I believe that if you read Patti Smith's book "Just Kids" you will come to realize that this song is all about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. The gay hustler rape by a gang of men were themes of his obsessions and his photography. When Patti & Robert were lovers they used to dance to a greatest Hits Motown album, which I would guess would have contained Wilson Pickets "Land of 1,000 Dances". Robert was a gay hustler then and they were both obsessed with Rimbaud. Go Rimabaud, Go Johnny Go. Johnny is Robert. Read the book....it is a magical journey and by far the best book I ever read.
I believe that if you read Patti Smith's book "Just Kids" you will come to realize that this song is all about her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. The gay hustler rape by a gang of men were themes of his obsessions and his photography. When Patti & Robert were lovers they used to dance to a greatest Hits Motown album, which I would guess would have contained Wilson Pickets "Land of 1,000 Dances". Robert was a gay hustler then and they were both obsessed with Rimbaud. Go Rimabaud, Go Johnny Go. Johnny is Robert. Read the book....it is a magical journey and by far the best book I ever read.