The 5 Greatest Songs by Blondie

Blondie, featuring the iconic Debbie Harry, guitarist Chris Stein, drummer Clem Burke, keyboardist Jimmy Destri, bassists Gary Valentine and Nigel Harrison, and guitarist Frank Infante, were pioneers of new wave. Their music also embraced disco and early rap, crafting pop hits while maintaining their garage rock roots, all while looking fabulous. Harry’s two-tone hair, an accidental result of dyeing her hair herself, became an iconic symbol of punk chic.

Debbie Harry’s Early Journey: Debbie Harry grew up in New Jersey and moved to New York after college, taking on various jobs including waitress at Max’s Kansas City, a Playboy Bunny, and singing background vocals in a folk group. Her music career took off when she joined The Stilettos, where she met Chris Stein. Together, they formed Blondie in 1974, naming the band after the catcalls Harry received after bleaching her hair.

Choosing only five Blondie songs is no easy task. While their covers of “The Tide Is High” and “Denis” are noteworthy, this list focuses on their original songs, even though it’s tough to leave out hits like “Rapture” and “One Way or Another.” Some might argue against including “Call Me,” but the reasons for its inclusion are compelling.

Blondie’s Five Greatest Songs:

1. “X Offender” from Blondie (1976)

Blondie’s debut album opens with “X Offender,” a song that begins with spoken word from Harry. This track blends Patti Smith’s spoken-word poetry with the talk-singing style of The Shangri-Las, a style later explored by Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. Written by bassist Gary Valentine and Harry, the song was originally titled “Sex Offender” but was renamed due to the record label’s insistence. On the recording, Valentine and Stein swapped instruments, while Destri’s pulsing Farfisa organ combined ’60s pop with Blondie’s new wave swagger.

Lyrics Highlight: Walking the line, you were a marksman
Told me that law, like wine, is ageless
Public defender
You had to admit
You wanted the love of a sex offender

2. “Call Me” from the American Gigolo Soundtrack (1980)

Blondie’s most famous song, “Call Me,” isn’t truly a Blondie song. Harry wrote the lyrics to an instrumental composed by Giorgio Moroder for the 1980 film American Gigolo. While the music was recorded by Moroder and session musicians, the song’s spirit is quintessential Blondie. Despite the absence of the rest of the band, “Call Me” is a masterpiece, with Harry’s bridge being particularly notable.

Lyrics Highlight: Cover me with kisses, baby
Cover me with love
Roll me in designer sheets
I’ll never get enough
Emotions come, I don’t know why
Cover up love’s alibi

3. “Dreaming” from Eat to the Beat (1979)

“Dreaming” is a standout track from Blondie’s Eat to the Beat album, showcasing Clem Burke’s relentless drumming. The song, influenced by ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” is a three-minute power-pop gem. Recorded live in the studio, Burke’s performance was a spontaneous burst of energy, making “Dreaming” a vivid highlight.

Lyrics Highlight: When I met you in the restaurant
You could tell I was no debutante
You asked me what’s my pleasure
A movie or a measure?
I’ll have a cup of tea
And tell you of my dreaming

4. “Atomic” from Eat to the Beat (1979)

“Atomic” merges ABBA-like melodies with surf rock, creating an epic track with abrupt scene changes. The key changes throughout the song mimic the highs and lows of a marathon night under strobe lights. With a bass solo adding to its unique charm, “Atomic” is a futurist dance-pop masterpiece, with a music video that evokes a post-apocalyptic sense of hope.

Lyrics Highlight: Tonight, make it magnificent
Tonight, make me tonight

5. “Heart of Glass” from Parallel Lines (1978)

“Heart of Glass” began as “Once I Had a Love” in 1975. Written by Harry and Stein, the song was nicknamed “The Disco Song” but was shelved due to punk rock’s disdain for disco. However, Blondie fused their garage rock roots with new wave synth-pop, releasing “Heart of Glass” in early 1979. Despite its disco influence, Harry’s punk rock dispassion and humor shine through, making it a timeless hit.

Lyrics Highlight: Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out had a heart of glass
Seemed like the real thing, only to find
Mucho mistrust, love’s gone behind

Blondie’s ability to blend genres and their unwavering punk rock spirit have cemented their legacy in music history. These five songs showcase the band’s versatility and enduring appeal, making them timeless classics in the new wave and punk rock genres.