Privilege (Set Me Free)

Patti Smith

About Privilege (Set Me Free)

"Privilege (Set Me Free)" is song by the Patti Smith Group and released as the second single from their 1978 album Easter. The original version of the song was titled "Free Me" and was written by Mel London and Mike Leander for the 1967 film Privilege. Patti spoke sections of Psalm 23 over the instrumental bridge among other lyrical additions.


Year:
1996
3:29
163 
#7

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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.

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Patti Smith

Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith (born December 30, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. more »

6 fans

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 Release
This 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 Inspiration
The 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 Length
Unusually for a rock song of that era, "Privilege (Set Me Free)" was five minutes and twenty-five seconds long.
Patti Smith’s Personal Ordeal
Patti 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 Performances
The 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 Awareness
The song has often been noted by critics as showcasing the thematic weight of the album "Easter", encapsulating concepts of resurrection, redemption, and freedom.
Signature Style
The 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 Personnel
Along 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 & Influence
The 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.

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