Privilege (Set Me Free)
Patti Smith Group
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
I see it all before me: The days of love and torment; The nights of rock-and-roll. I see it all before me. Sometimes my spirit`s empty; Don`t have the will to go on. I wish someone would send me Energy. Give me something. Give me something to give. Oh, God, give me something: A reason to live. My body is aching. Don`t want sympathy. Come on. Come and love me. Come on. Set me free. Set me free. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me through the path of righteousness for His name`s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Hey, Lord, I`m waitin` for you. Oh, God, I`m waitin` for you; Waitin` to open Your ninety-eight wounds And be Thee, be Thee. Lead me, oh, lead me. Leave me something. Leave me something to live. Oh, God, give me something: A reason to live. I don`t want no handout; No, not sympathy. Come on. Come and love me. Come on. Set me free. Set me free. Come on. Set me free Set me free . . . Oh, I`m so young, so goddamn young. Oh, I`m so young, so goddamn young. Oh, I`m so young, so goddamn. Set me free. In the presence of my enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Ah, damn, goddamn, goddamn, goddamn. Here I am.
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: MIKE LEANDER, PAUL JONES
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Song Inception"Privilege (Set Me Free)" by the Patti Smith Group was a cover of a theme song from the 1967 film titled "Privilege".
|
Album ReleaseThis song is featured in the 1978 album "Easter" showcasing the band's contribution to the punk rock genre.
|
Commercial Success"Easter" became the most commercially successful album of the Patti Smith Group, and the song "Privilege (Set Me Free) contributed to this success.
|
Song InspirationThe song was originally composed by Mike Leander and the lyrics written by Jean Ferris for the movie "Privilege". Patti Smith and her group gave it a new punk rock flavour that was characteristic of their music.
|
Track LengthUnusually for a rock song of that era, "Privilege (Set Me Free)" was five minutes and twenty-five seconds long.
|
Patti Smith’s Personal OrdealPatti Smith had suffered an accident before recording the album. Her recovery process immensely influenced the music and overall album, which inherently gave a perspective of freedom and resilience in songs like "Privilege (Set Me Free)".
|
Influential Song"Privilege (Set Me Free)" has had its influence on punk rock genre, inspiring many bands to follow the blend of high-energy music with profound lyrics.
|
Live PerformancesThe song has been performed live several times during the Patti Smith Group shows, exemplifying the band's theatrical and passionate performance style.
|
UK Chart Position"Privilege (Set Me Free)" didn't chart in the UK, despite the success of the album there—an example of how chart positions don't always reflect an album or folk song's cultural impact.
|
Immortalizing AwarenessThe song has often been noted by critics as showcasing the thematic weight of the album "Easter", encapsulating concepts of resurrection, redemption, and freedom.
|
Signature StyleThe song’s philosophical references and thought-provoking lyrics are characteristic of Patti Smith's style, highlighting her as one of the most influential figures in the mid-70s New York punk scene.
|
Song PersonnelAlong with Patti Smith on vocals, "Privilege (Set Me Free)" features Lenny Kaye on guitar, Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, Ivan Kral on bass, and Richard Sohl on keyboards, showcasing the complete musical prowess of the Patti Smith Group.
|
Song Reception & InfluenceThe song is sometimes overlooked due to the phenomenal success of "Because the Night" from the same album, yet it remains a fan favourite due to its profound lyrics and energetic composition.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Privilege (Set Me Free) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26644186/Patti+Smith+Group/Privilege+%28Set+Me+Free%29>.
Discuss the Privilege (Set Me Free) Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In