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Patti Smith — Paths That Cross
Album: Dream Of Life
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1731









Released: 1988
Length: 4:15
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Speak to me
Speak to me heart
I feel a needing
to bridge the clouds
Softly go
A way I wish to know
A way I wish to know

Oh you'll ride
Surely dance
In a ring
Backwards and forwards
Those who seek
feel the glow
A glow we will all know
A glow we will all know

On that day
Filled with grace
And the heart's communion
Steps we take
Steps we trace
Into the light of reunion

Paths that cross
will cross again
Paths that cross
will cross again

Speak to me
Speak to me shadow
I spin from the wheel
nothing at all
Save the need
the need to weave
A silk of souls
that whisper whisper
A silk of souls
that whispers to me

Speak to me heart
all things renew
hearts will mend
round the bend
Paths that cross
cross again
Paths that cross
will cross again

Rise up hold the reins
We'll meet again I don't know when
Hold tight bye bye
Paths that cross
will cross again
Paths that cross
Will cross again
Comments (107)add comment
Disappointed in the critical comments posted. This is a beautiful song, and the lyrics are especially poignant if you know that her partner was dying of HIV/AIDs around the time it was released. "Paths that cross, will cross again." 

Posted 4 months ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]


            MARCH 2022




Posted 8 months ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Always makes me think of the sentiments in Fairport's 'The Ledge'. 

Beautiful.
Posted 9 months ago by SpinyNorma    [ Reply ]
@Cynaera -"Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts
impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts
out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain."

Absolutely, and I'd have left it at that.

Wonderful comment - I'll definitely plagiarize that without attribution. It should earn me a chair at Peabody
Posted 9 months ago by MildGeorge    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of "Free Falling"
Posted 1 year ago by nickmetalx3317    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain. When I hear Natalie Merchant's version of "Because the Night" and then go for the Patti Smith rendition, there's no comparison.

Then again, why should there be comparisons at all? Music is music, and if one artist does a song one way and another does it a different way, it's still music, new and fresh, still worthy of a listen, right? 

ducking and running...


She's a female Dylan. A God
Posted 1 year ago by linnex-    [ Reply ]
good lyrics for a funeral/post-party. We had them printed and placed next to great pics  of happy memories at Kazoo's event. He was a fan, especially of this tune. i still believe he knew he would pass earlier but will hope our paths cross again.
Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
OK Bill you are obviously a big Patti fan. I dare you to play "Career of Evil" written by Patti Smith. And you know I would not apologize.
Posted 1 year ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
 czukowski wrote:

Super lame. Patti, what have you done?




I understand you don't like the song. Could you skip and let the rest of enjoy it?
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:

Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain. When I hear Natalie Merchant's version of "Because the Night" and then go for the Patti Smith rendition, there's no comparison.

Then again, why should there be comparisons at all? Music is music, and if one artist does a song one way and another does it a different way, it's still music, still new and fresh, still worthy of a listen, right? 

ducking and running...



Not wishing to further muddy the waters, but how about this ripping version from The Boss in 1978?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Posted 2 years ago by ramsay    [ Reply ]
 deepevil wrote:

Patti Smith is the single biggest disappointment of radio paradise. Vulgarly unlistenable. Please make it stop



If you think the immortal Patti is just an RP artist, you need a life. 
Posted 2 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
I bet she hates being confused with Patty Smyth of the 80s new wave band Scandal.
 
That said I bet if they teamed up and did an album they could get a bit of late-career fame.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 deepevil wrote:

Patti Smith is the single biggest disappointment of radio paradise. Vulgarly unlistenable. Please make it stop



Liking your own post doesn't make it anymore valid. Just a thought  
Posted 2 years ago by TC1    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith is a gift that continues to delight and surprise. 
Posted 2 years ago by Majestic    [ Reply ]
 deepevil wrote:

Patti Smith is the single biggest disappointment of radio paradise. Vulgarly unlistenable. Please make it stop

I have s suggestion hit PSD instead of being a crybaby about the goddess of punk

Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
I love Patti Smith, she's in the first chapter of my book.
Posted 2 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
totally agree on the music and she is a great and very unique artist
Posted 3 years ago by Yiungdrac    [ Reply ]
 deepevil wrote:

Patti Smith is the single biggest disappointment of radio paradise. Vulgarly unlistenable. Please make it stop




Dear Evil, I could ask Bill if he's okay with what evil demands, but you tend to vote down many songs with a 1, so I think your opinion is not representative. Patti Smith is a genius,
Posted 3 years ago by garyevans    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith is the single biggest disappointment of radio paradise. Vulgarly unlistenable. Please make it stop
Posted 3 years ago by deepevil    [ Reply ]
I understand she's a icon and all, and has a great catalog of songs.

this is not one of them. If this song wasn't from "Patti Smith" you'd never play it. it's pretty bad.
Posted 4 years ago by JR_West    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain. When I hear Natalie Merchant's version of "Because the Night" and then go for the Patti Smith rendition, there's no comparison.

Then again, why should there be comparisons at all? Music is music, and if one artist does a song one way and another does it a different way, it's still music, still new and fresh, still worthy of a listen, right? 

ducking and running...
 
She is a poet - the music is just a vehicle ...
Posted 4 years ago by Johnny_Alpha    [ Reply ]
Just heard your comments about the comments (for the good or the bad). I never comment but I did so enjoy that song. Thank you for all that you play!! Keep 'em coming, been listening to you for years!
Posted 5 years ago by willywo    [ Reply ]
She has a new book out and is on tour to support it. Seeing her in October in San Francisco. Her previous book, Just Kids, about New York City and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe, is very good. 
Posted 5 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
gives me goosebumps every time
Posted 5 years ago by DChas    [ Reply ]
thank goodness for the skip button
Posted 5 years ago by ldevich    [ Reply ]
bumped 9 to 10 this day . . . just sublime
Posted 5 years ago by DChas    [ Reply ]
Cant recall if I have heard this soft side of PS. Nice.
Posted 5 years ago by jacopo777    [ Reply ]
Love Ms Smith and everything she does.  What an emotion-filled voice
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Thank you Patty, for the wonderful memory of Samuel J. Wagstaff.  He was good to the world and your lovely piece is a very beautiful tribute
Posted 5 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
Patti Smith, like her fellow New Jersey legend, and co-writer of her biggest hit song, "Because the Night", Bruce Springsteen, must be seen live to be truly appreciated. She is one of the greatest live performers that rock has ever seen. I have seen Patti live about 10  times, and each time was a special, and very unique, performance. I tell people the same thing about Bruce. Whenever someone says they don't like his music, or he is only alright, I ask: "Have you ever seen him perform live?" The answer is inevitably "No". And my reply is: "Well that explains why you are not a fan." I have seen Bruce perform live 34 times, and that is not a lot compared to many Bruce fans. I admit that I grew up in New York City and New Jersey, but most of the times I have seen both Bruce and Patti were when living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Posted 6 years ago by rednred    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain. When I hear Natalie Merchant's version of "Because the Night" and then go for the Patti Smith rendition, there's no comparison.

Then again, why should there be comparisons at all? Music is music, and if one artist does a song one way and another does it a different way, it's still music, still new and fresh, still worthy of a listen, right? 

ducking and running...

 
Beauty
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
She looks like an ugly man. She can sing pretty good though.
 
Idiot. Patti is the most beautiful person in the world.
Posted 8 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
I read the lyrics and thought of a friend who passed away and I cry   love her spirit
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 bstevens1951 wrote:
How old are you?
 
lemmoth wrote:

Well she was born in New Jersey not Canada or Ireland.

She and Neil have an affinity - look online for the great interview she conducted with him.

She and Neil are both genius songwriters IMHO.

Many others feel that way about Van.  I like him but not as much.

Bono and his band - note they are a true band - were the best thing in rock in the 80's & great periodically since then. Still in my top 15 - with Neil and Patti - not Van 

 

 
If you were born in the year that is embedded  in your user name here, I am six years younger than you.  Why do you ask?
Posted 8 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
How old are you?
 
lemmoth wrote:

Well she was born in New Jersey not Canada or Ireland.

She and Neil have an affinity - look online for the great interview she conducted with him.

She and Neil are both genius songwriters IMHO.

Many others feel that way about Van.  I like him but not as much.

Bono and his band - note they are a true band - were the best thing in rock in the 80's & great periodically since then. Still in my top 15 - with Neil and Patti - not Van 

 


Posted 8 years ago by bstevens1951    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
I still don't understand the attraction to Patti Smith.    Stick her in that box with Neil Young, Van Morrison and Bono.
four

 
Well she was born in New Jersey not Canada or Ireland.

She and Neil have an affinity - look online for the great interview she conducted with him.

She and Neil are both genius songwriters IMHO.

Many others feel that way about Van.  I like him but not as much.

Bono and his band - note they are a true band - were the best thing in rock in the 80's & great periodically since then. Still in my top 15 - with Neil and Patti - not Van 
Posted 9 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
I still don't understand the attraction to Patti Smith.    Stick her in that box with Neil Young, Van Morrison and Bono.
 
*Takes her out of the box and puts her on a pedestal* 

*Does the same with Neil*

*Takes duct tape and ensures Van and Bono can't get out* 
Posted 9 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Once is enough
Posted 10 years ago by carlkai    [ Reply ]
Super lame. Patti, what have you done?
Posted 10 years ago by czukowski    [ Reply ]
I still don't understand the attraction to Patti Smith.    Stick her in that box with Neil Young, Van Morrison and Bono.


four
Posted 10 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
fantastic song, lovely thoughts
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Patti is an acquired taste, I guess. I like her music. She spouts impromptu poetry as if she's delirious from a fever, and when she belts out a song, her voice could probably move a mountain. When I hear Natalie Merchant's version of "Because the Night" and then go for the Patti Smith rendition, there's no comparison.

Then again, why should there be comparisons at all? Music is music, and if one artist does a song one way and another does it a different way, it's still music, still new and fresh, still worthy of a listen, right? 

ducking and running...
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

Provinssi 07: Patti Smith VIII 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.

Published in Pohjalainen 2007-06-17



Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
I don't know what happened to the rockin' Patti of my youth, but this ain't it.
Bill, feel free to play anything from Patti's rockin' days, thanks. 
My my path never cross this song again.
Posted 14 years ago by reindeer    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote: She looks like an ugly man. She can sing pretty good though.
 
denmom wrote:

Makes comments like a gibbering idiot.  But spells pretty well, though.

 

Thanks, denmom. You said it way better than I could have. I mean, who cares, Alpine, what your opinion is on that score? WTF are you thinking?!
Posted 15 years ago by paulmack    [ Reply ]
 Alpine wrote:
She looks like an ugly man. She can sing pretty good though.
 
Makes comments like a gibbering idiot.  But spells pretty well, though.

Posted 15 years ago by denmom    [ Reply ]
 le_colonel wrote:
Just tuned in again and found I missed out on a pretty awesome set:

Patti Smith - Paths that cross
R.E.M. - Rockville
Doves - Compulsion
Cloud Cult - Journey of the featherless
 
I was thinking same , but i hope its coming up another good one!!

Posted 15 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Just tuned in again and found I missed out on a pretty awesome set:

Patti Smith - Paths that cross
R.E.M. - Rockville
Doves - Compulsion
Cloud Cult - Journey of the featherless
Posted 15 years ago by le_colonel    [ Reply ]


Steven Sebring at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Patti Smith "Dream of Life":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pTYrFoXp6s


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Funny thing is if Springsteen were singing this most of the complainers would be tripping over each other to give this an 8.  Hypocrites, all.
 
or neil young.


Posted 15 years ago by dunno    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Funny thing is if Springsteen were singing this most of the complainers would be tripping over each other to give this an 8.  Hypocrites, all.

Give her credit for having some range.  Not everything needs to be Horses, and considering her contribution to the art she could sit and hum for three minutes and still deserve at least a 5.

 

Okay, I'll give it a 5. But it sounds like an afternoon magazine TV show intro.
Posted 15 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]


yes, i hear the songs of  Ms. Patricia Lee Smith since 1975, album "Horses" (that i have, in vinyl-LP, conserved well), and today i can say that i am not nothing sorry, i was certain,  it has known to reward all the minutes, all the hours, that i occupied the hear her;

Tankyou.

** 8 **


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
How about something off her "Easter" album?
Posted 15 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
Funny thing is if Springsteen were singing this most of the complainers would be tripping over each other to give this an 8.  Hypocrites, all.

Give her credit for having some range.  Not everything needs to be Horses, and considering her contribution to the art she could sit and hum for three minutes and still deserve at least a 5.

Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
 faehnledj wrote:
For a moment I thought my computer had switched itself to the soft rock adult contemporary boring pop station.
 
Yeah, I'm not sure what happened to Patti on this one or why they're playing it.  She often rocks and puts on a kick-ass live show (saw her in Chicago a long time ago).

Posted 15 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
For a moment I thought my computer had switched itself to the soft rock adult contemporary boring pop station.
Posted 15 years ago by faehnledj    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:
It's comments like this that make me think that "Alpine" is a code name for backwoods redneck doofus.
 
In Texas she has what is called a classic "horse-face", long and angular.

Doesn't necessarily mean that she put the U in ugly, just that she is "handsome" and not "pretty".

Posted 15 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
 horstman wrote:


It's comments like this that make me think that "Alpine" is a code name for backwoods redneck doofus.
 

SNAP!
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
I don't think paths that cross will cross again necessarily.
Posted 16 years ago by pmnixa    [ Reply ]
slowhand wrote:
The queen of rock...The greatest female live rocker ever.



at first I read your post wrong - I thought you said "...The greatest female rock liver ever."
Hmmm...maybe that's how it should read?
:)

Posted 16 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Zep wrote:
This is not your father's Patti Smith.
Posted 16 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
This is not your father's Patti Smith.
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
She looks like an ugly man. She can sing pretty good though.
It's comments like this that make me think that "Alpine" is a code name for backwoods redneck doofus.
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
Is this the same woman rocker from the 70's? I loved Gilda Radner's imitation of her....
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
She looks like an ugly man. She can sing pretty good though.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Still 1/10.
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
davin wrote:
Yet another falls for the obvious troll.. sigh :)
Either that's a Glamour Shot for ol' Patti or some major airbrush work...
Posted 17 years ago by SomeOldGuy    [ Reply ]
25demayo wrote:
"so much more pretty"? Where did you go to school? Seeing some of the comments you have posted, maybe you didn't.
Yet another falls for the obvious troll.. sigh :)
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart!
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
A voice with soul, a voice that communicates...fantastic
Posted 17 years ago by meloman    [ Reply ]
25demayo wrote:
"so much more pretty"? Where did you go to school? Seeing some of the comments you have posted, maybe you didn't.
look at his handle; did it occur to you that it's a joke?
Posted 17 years ago by SuperWeh    [ Reply ]
Great Song, great voice, great musician, grateful for this
Posted 17 years ago by Det    [ Reply ]
Not my cup of tea
Posted 17 years ago by Ebabeleba    [ Reply ]
The queen of rock...The greatest female live rocker ever.
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
Gadzooks make it stop!
Posted 17 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
hjallekid wrote:
Great song. Great girl. Great life.
Paths That Cross
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
closemindedmoron wrote:
Agreed, I like my female singers that come from winning American Idol. They are usually so much more pretty and 10 times more musically talented.
"so much more pretty"? Where did you go to school? Seeing some of the comments you have posted, maybe you didn't.
Posted 17 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
Sings as bad as she looks..
Clearly this language is wasted on you. Somebody please upload pig latin tunes for ol' Tony.
Posted 17 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
She's an amazing singer and songwriter. I was so lucky, so fortunate to see her perform live. Highly recommended! Great energy, great spirit!
Posted 17 years ago by bev    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
Sings as bad as she looks..
She doesn't look so bad to me. "I'm not a picky man, Homer!"
Posted 17 years ago by Banaszak    [ Reply ]
shmiverson wrote:
i guess i really just dont like patti smith. this is the second song of hers I have had to rate sucko-barfo.
My feelings exactly.
Posted 17 years ago by meydele    [ Reply ]
Not the best song off that album, but it's still good.
Posted 17 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
tony620d wrote:
bill i sense your playing for a certain audience sometimes. one who's compassionate is one gives more for the cause (donations) *cough*sellout*cough*
Oi, ploafmaster, here's another one for you to champion....
Posted 18 years ago by nuggler    [ Reply ]
ahoylola wrote:
madonna by any other name. - 1e Hardly! Patti rocks! Thank you Patti!
Posted 18 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Great song. Great girl. Great life.
Posted 18 years ago by hjallekid    [ Reply ]
Sings as bad as she looks..
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
Bleh, why did I tune in just now... Not what I wanted for waking up. I guess the Guitar playing was decent, the rest was just so...dreary.
Posted 18 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
bill i sense your playing for a certain audience sometimes. one who's compassionate is one gives more for the cause (donations) *cough*sellout*cough*
Posted 18 years ago by tony620d    [ Reply ]
madonna by any other name. - 1
Posted 18 years ago by ahoylola    [ Reply ]
Absolutly Wonderful! Dream of life is another Desert Island album.
Posted 18 years ago by twcarlin    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Young Parisienne's are so French.... they love Patti Smith
Posted 18 years ago by MrMocha    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear something other than the usual Dancing Barefoot from her!
Posted 18 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I like this, Patti The Balladeer.
Posted 18 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
i guess i really just dont like patti smith. this is the second song of hers I have had to rate sucko-barfo.
Posted 18 years ago by shmiverson    [ Reply ]
...if we could just crop off the last third where she repeats everything like some kind of top 40 producer got in there and played with the length of the song. The first two thirds are inspiring, as is so much of her work. Can't explain "it".
Posted 18 years ago by jeffntracy    [ Reply ]
sconchiti wrote:
I hope this song never crosses my path again.
ditto
Posted 18 years ago by leander37    [ Reply ]
i mean "patti". was buzzed.
Posted 18 years ago by ferdy    [ Reply ]
I hope this song never crosses my path again.
Posted 18 years ago by sconchiti    [ Reply ]
i love patty
Posted 18 years ago by ferdy    [ Reply ]
Really, that song was painful
Posted 18 years ago by weevilkinevil    [ Reply ]
That's more what I expected.
Posted 18 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by weevilkinevil    [ Reply ]
interesting vote split
Posted 18 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]