elephant (and one of them sticks his hand up the elephant's arse).

 ColdMiser wrote:
Yet another great production by Todd Rundgren
 
+1
Yet another great production by Todd Rundgren
 Darlington wrote:

Don't know if this has been posted here yet, but it does sound like "Because the Night," because its tune is based on or is derivitive of the long intro for the live version of another song, "Prove it All Night" used by Bruce Springsteen during the Darkness on the Edge of Town tour, circa 1978. I read somewhere (I think) that Patty Smith heard this this long intro, liked it, and wrote a song around it. I am pretty sure that Jimmy Iovine, who gave Because the Night (then unfinished) to Patti Smith also had a hand in this one too, but I am not sure.
 
Now that you mention it, yeah, it does sound like "Prove it all night".

I'd like to look at her eyes..nice comment  Mister Misterfixit wrote:
Patti had a rough time of life after Fred died, followed by Todd Smith, her brother and one of her oldest and dearest friends, Rick Sohl; her trip off of the stage in '77 still causes her all kinds of agony from her neck injury.  After that fall and receover she could hardly turn her head to check the mirrors in her car.

Personally Patti is wildly acerbic, warm, empathetic, courageous, emotive, witty, outrageous, creative, and and all around terrific person.  Been that way since forever.  Read her poetry and next time you see her perform look at her eyes.
 


An incredible lyricist with a distinctive voice. She always makes me think of an old, wise, smoking aunt who tells you things you remember when you finally grow into them and they make sense. I always like Patti!!
{#Hearteyes}
 lmic wrote:
Patti playing FOR FREE at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park this Sunday!
 
Oh, man - I WISH I could be there!  Talk about once-in-a-lifetime... *sighs in envy*

Patti playing FOR FREE at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park this Sunday!
 calypsus_1 wrote:

Provinssi 07: Patti Smith VI by ~ineb
Beni Köhler  ©2007-2010 ~ineb

Patti Smith performed in Provinssirock, she did a very good gig, and even though I was only allowed to photograph during the first song, I managed to get a good selection of colourful photos.

  I like her music.  And I can understand why she doesn't want her picture taken.  Sheesh, she has a thicker mustache than I do!


This is much more upbeat and positive than some of her songs - I've never heard it before, but I like it. (I might have to just create a signature-line that says, "I've never heard this before, but I like it!" since that seems to be the comment I'm posting on every song played so far. I am lame. *facepalm*
"Come on my spirit, are you ready to go?" 

"My soul surrenders, astonished to death"

How can you not love this joy?
I usually like Patti Smith's work, but not this piece.  Maybe it's the drumming.

 muzakluver wrote:

Yes, it really is.

 

I beg to differ.
The best show I've ever seen in my life - and I've seen hundreds ranging from Cream and Hendrix in the 60's to Radiohead and Spoon in the last couple of years - was Patti at the 40 Watt in Athens, GA, in 2001. Unbelievable - I and several others stumbled out the door and into the gutter, exhausted from the sheer exhiliration afterwards. From the moment the band jumped into "Rock and Roll Star" and traveled through a range of songs - "Horses", "Babelogue", "Southern Cross", "Spell" - so many gems. I can't imagine any show ever being as good as that. And I had my 14-year-old son with me, both of us right up at the edge of the stage. In the first or second song she looked down at him and immediately handed him her guitar pick. He still has it. I love her. What a human.

One of the best true love romance marriages in all rock n' roll.
And this song? Rocks. And Patti herself? RnR Goddess.
try listening to her Easter album

 
elstring wrote:


Don't feel bad, I don't either.  To each his own.
 


 SweTex wrote:

Hannio wrote:

Oh, come on.  It's not that bad.

 
handyrae wrote:


Yes it is.
 

No,It's not. (I can do this forever, you know)
 
Yes, it really is.

no.
Patti had a rough time of life after Fred died, followed by Todd Smith, her brother and one of her oldest and dearest friends, Rick Sohl; her trip off of the stage in '77 still causes her all kinds of agony from her neck injury.  After that fall and receover she could hardly turn her head to check the mirrors in her car.

Personally Patti is wildly acerbic, warm, empathetic, courageous, emotive, witty, outrageous, creative, and and all around terrific person.  Been that way since forever.  Read her poetry and next time you see her perform look at her eyes.
Fred "Sonic" Smith was a local legend in Detroit. He left us too soon.
 
 mirland wrote:
I don't get it. I simply just don't get the Patti Smith phenomena.
 

Don't feel bad, I don't either.  To each his own.
Can't find 'fast-forward' button ... help!!! {#Crashcomp}

Hannio wrote:

Oh, come on.  It's not that bad.

 
handyrae wrote:


Yes it is.
 

No,It's not. (I can do this forever, you know)
if you don't get it..... then you just don't get it!!

The lady rocks
 Hannio wrote:


Oh, come on.  It's not that bad.
 

Yes it is.
to quote Mr. Zappa... " A marvelous little arpeggio"
 Hannio wrote:


Oh, come on.  It's not that bad.
 
give me a break, I'm PMSing!!
 dogpound wrote:
brings a tear to the eye
 

Oh, come on.  It's not that bad.
brings a tear to the eye
did we just get on the `sucko barfo` train?
this is the third horrid song in a row....
yaaaaahhhhhh!

      


 RadioDoc wrote:

You kinda had to be there.

I was.

8

 
Me Too

"Because the Night" We played it to shreds in high school.

I started to post this and realize that I'd posted it almost 5 years ago! Scary...

Don't know if this has been posted here yet, but it does sound like "Because the Night," because its tune is based on or is derivitive of the long intro for the live version of another song, "Prove it All Night" used by Bruce Springsteen during the Darkness on the Edge of Town tour, circa 1978. I read somewhere (I think) that Patty Smith heard this this long intro, liked it, and wrote a song around it. I am pretty sure that Jimmy Iovine, who gave Because the Night (then unfinished) to Patti Smith also had a hand in this one too, but I am not sure.


mirland wrote:
I don't get it. I simply just don't get the Patti Smith phenomena.

You kinda had to be there.

I was.

8

 mirland wrote:
I don't get it. I simply just don't get the Patti Smith phenomena.
 

Try "Horses" or "Easter"
I don't get it. I simply just don't get the Patti Smith phenomena.
No, it's not a punk track.  "Frederick" was heavily influenced by Todd Rundgren's slick production skills; he's responsible for the pop hooks.  Patti resisted, but ultimately relented.  Both she and Todd hoped that Wave would get wider airplay than her previous releases.  It was a partially-successful effort.
 sub-arctic wrote:

And how on earth can this be classified as punk??!!!

 
If you are so obsessed with classifying art, you kind of miss the point of punk.

 sub-arctic wrote:

And how on earth can this be classified as punk??!!!
 
She doesn't shave her underarms?
 bytejunkie55 wrote:
Patti Smith is the goddess of punk
 
And how on earth can this be classified as punk??!!!

bytejunkie55 wrote:
Patti Smith is the goddess of punk Only a 5.9 come on are you people sleeping.
10
Patti Smith is the goddess of punk Only a 5.9 come on are you people sleeping.
E_A_D_G wrote:
Patti can do no wrong. A very welcome addition to The Hall.
Word
My all time favorite rock poet!!!
Jamunca wrote:
Now this is an historic moment. It's the first time in six years of listening that I've heard Radio Paradise played back-to-back sucko-barfo songs. Patti Smith - Frederick Love and Rockets - No New Tale To Tell What's next? Apples in Stereo? Is the trifecta in play?
did it again
I love this song and the beautiful way Smith shares with us her love for her husband.
an easy 9
Now this is an historic moment. It's the first time in six years of listening that I've heard Radio Paradise played back-to-back sucko-barfo songs. Patti Smith - Frederick Love and Rockets - No New Tale To Tell What's next? Apples in Stereo? Is the trifecta in play?
Maybe the most wonderful, personal love song ever written... (LISTEN TO THE LYRICS, those of you who dismiss this tune out of hand!) All the more poignant given the most personal loss that followed. Patti is astonishingly direct and deep as always. Thanks for playing...
Patti can do no wrong. A very welcome addition to The Hall.