Oscars: Patti Smith Reveals Backstory on Her Quiet Lullaby for ‘Noah’

This story first appeared in the Jan. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

Perhaps even more than the movie’s rock monsters, rock goddess Patti Smith‘s contribution to Noah is one of director Darren Aronofsky‘s braver choices: Her song “Mercy Is” sends audiences out on a surprisingly hushed, hymnal note. 

Read more Patti Smith on Her Musical Roots and First Shot at an Oscar With ‘Noah’ Song

In the film, Noah and his stepdaughter both sing it; then, for the end credits, “I thought Darren would want me to deliver it more like a heavy metal ballad,” says Smith. “But he wanted it to maintain its integrity as a lullaby. Even when I sang it with Kronos Quartet, I was still delivering it a little more aria-like, and he asked me if I could step back a bit with it.”

“Mercy Is” already has earned a Globes nom, and, says Smith, “If my humble little song can represent such a big ship as the ark, I would be very proud.”