Punk star Smith 'inspired Madonna' (From Bicester Advertiser)

Punk star Smith 'inspired Madonna'

12:17am Monday 16th April 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Madonna has revealed an unlikely musical inspiration - punk poet Patti Smith.

The singer, who recently scored her 12th No 1 album with MDNA, has named Smith's recording of Gloria as one of her key influences.

Despite her background in the New York dance scene as she began her career she went for the reworking of the track written by Van Morrison and originally recorded by his band Them in 1964.

Madonna has long been known for her references to religion throughout her work and she cited the line "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine", which Smith added to the song, as her key inspiration.

She chose the lyric and song after being invited to give her choice as part of HMV's "my inspiration" campaign - the 300th artist to do so.

The campaign began in 2006 when David Bowie selected a line from Syd Barrett's song Gigolo Aunt. Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Lady Gaga are among the other names to have taken part.

The almost six-minute version of Gloria featured on Smith's 1975 debut Horses.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "We've been honoured to have some truly legendary artists take part in recent years, but we're particularly proud and thrilled that Madonna has agreed to participate to celebrate our 300th landmark.

"Naturally we were really intrigued to learn her choice, but should have guessed that, in Patti Smith, she'd go for another artist who has rewritten the rules and, in Gloria, a song that makes a powerful statement."