What is the best Patti Smith album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Horses" (1975). It's the most representative of what makes Patti Smith worth hearing.

What are the best Patti Smith albums?

The essential Patti Smith albums include "Horses" (1975), "Set Free" (1978), "People Have the Power" (1988), "Dream of Life" (1988) and "The Patti Smith Masters" (1996).

How many albums does Patti Smith have?

Patti Smith has 42 releases in their discography, including 26 albums and 2 EPs.

Photo: Harald Krichel · CC BY-SA 4.0

Patti Smith

Q: Who is Patti Smith for?

If you're into post-punk and art rock, Patti Smith is worth your time. With a driving urgency that melds spoken rhythms with electric intensity, Smith's music pulses like a heartbeat, forever urging the listener to confront both the beauty and chaos of existence.

With a driving urgency that melds spoken rhythms with electric intensity, Smith's music pulses like a heartbeat, forever urging the listener to confront both the beauty and chaos of existence.

art rock · post-punk · proto-punk

United States

Read about Patti Smith on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Horses (1975)

Captures Smith's signature blend of spoken word and rock, providing a cohesive introduction to her artistic vision and energy.

The song

“Because The Night”

Immediate hook with a driving rhythm that showcases her lyrical style and electric intensity, making it an engaging entry point.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Gloria" — from The Patti Smith Masters (1996)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Waiting Underground" — from Peace and Noise (1997)

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"Part One" — from The Coral Sea (2008)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"Are You Experienced?" — from Twelve (2007)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Gloria" — from Outside Society (2011)

accessible entry with immediate hook
6

"Gloria" — from Horses (1975)

accessible entry with immediate hook

About Patti Smith

Patti Smith matters not only for her pioneering voice in music but also as a cultural touchstone that intertwines the realms of poetry, activism, and punk ethos.

Her presence has shifted the landscape, encouraging generations to embrace authenticity and express raw emotion through art.

Her presence has shifted the landscape, encouraging generations to embrace authenticity and express raw emotion through art. In a male-dominated industry, she carved out space for female artists to explore themes of identity, rebellion, and vulnerability, establishing a blueprint for those who followed. Her approach is marked by an unflinching blend of spoken word and rock, where each performance becomes an act of catharsis. By merging her literary background with music, Smith creates an experience that's both visceral and cerebral, engaging audiences in a dialogue about societal issues while inviting them into her intimate reflections. This intersection of poetry and sound has redefined what it means to be a performer, emphasizing the importance of personal narrative in live settings. Smith often explores themes of love, loss, and existential questioning with a tone that oscillates between heartfelt sincerity and stark irony. Her storytelling is impressionistic, leaving space for interpretation while grounding her lyrics in poignant imagery that resonates deeply with listeners. This duality allows her work to reflect broader human experiences while remaining intensely personal.

26 studio albums· 42 total releases· 5 decades· United States