Madonna cites punk poet as inspiration

Chart queen Madonna has revealed an unlikely musical inspiration – punk poet and singer Patti Smith.

Madonna, 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, Madonna went for Smith’s 1975 reworking of the song, 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 song after being invited to give her choice as part of HMV’s “my inspiration” campaign – the 300th artist to do so.