Looking For You (I Was)

Patti Smith's 'Looking For You (I Was)' is a poetic exploration of a timeless quest for love, blending historical and literary references with deeply personal emotions. The song opens with a medieval setting, evoking a sense of timeless romance and destiny. The imagery of the sky being open 'like a Valentine' and 'lacy lights where wishes fall' creates a dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting that love is both a guiding star and an elusive wish. Smith's reference to 'Shakespeare's child' further emphasizes the timeless nature of her quest, as she aligns her search for love with the universal themes found in Shakespeare's works.

The song's chorus, 'I was looking for you, looking for you, what could I do,' captures the essence of longing and the relentless pursuit of a soulmate. Smith's lyrics convey a sense of yearning and determination, as she navigates through various landscapes and experiences, all the while searching for her destined love. The mention of 'the black river,' 'ambassador jewels,' and 'towers of gold' adds a layer of mystique and grandeur to her journey, suggesting that her search for love is both a personal and epic endeavor.

Throughout the song, Smith intertwines her personal quest with broader, almost mythical elements. The lines 'All that hearts desire was written before us in the medieval fire' and 'Guide my eyes and steps that I may find love true' suggest a belief in fate and destiny, as if her love story is part of a grand, preordained design. The song's closing lines, which mention various locations from 'Portobello Road to the Port of Marseilles,' highlight the universal and borderless nature of her search, reinforcing the idea that love is a journey that transcends time and place.