Taylor Swift's 'TTPD' Prompts 430% Surge In Searches For ‘Patti Smith’
Taylor Swift's new song "The Tortured Poets Department" prompted searches for "Patti Smith" online.
Worldwide Google searches for the poet and musician skyrocketed by 430% -- the search keyword's peak in the last five years -- after the 77-year-old artist was name-dropped in the titular song of Swift's newest record, according to research conducted by Nieuwe Casinos.
"It's fantastic to see a new generation discovering the work of Patti Smith potentially for the first time. Thanks to Taylor's latest album," a Nieuwe Casinos spokesperson commented on the research.
"Smith is a staple piece in the history of American art and music, which is why it's so exciting to see this incredible spike in searches. This huge search increase also serves to demonstrate Taylor Swift's staggering influence on society."
Punk Rock's poet laureate is known for fusing rock and poetry in her work. One of Smith's most popular works is "Land: Horses / Land of a Thousand Dances / La Mer(de)."
In "TTPD," which currently has 35.4 million streams on Spotify, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter references Smith as she sings, "And who's gonna hold you like me? / And who's gonna know you like me? / I laughed in your face and said / 'You're not Dylan Thomas / I'm not Patti Smith / This ain't the Chelsea Hotel / We're modern idiots.'"
Based on the lyrics, Swift seemingly tries to give the other person a reality check by stating that they are not renowned poets staying in the Chelsea Hotel, which is said to be a "sanctuary for the artists."
Meanwhile, to show her gratitude for Taylor's reference, Patti took to Instagram to share images of her reading Dylan Thomas' "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog."
In her message written poetically, the iconic singer and writer stated,
"This is
saying I was
moved to be
mentioned in
the company
of the great
Welsh poet
Dylan Thomas.
Thank you, Taylor."
