Redondo Beach

Patti Smith's "Redondo Beach" is a haunting narrative that unfolds the story of loss and grief. The song begins with the aftermath of a quarrel that leads to a separation, possibly between lovers or close friends. The narrator is in a state of distress, searching for the person who has left. The repeated line, 'are you gone, gone?' emphasizes the sense of urgency and disbelief in the narrator's voice, as they grapple with the possibility of a permanent absence.

The setting of the song, Redondo Beach, becomes a character in itself, reflecting the somber mood of the narrative. The beach is depicted as a place of sadness and shock, where a crowd of women stands in dismay. The lyrics then reveal a tragic turn of events: the person the narrator was searching for has been found dead, the victim of an apparent suicide. The description of the girl as 'an angel with apple blonde hair' adds a layer of innocence and beauty to the tragedy, intensifying the emotional impact.

The song concludes with the narrator's realization that the person they were looking for will never return. The repetition of 'gone, gone' and the finality of 'goodbye' serve to underscore the permanence of death and the deep sense of loss felt by the narrator. Patti Smith's evocative lyrics and emotive delivery transform the song into a powerful elegy, capturing the rawness of mourning and the haunting nature of sudden loss.