10 Albums That Changed The Face Of Rock Music

Although her music might have sounded a world apart from groups like the Ramones, Patti Smith was the embodiment of punk. Her ethos was one that questioned authority, attempting to shift the status quo through a revolution of the mind. Whereas groups like the Stooges or the Ramones battered down your inhibition with high octane sound, Smith did it with her lyrics. This was spoken word poetry set to gritty rock guitar.

The opening track strangely enough was a cover, originally written by Van Morrison. But Smith put her own spin on things, including a number of her own verses. With the lines "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" and "My sins are my own" she stated her distain of the establishment. The notion of original sin and religious doctrine was rejected in favour of a form of self-determinism. This track, alone, tells you all you need to know about Smith, she was her own master of her mind.

This album is filled with moments of sombre reflection, joyous rebellion and impassioned ferocity. It combined the wordplay of Bob Dylan, the attitude of proto-punk and an empowered femininity. In a genre dominated by men, Smith proved women had both the intelligence and ferocity to rival any man in the game.