Band lore states that their name came from both a flippant reference to Adolf Hitler's dog Blondie as well as vocalist Harry's bright blond hair. Previously having been a Playboy Bunny, Harry fronted the early version of the band. initially known as "Angel and the Snakes". They built up underground fame in NYC. Blondie released their first album, 'Blondie', in 1976. The album was mildly successful and spawned the Australian hit single "In The Flesh". Gary Valentine left the band later that year, and they continued briefly as a foursome, recording 'Plastic Letters' and gaining more airplay with their track "Denis". Still in touch with their punk roots, having played in clubs such as CBGBs and hung out with rock artists such as the Ramones, the band broke out into other, more diverse influences such as older dance and pop music, particularly interested in Phil Spector's 'wall of sound' technique.
Valentine was replaced by Los Angeles-based musician Frank Infante (guitar, bass guitar) in 1977. Infante had already played guitar on one track on 'Plastic Letters'. The band went out playing live with Infante and Stein swopping between playing guitar and bass guitar throughout each concert. The band also added British born but LA-based Nigel Harrison (bass guitar), making Blondie a six piece group for the first time. Harrison was a former member of the glam rock band Silverhead.
In 1978, they released the album that would make them international stars, titled 'Parallel Lines'. The album spawned several hit singles, including the number one hit "Heart Of Glass", "Sunday Girl", "Hanging On The Telephone" (a cover of the famous power pop track by The Nerves), and "One Way Or Another". The success of the heavily disco influenced "Heart of Glass", a song sometimes censored for its use of strong language for the time and considered by the band as tongue-in-cheek, proved controversial among many fans of the band's punk background, but it managed to break them through at a massive level.
They released three more albums (1979's Eat To The Beat, 1980's Autoamerican (containing the number one singles "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture") and 1982's The Hunter) as well as a number one single "Call Me", from the score of the 1980 film "American Gigolo".
In 1980, Harrison contributed several unused Blondie songs to ex-Silverhead singer Michael Des Barres solo album I'm Only Human. In 1981, Harry released a solo album Koo Koo, Destri released a solo album Heart On A Wall. Burke recorded and played live with the Eurythmics, and Stein started a record label named Animal Records.
In 1982, health problems for Stein, declining sales and inter-band tension caused the band to split. Harry kept a low profile for a few years while she nursed (now former) boyfriend Stein through a serious illness, but then continued a solo career as an actress/singer.
Reformation plans begun in 1997 with a line-up that included Harry, Stein, Destri, Burke, Valentine, and Harrison. Infante was not invited to the reunion. Valentine and Harrison were eventually (and unceremoniously, they claim) replaced by Paul Carbonara (guitar) and Leigh Foxx (bass).
The band released No Exit in 1998, which did quite well in both US and UK charts and contained the number one hit single "Maria".
The album did not include any song contributions from Valentine or Harrison, despite them recording early sessions for the album and Valentine being assured by Stein that they would use his already recorded song "Amor Fati". Harrison and Infante later filed an unsuccessful lawsuit claiming breach of contract for not including them in the reunion.
The Curse Of Blondie was released in 2003 and, while not matching its predecessor in sales, was critically acclaimed and spawned the global dance hit "Good Boys".
Destri retired from touring in 2004. Kevin Patrick (keyboards), Destri's former keyboard tech and assistant, replaced him soon followed by Matt Katz-Bohen in 2008.
The band's 2006 induction ceremony into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was the scene of an awkward moment between Infante and Harry, during which he asked that the former members be allowed to play along with fellow inductees Harry, Stein and Burke during the band's set, since it was the original band that was being inducted. Harry replied "Can't you see my band is up there?" prompting Infante to counter "I thought it was Blondie that was being inducted."
In 2006, the band toured as the opening act for The New Cars on the "Road Rage Tour." Although Harry was more than 60 years old, the band still managed incendiary versions of their old hits, while playing with enough fire to remind the audience of their punk roots.
In 2007, the band embarked on a tour of Europe, to coincide with the DVD release of the first ever music video album "Eat To The Beat".
Harry has since resumed her solo career, releasing 2007's Necessary Evil.
On June 5, 2008, Blondie commenced a world tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Parallel Lines with a concert at Ram's Head Live in Baltimore, Maryland. The tour covered some Eastern and Midwestern US cities throughout the month of June. In July, the tour took the band overseas to Israel, the UK, Russia, Europe and Scandinavia, wrapping up on August 2, 2008 at Rockefeller in Oslo, Norway.
Clem Burke and Paul Carbonara both recently told interviewers that the band is working on another record, which would be their first new album since the release of The Curse of Blondie in 2003. Carbonara described it as "a real Blondie record.
Blondie undertook a North American tour of mid-sized venues with Pat Benatar and The Donnas in the summer of 2009. Following the tour, in October, the band began recording sessions for their ninth studio album with producer Jeff Saltzman in Woodstock, New York. In December 2009, the band released the song "We Three Kings" to coincide with the Christmas holiday.
The new album, to be titled Panic of Girls, which was being mixed at the time, was said to follow in 2010. Chris Stein stated that Dutch artist Chris Berens will provide the cover art. In April 2010, it was announced that guitarist Paul Carbonara had amicably left Blondie to pursue other projects and was replaced by Tommy Kessler. Panic of Girls is tentatively set to be released in 2010/2011.
In June 2010, Blondie began the first leg of a world tour named "Endangered Species Tour", which covered the United Kingdom and Ireland, supported by UK band Little Fish. The set lists featured both classics and new material from the forthcoming Panic of Girls. After a break in July the tour will resume in August and cover the United States and Canada over a course of six weeks. Blondie is then set to take the "Endangered Species Tour" to Australia and New Zealand in November and December. It was revealed that the bands album will be released on the Australian Sony label in November 2010, and elsewhere in January 2011.
Songfacts reports that Mother, the first single from Panic of Girls received its global premiere on BBC Radio on March 17th, 2011 and was made available for purchase on May 23, 2011.
In May 2017 a new album was released named Pollinator with the single "Long Time" which saw the daylight in March.
In 2021, the band released a short film along with a soundtrack EP titled Vivir en la Habana. They also released an alternate version of their song Rapture titled “Yuletide Throwdown” which featured Fab 5 Freddy.
In 2022, Blondie released a Sunday Girl EP consisting of an unreleased demo and live version
of the song as well as the previously released french version of the track in honor of Record Store Day. The band went on a UK tour with support from Johnny Marr followed by a US tour with support from The Damned titled “Against The Odds Tour”, which Chris Stein did not attend due to health problems. They also announced the release of their first archival project and box set, titled Against The Odds: 1974 - 1982, which took six years to compile, began recording their twelfth studio album and remastered their music videos in HD.
11:59
Blondie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sidewalk social scientist don't get no satisfaction from your cigarette
It's ten to ten and time is running out
Lock up all your memories, get outa here, you know that we can run
Today can last another million years
Today could be the end of me
It's 11:59, and I want to stay alive
Take it down the freeway like a bullet to the ocean
Wait until the morning, take tomorrow by the hand
Take it down the highway like a rocket to the ocean, we can run
Today can last another million years
Today could be the end of me
It's 11:59, and I want to stay alive
Hanging on a frequency and burning like a fire
Boy you've got the motion down, it's getting late, I'm tired and I've lost control
Don't leave me here, time is running out
Take me down the highway like a rocket to the ocean, we can run
Today can last another million years
Today could be the end of me
It's 11:59, and I want to stay alive
Blondie's "11:59" is a high-energy anthem about living in the moment and embracing life's fleeting nature. In the first verse, lead singer Debbie Harry sings about a sidewalk social scientist who is unsatisfied with their routine and wants to break free. The chorus repeats the urgency of staying alive at 11:59, as time is running out. The second verse describes the rush of driving down the freeway towards the unknown, and the chorus repeats again. The third verse continues the theme of living in the moment, likening it to a burning fire that needs to be embraced before it's too late. The song ends with a plea to be taken down the highway like a rocket to the ocean, running away from the confines of time.
Interpreting the lyrics, "11:59" can be seen as a celebration of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the present. It's a reminder that we shouldn't wait for the perfect time to pursue our dreams and desires, but rather embrace the present moment and take risks. The idea of running away and exploring the unknown can also be seen as a metaphor for self-discovery and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Leaning in your corner like a candidate for wax
I see you lingering aimlessly, like a lifeless figure awaiting transformation.
Sidewalk social scientist don't get no satisfaction from your cigarette
You seem like a curious soul, but you find no fulfillment in temporary pleasures.
It's ten to ten and time is running out
The clock is ticking, and our allotted time is fast approaching its limit.
Lock up all your memories, get outa here, you know that we can run
Time to shed the past, and make a break for it. We have the power to leave everything behind.
Today can last another million years
Moments can seem eternal when we savor them wholly.
Today could be the end of me
The future is uncertain, and the present is all I have. I must make the most of every passing second.
It's 11:59, and I want to stay alive
It's almost midnight, and I'm fighting to cling onto the life I know and love.
Pumping like a fugitive in cover from the night
My heart is racing, like a shadow trying to elude detection in the fading light.
Take it down the freeway like a bullet to the ocean
We'll race down the open road, like a projectile hurtling towards the vast sea.
Wait until the morning, take tomorrow by the hand
Let's delay no longer, let the dawn break on us, and greet the future head-on.
Take it down the highway like a rocket to the ocean, we can run
We'll speed down the road, like a rocket launching into the endless expanse of the sea.
Hanging on a frequency and burning like a fire
My every nerve is alive, buzzing with electric energy, like a flame that can't be tamed.
Boy you've got the motion down, it's getting late, I'm tired and I've lost control
You seem to be in control, but I'm losing my grip. The night has taken its toll on me.
Don't leave me here, time is running out
Don't abandon me now. The clock is merciless, and it ticks ever closer to the end.
Take me down the highway like a rocket to the ocean, we can run
Take me with you, as we escape down the highway, and blast off towards the beckoning sea.
Today can last another million years
Every day has the potential to hold timeless memories, if we live it to the fullest.
Today could be the end of me
We don't know what the future holds, so we must make the most of the present.
It's 11:59, and I want to stay alive
The seconds are slipping away. I'm on the brink, and holding on for dear life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIMMY DESTRI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Charlesheusel62
Blondie was my favorite band in 1979 and 1980 when I graduated from High School. There was a real opionated girl in my class that always made fun of me because I really liked Debbie Harry and Blondie. She said they won't ever sell any records. Was she ever wrong. I knew then Blondie would be timeless and Hall of Fame bound. She was just a jealous female who couldn't recognize talent and beautiful music. Jill, I hope you read this and eat crow!
@clivebroad9542
This is by far the most underrated and underplayed Blondie song. It should have been a single release and would have been a number one. Would also add that Debbie is the epitome of cool and Sexy in the video
@andyturner3056
Was always my favourite too 👌😎
@user-hu7oh5fx1p
Not underrated by Blondie's actual fans.
@johnmonastirli1145
I wonder what it feels like to be the coolest person in the room! Only Miss Harry knows.
@paulelsey8216
57 year old man has teenage fantasies instantly reignited after watching video on YouTube......
@donpietruk1517
Debbie in knee high black boots! Now I have another set of issues I need to work past 🤣
@spartanx5806
debbie harry is an absolute beauty......
@Charlesheusel62
Great song its 11:59. What a genius song about life in general hidden in its content. Mysterious and brilliant definition plus encouragement about getting out there and living life to its fullest and having fun while enroute to your destiny, fun and satisfaction.
@jamescarpenter275
The most beautiful woman in the world!