Patti Smith Does Debby Boone

Can you believe that Patti Smith is 62 years old? I can’t. Especially since she still looks like the androgynous punk waif she was when her first album came out in 1975. My brother-in-law played on a bill with her a few years ago and my then very young nephew Spencer, being the true hipster that he already was, knew her music and was thrilled to meet her. There was a great photo taken of Spencer with Patti Smith which unfortunately got lost in a computer crash.

There are few artists I respect more than Patti Smith. I’m no fanatic who follows her every move, knows all her lyrics, or agrees with everything she says (some of her politics make me squirm), but this woman once dubbed the “female Mick Jagger” is definitely the real deal. In my opinion there’s not an inauthentic bone in her body, she is what I’d call a true artist who could have sold her soul to the devil a million times over for endless riches but never did.

Which is why the video clip I want to share with you that I just saw on a friend’s Facebook page made my eyes bug out of my head. It’s from the 1979 network TV show “Kids Are People, Too!” which featured guests such as Brooke Shields, Scott Baio, and the cast of “Eight Is Enough.” Somehow the producers got Patti Smith to appear on the show and take questions from the all-kid audience. Then, inexplicably, instead of singing one of her own tunes or performing one of the covers she frequently did of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, or Neil Young songs, Patti chose to sing a completely straight version of Debby Boone’s treacly hit, “You Light Up My Life.” Huh?! Take a look at this bizarre but wonderful clip:

As you can see, there’s not a trace of condescension in the way Patti Smith talks to children. In that respect, “Kids Are People, Too!” was the perfect show for her to appear on, despite the inanity of the series. I’m sure that respect for children is what Spencer picked up during his encounter with Smith. I’m sure it also made her a great mother to her now grown children she had with her husband, the late Fred “Sonic” Smith from MC5. The couple lived quietly in Detroit when their children were young. “Our kids had no idea that we did anything, except be mom and dad and read a lot. I was always reading, studying and writing. So my children had an image of me always with my nose in a book. They had no sense that I did this. I had to talk to them about it when I went back. Still, they don’t identify with me as a rock'n'roll star. I’m their mom.”

And because I just can’t leave it at Debby Boone, here’s a recent video of the much older Patti Smith singing “Because the Night.” She hasn’t lost a thing. In my book, that’s what comes from leading such an honest life.

Comments

[Pam Postrel]

The first time I ever heard of Patti Smith was when I was in 10th or 11th grade and she appeared on the Tomorrow show with Tom Snyder. I could not tear my eyes away from her absolutely unique look nor my ears from her thick South Jersey accent. She thrilled me and scared me all at the same time. About five or six years later, my girlfriend at the time, who wrote songs and fronted a band, did a spot-on version of Free Money and properly introduced me to Patti's oeuvre. "Because the Night" is my favorite song in the world.

[margalit]

Huge Patti Smith fan forever. When she first came out with "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine" I knew we were kindred spirits for life. But I have to say... Patti does Debbie Boone kinda threw me for a second.

She's my sister's age, and every time I think I've got a sister who is almost 63, I cackle. Um, maybe I should shut up now!

Now, can you find Lou Reed singing Pat Boone?

[Lisa]

Thanks for these.

[churlita]

I'll have to wait and check it out at home. I've always loved Patti Smith's music.

And I definitely remember Kids are People Too. Even the theme song: "They may be young and not full grown, but they have problems of their own. kids are people too..." At least it was something like that.

[Matt Newman]

Danny, I agree with everything you said. Patti Smith is innocence and sprituality and heart -- someone who has that undefinable quality that defines art/a unique voice. Kids get her. And, when she sings something like "You Light Up My Life," straight as an arrow, it works. Thanks, Danny, for posting this -- really cool!!!

[Merris]

I much prefer her covering Springsteen than Debbie Boone. Notice how she is wearing the same blazer in both clips!!! it's classic.

[Elisabeth]

Big Patti Smith fan here. She is probably the most earnest performer I have ever seen (Springsteen may be there too, but I've found him a bit too manipulative of his audience - which Patti Smith is not.) And she is one hell of a funny lady as well. I realized one of my life-long dreams when I got to see her in concert a couple of years ago (with my daughter, which was an added bonus.)

Thanks for having shared this clip with us!

[Sheila]

Danny, I stumbled onto your blog after googling your sister, who I knew many many years ago. I'm enjoying poking around, and can't resist commenting on this post. I have adored Patti since discovering her in the late 70s, but have no memory of her appearing on this show.

There was such a divide back then between what was considered 'straight' and what was considered 'cool' - which almost seems quaint today. Few would have risked their reps to perform a Debby Boone song on a corny show. I would LOVE to know the backstory on Patti's appearance! Her authenticity has always been as big an inspiration to me as her art. Watching this clip has deepened my adoration for her.

I'm sure you remember as well as I do how frequently 'You Light Up My Life' was played on the radio back then. I could barely stomach it. It's a relief to hear Patti singing it with just a piano accompanying her. But I enjoyed the Because the Night clip a lot more! Thanks :)