Patti Smith Talks "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" Finale Song: "A Dream Come True"

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Last night, the Adult Swim show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” came to an end. To mark its passing, Patti Smith collaborated with her son Jackson and daughter Jesse on “Aqua Teen Dream”, an elegiac ballad that appeared during the series finale. Because we’re very happy to live in a world where we get to hear Patti Smith sing the word “Meatwad,” we asked her a few questions over e-mail about the collaboration. 

Pitchfork: What do you remember about the first time you watched “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”? What drew you to it?

Patti Smith: My son Jackson and I have watched cartoons together since he was born. We still discuss and reminisce about various shows we’ve loved. Several years ago he called me from Detroit and said there was a new cartoon show I had to watch. I wasted no time and was instantly swept into the world of ATHF (“Aqua Teen Hunger Force”). First of all, I was raised in South Jersey not far where they live. I was excited about that. But within minutes I knew I was facing creations of true warped genius. I think what struck me most is that it’s completely unpredictable, you can’t break down the logic. Even Wittgenstein couldn’t break it down.

Pitchfork: Why did you decide to write the song?

PS: Adult Swim sent me a message, asking if I would like to write the goodbye song, while I was on tour. I was already mourning that it was coming to an end, so writing a little song would provide some sense of closure. I wasn’t sure how it could be accomplished in a hotel room in Italy, but went about it in the Aqua Teen spirit. That is to say that nothing is too absurd in the world of ATHF.

Pitchfork: We know you worked on the song with your children. What did they bring to the process? 

PS: I called Jackson in Detroit. My daughter, Jesse, was visiting him. They went into a studio and recorded a track with Jesse on piano and Jackson on guitar. They sent it to my bass player Tony Shanahan and we recorded my vocal on Pro Tools in room 412 in the Grand Hotel Portovenere, situated on the Bay of Poets. So it’s a true international track. Jackson, Jesse and I all love Aqua Teen, so it was moving to perform this small but precious task with them from afar.

Pitchfork: Are you a Meatwad, Master Shake, or Frylock?

PS: I guess I’m more like Frylock. Head in the clouds with a touch of the designated driver.

Pitchfork: Have you ever had a dream where you’re one of the Aqua Teens? 

PS: I am an Aqua Teen! Writing the song was a dream come true.

Listen to “Aqua Teen Dream”:

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