IFLTS: 'Paths That Cross,' Patti Smith

'Paths That Cross,' Patti Smith
From 1988's 'Dream of Life'

Patti Smith's image as a fiery and vocal punk poet, especially onstage, has been engrained in the minds of so many people that it's sometimes easy to forget her reflective and pensive side. Proof of that comes in the form of this majestic song, 'Paths That Cross,' off of 'Dream of Life,' her only album released in the '80s.

Written by Smith and her husband, the late Fred 'Sonic' Smith of the Detroit rock band MC5, 'Paths That Cross' musically sounds more mainstream than anything that she had recorded at the time and perhaps even since. The song emits a warm feeling with Smith's mannered yet heartfelt vocals.

As I interpret it, the message of the song is as simple: that life veers into different and uncertain directions, but in the end it all goes back to where we started: "Rise up hold the reigns/We'll meet again/I don't know when"..."Paths that cross/Will cross again."

One can tell that Smith holds this song in high regard in her catalog since it's also featured on her compilation, 'Land (1975-2002).' 'Paths That Cross' really achieves something magnificent as both moving and inspiring.

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