Best Opening Lyrics: No. 9
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (75)

--Patti Smith's 'Gloria'
The rock poet explained her famed line to us last year: "I didn't want anyone having to die for my sins."
Listen to the line!
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
JLat 1-30-2008
Page, Chris - catch-up young, angry ones! Christians are not perfect, we're just forgiven.
And, WE ROCK!
Jenyat 4-14-2008
I think personally that everyone has their opinions..anti-christ or not..i believe in Jesus but im not going to judge someone else cause of their beliefs...its their life people..learn to except it..you will meet people that won't share your same thoughts..that is whats great about diversity..but anyways its still a great song =]
jbabyat 6-17-2008
I'd just like to clear some things up. I am Christian. However, im not a "bible beating" freak who shoves religion down your throat. In fact, I like this song, a lot. And its her song, so she can really say whatever the hell she feels like saying. But no need to go hating on the Christians just because one Christian doesn't agree with the lyrics. Some Christians can be very open minded, thank you very much.
connorat 6-29-2008
alright pretty good list just missing some Journey-"dont stop believing"
tplucas523at 8-22-2008
OMGOSH!!! HE DIED FOR EVERYONES SINS!!!!
GreenEyesOf2at 12-26-2008
Hey Stupid, Jesus died for All - maybe you people should read the Bible, even Judas (who was one of the 12 disciplices betrayed him. Jesus died for him too! Peter denied him 3 times. Don't talked to me about this - I'm pretty well versed about the Bible and I could go on and on about WHO exactly Jesus died for - THE SAVED AND UNSAVED - includin the IDIOT that wrote the song.
Gets_itat 1-15-2010
And Jesus never called anyone an idiot, either. Another CLASSIC expression of self-righteousness couched in comfortable, knowing superiority that can only come from using religion as some kind of badge. If one doesn't understand art, expression, literature, poetry, the easiest form of criticism is to say that it's ungodly. You don't know Patti Smith's heart, you don't know her sacrifice, you don't know her commitment, and yet you spout your venom and your ignorance with such supreme elegance. Proof, once again, that an arrogant jerk with a loud mouth and a small brain who calls himself a Christian is still really just an arrogant jerk with a loud mouth and a small brain. I quit the religion of Christianity because it finally dawned on me that the force that created this universe is so much bigger than any one religion. And, I got tired of being around people who claimed to know the very heart of God, and yet acted out like angry monkeys. Believe in Jesus? Fine, I say, now try practicing some self-examination, which is what he told you to do. Your comment was a disgrace and I urge you to retract it.
redliontatat 1-30-2009
This is a lyric, not a theological statement. I am a Christian but even Catholics and Protestants cannot agree about Salvation with that Faith alone bullpucky or Faith and Goodworks. It is a great opening line. Art is meant to provoke discussion sometimes and this song promotes dancing your ass off. I think Jesus would love to throw down this song at the wedding at Canaan. Horses Horses wild wild Horses Heee Hawwww
Dawgat 12-06-2009
Crass said this before Patti Smith
Sidat 8-06-2007
Untrue statement whether intended for a work of art or not. Jesus did die for her sins and all of mankind. But another reason the line doesnt deserve to be here (like several I've already seen on this so called "best list" is the fact that there are plenty of songs which sold millions which have keen opening lines we all remember which also sold millions, and they sold millions BECAUSE of the writing.
Alexandraat 6-22-2009
Sid;
You said and I quote:
"Untrue statement whether intended for a work of art or not. Jesus did die for her sins and all of mankind."
Which I think is an untrue statement.
It's all a matter of opinion..but use "I" statements..don't speack for anybody but yourself.
Chrisat 8-06-2007
Not an untrue statement what-so-ever. Untrue to you perhaps because of your beliefs.....not untrue to others.
Pageat 8-06-2007
Just another reason why bible beating, jesus freaks should stick to what they know; and music doesn't fall in what they know. Leave the works of art and music to us non believers; we tend to be less judgemental. Just go about the rest of your days judging others and condeming all who don't follow you like sheep to your so called hell.
Gets_itat 1-15-2010
Well-stated. The loudest mouth always leads the way when the claimed standard is "Godliness." How ironic, and yet, how typical. Jesus never told anyone to get on message boards and call anyone else nasty names. Actions really do speak louder than words. Now isn't there a witch hunt or book burning you religious phonies are late for?
Srhmat 8-06-2007
Children: READ the interview (link "explained")
When I wrote the peom "Gloria" (in 1970) it was not really anti Christ -who I really admire.
She's older, smarter and has been around the blocks a few more times now. (maybe back-tracking a little too)
Jasonat 8-06-2007
"Untrue statement whether intended for a work of art or not. Jesus did die for her sins and all of mankind."
While I agree the song doesn't belong on the list, that is an incredibly stupid and immature thing to say. You need to grow up and educate yourself.
gn8713at 8-06-2007
shes jewish right
Gets_itat 1-15-2010
And what, exactly, does your comment mean? You don't understand what a poet says, so now it's because she's Jewish that you can't understand her art?
Gets_itat 1-16-2010
I was being facetious, of course. Patti's not Jewish. But my point is that as soon as someone performs a work of art that narrow-minded people choose not to investigate or understand, that artist becomes a target. I for one will never subordinate my freedom to a mob of credulous dimwits who have the temerity to claim to represent "God." No rules, no logic, no sense, no point...just say you're doin' it all to serve the Lawd and everyone's supposed to shut down and follow you spirit-filed nincompoops into some crazed global camp revival meeting full of nonsensical gibberish and grinning political organizers.
sammyat 8-06-2007
Well, I guess they asked for it..... becasue it would of more christianlike to embrace the lost ones with lovve and comprehension rather than ridicule...but not all those who CLAIM to be Christioans are really devout..... as an atheist myself, I know that I would enter heaven way befroe many so called christiasn......
on another note, did anyone see the comment from another stray one, calling Sinead O Connor america hater??? Can anyone explain that to me? why is she an american hater? Was teh pope american?