Music Videos

Patti Smith on "People Have the Power"

Patti Smith discusses the origin and purpose of "People Have the Power," a song co‑written with Fred originally intended as a rallying cry for Jesse Jackson’s anticipated presidential bid, which never materialized. Fred’s ambition was to create a song that could serve as a global voice for protest, a tool for people needing empowerment. Though Jackson didn’t run, the track found life on streets and squares worldwide, from European marches in Spain and France to demonstrations in Korea and Japan. Smith recounts hearing crowds spontaneously join the chorus, noting, “If they need it and use it, it makes me happy for him,” and describing a palpable sense of Fred’s presence whenever the anthem is sung. The enduring popularity underscores music’s capacity to transcend borders and galvanize social movements, illustrating how a single composition can become a transnational rallying point for activists and reinforce the cultural relevance of protest songs in contemporary politics.