Fresh Air Patti Smith’s ‘Horses’ Turns 50
Nov 7, 2025
Patti Smith, the iconic poet and singer-songwriter, reflects on her groundbreaking debut album, 'Horses,' which turns 50 this year. She shares tales from her early days in New York City, revealing how the album diverted her path from art to music. Ken Tucker provides critical insights into the album's unique sound and its impact on rock history. They also discuss the unreleased track 'Snowball,' the profound influence of Robert Mapplethorpe, and the album's mission to connect with marginalized audiences through a blend of poetry and rock.
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Poetry Meets Rock In A Lasting Hybrid
- Patti Smith's Horses fused poetry and rock to create a singular, enduring sound that still feels immediate after 50 years.
- The album bridged lost icons like Hendrix and Morrison with a forthcoming 'new breed' of less glamorous, more connected artists.
The Reissue's Unreleased 'Snowball'
- The 50th anniversary edition adds alternate takes and one unreleased pop-leaning song, 'Snowball,' that didn't fit Horses' grand delirium.
- 'Snowball' reveals a more conventional pop side that contrasted with Smith's intended epic scope.
How The Horses Cover Photo Happened
- Robert Mapplethorpe shot the iconic Horses cover in Sam Wagstaff's white apartment, racing to catch a triangle of changing light.
- Patti modeled the pose after a Sinatra movie moment, combining her usual clothes with a 19th-century Baudelarian sensibility.
