I don't have an image of myself, when I'm walking down the street, like I'm a rock star or something. I'm a human being, I'm a friend, I'm a mom, I'm a writer, and I'm an artist. I do play electric guitar and all of that but in the end I'm just a person. I really don't live like a rock star, economically or socially. I still live a pretty simple life beside the traveling aspect of it.
Patti SmithI wasn't attractive, I wasn't very verbal, I wasn't very smart in school. I wasn't anything that showed the world I was something special, but I had this tremendous hope all the time. I had this tremendous spirit that kept me going... I was a happy child, because I had this feeling that I was going to go beyond my body physical... I just knew it.
Patti SmithI'm very comfortable with being a female now but when I was a little kid I only wanted to be a boy. I didn't want to be a girl. I didn't feel like a man inside... being a boy was just cooler.
Patti SmithObviously, I'm not homeless. I'm not an old alcoholic. I'm not jumping trains. I just like to live in a certain way.
Patti SmithI was quite an insomniac. I rarely slept as a child. Having God to talk to at night was nice.
Patti SmithIt was like being at an Arabian hoedown with a band of psychedelic hillbillies (p. 171).
Patti SmithBuild a good name. Keep your name clean. Donโt make compromises, donโt worry about making a bunch of money or being successful. Be concerned about doing good work. Protect your work and if you build a good name, eventually that name will be its own currency. Life is like a roller coaster ride, it is never going to be perfect. It is going to have perfect moments and rough spots, but itโs all worth it.
Patti Smith