Patti … Read Full Bio ↴"Dancing Barefoot" by Patti Smith: A Poetic Ode to Liberation
Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot" is a poetic masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of the 1970s New York City punk rock scene while transcending the confines of any single genre. Released in 1979 as part of her album "Wave," this song is a testament to Smith's unique ability to blend rock, poetry, and artistic authenticity.
**Patti Smith:**
Patti Smith is a groundbreaking American artist known for her contributions to punk rock music, poetry, and visual arts. Her work has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape and has inspired countless artists across generations.
**Background:**
"Dancing Barefoot" is one of Patti Smith's signature songs, embodying the spirit of artistic rebellion and liberation that characterized the New York City punk scene of the 1970s. The track was part of her third studio album, "Wave," which marked a shift towards a more melodic and rock-oriented sound compared to her earlier work.
**Lyrics and Themes:**
The lyrics of "Dancing Barefoot" are imbued with vivid imagery and lyrical intensity. The song is often interpreted as a celebration of freedom, artistic expression, and the transformative power of love. Smith's poetic verses evoke a sense of transcendent joy and spiritual connection, making the song a timeless ode to liberation.
**Musical Style:**
The track features a melodic and hypnotic guitar riff, courtesy of Lenny Kaye, Smith's long-time collaborator. This riff, combined with Smith's passionate and emotive vocals, creates a hypnotic atmosphere that draws the listener into the song's sonic world. The steady rhythm and ethereal quality of the music make it feel like a musical incantation.
**Cultural Impact:**
"Dancing Barefoot" has had a significant cultural impact, not only within the punk rock and alternative music scenes but also in literature and the arts. Patti Smith's fearless approach to blending poetry with rock music opened doors for other artists to explore the boundaries of their respective mediums.
**Timeless Relevance:**
Decades after its release, "Dancing Barefoot" remains as relevant and powerful as ever. Its themes of artistic freedom, love, and transcendence continue to resonate with audiences, making it a song that defies the constraints of time and place.
In conclusion, "Dancing Barefoot" by Patti Smith is a poetic and musical masterpiece that captures the spirit of artistic liberation and creative expression. It stands as a testament to Smith's artistic vision and her ability to create music that transcends genres and generations. Whether you're a fan of punk rock, poetry, or simply appreciate the fusion of words and music, this song remains a timeless and inspiring piece of art that invites listeners to dance barefoot through the landscape of their own imagination.
Dancing Barefoot
Patti Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 flow so ceaselessly
Could it be he's taking over me
I'm dancing barefoot
Headin' for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
It makes me come on like some heroine
She is sublimation
She is the essence of thee
She is concentrating on
He, the chosen of 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
Headin' for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is recreation
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
In mid-air I spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
Oh, God, I fell for you
Oh, God, I fell for you
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
Oh, God, I fell for you
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
Grave visitations
Oh, God, I fell for you
What is it that calls to us?
Why must we pray screaming?
Why must not death be redefined?
Oh, God, I fell for you
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms
Oh, God, I fell for you
And whirl on a pane of glass
Oh, God, I fell for you
An affixation, a fix on anything, the line of life, the limb of a tree
Oh, God, I fell for you
The hands of he and the promise
That she is blessed among women
Oh, God, I fell for you
Oh, God, I fell for you
The opening lines of "Dancing Barefoot" by Patti Smith emphasize the female deity, praising her for her significance and addiction. The lines “She is benediction / She is addicted to thee” establish an almost spiritual connection that the female subject has with the male. The next two lines, “She is the root connection / She is connecting with he,” continue to deepen the image of the female as some kind of divine figure, rooted in the earth and reaching up to the heavens.
As the verses continue, Smith repeats the phrase “Here I go, and I don't know why / I spin so ceaselessly / Could it be he's taking over me?” This repetition suggests the singer's loss of control and the power that the male subject holds over her. The chorus of the song “I’m dancing barefoot / Heading for a spin / Some strange music draws me in / Makes me come on like some heroine” reveals the euphoric state of the singer and the way in which the male subject has taken over her, like a drug.
The final lines bring together several themes from the song, including the divine nature of love, the inexplicable draw of music, and the mystery of childbirth. The singer repeats the phrase “Oh God, I fell for you,” as if the male subject is a higher power that has taken control of her. The idea of dancing barefoot, spinning uncontrollably, and falling for someone captures the idea of losing oneself in the moment and being drawn in by another person. In essence, the song is a tribute to the euphoria of surrendering oneself to love.
Line by Line Meaning
She is benediction
She brings blessings to those around her
She is addicted to thee
She is completely devoted to and obsessed with him
She is the root connection
She is the foundation of their relationship
She is connecting with he
She is forming a deep and meaningful connection with him
Here I go and I don't know why
She is feeling a strong urge to act despite not knowing the reason behind it
I flow so ceaselessly
She moves smoothly and effortlessly
Could it be he's taking over me
She feels as though he is influencing her actions and thoughts
I'm dancing barefoot
She is embracing freedom and spontaneity
Headin' for a spin
She is caught up in the moment and losing control
Some strange music draws me in
She is being pulled by mysterious and irresistible forces
It makes me come on like some heroine
She is experiencing a rush of energy and adrenaline, comparable to the feeling of being a hero
She is sublimation
She channels her emotions and passions into creative expression
She is the essence of thee
She embodies his fundamental qualities and values
She is concentrating on
She is intently focused on
He, the chosen of she
He is the one she has chosen to love
She intoxicated by thee
She is deeply and irreversibly influenced by him
She has the slow sensation that
She feels a gradual and all-encompassing change within herself
He is levitating with she
They are both lifted up and elevated by their love
I spin so ceaselessly
She is twirling and turning with abandon
Til I lose my sense of gravity
She is so caught up in the moment that she forgets about the laws of physics
Oh, God, I fell for you
She is overwhelmed by the intensity of her love for him
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
The trajectory of their lives is uncertain and intimidating
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
The complexities and uncertainties of life are as profound as the creation of new life
Grave visitations
The inevitability of death looms over them
What is it that calls to us?
What is the fundamental force that drives us towards love and connection?
Why must we pray screaming?
Why do we feel the need to express our deepest longings and desires so passionately?
Why must not death be redefined?
Why can't we find new ways of understanding and coming to terms with death?
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms
We surrender ourselves to the uncertainty and terror of life
And whirl on a pane of glass
We dance on the surface of an unstable and fragile reality
An affixation, a fix on anything, the line of life, the limb of a tree
We cling to whatever we can find in order to give our lives a sense of meaning and stability
The hands of he and the promise
He is the one who will guide her through the turbulence of life and give her hope for the future
That she is blessed among women
Her love is a rare and precious gift, and she is grateful for it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ivan Kral, Patti Lee Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind