I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was always financial strife. Patti Smith childhoodfancifulfinancial Change image and share on social
I always wanted to be an artist, writer and poet since I was seven, and one has to live long enough to evolve as an artist and do one's finest work. Patti Smith artistevolvefine Change image and share on social
An artist may have burdens the ordinary citizen doesn't know, but the ordinary citizen has burdens that many artists never even touch. Patti Smith artistburdencitizen Change image and share on social
A lot of children don't have a developed aesthetic. I did. I made early choices in life, even about cloth; I liked flannel and not polyester. Patti Smith aestheticchildchoice Change image and share on social
Good news doesn't necessarily have to be a positive thing. Bringing good news is imparting hope to one's fellow man. Patti Smith bringfellowgood Change image and share on social
I had a penchant myself for doing several things at once. I wanted to draw, write, speak. Patti Smith drawpenchantspeak Change image and share on social
I would rather write or record something great and have it overlooked than do mediocre work and have it be popular. Patti Smith greatmediocreoverlook Change image and share on social
I'm not really a musician. I'm a performer, and I love rock n' roll. I've embraced rock n' roll because it encompasses all the things I'm interested in: poetry, revolution, sexuality, political activism - all of these things can be found in rock n' roll. Patti Smith activismembraceencompass share on social
The thing I've always liked about performing is that I decide what I want to wear, whether I want to comb my hair. Patti Smith combdecidehair Change image and share on social
In the period where I had to live the life of a citizen - a life where, like everybody else, I did tons of laundry and cleaned toilet bowls, changed hundreds of diapers and nursed children - I learned a lot. Patti Smith bowlchangechild share on social
