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.
Heroes
Blondie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, forever and ever
What'd you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day
The lyrics to the Blondie version of David Bowie’s song “Heroes” speaks to the idea of living in the moment and cherishing the time we have together. The opening line “I, I will be king, and you, you will be queen” is a declaration that the two people in the song are powerful and can conquer anything that gets in their way. But the line “Though nothing, will drive them away” seems to acknowledge that the obstacles in the world are persistent and strong.
The hook of the song “We can be heroes, just for one day” suggests that it is possible for these two people to overcome those obstacles and be heroes, at least briefly. The lines “And you, you can be mean, and I, I’ll drink all the time, ‘cause we’re lovers, and that is a fact” is an acknowledgement that their bond is strong enough to withstand the challenges, but it may not always be easy.
In the third verse, the lines “I, I can remember standing by the wall, and the guns shot above our heads, and we kissed as though nothing could fall” refers to the Berlin Wall and the sense of freedom and possibility that came with its fall. The song repeatedly emphasizes the fleeting nature of the moment, but still celebrates the possibility of coming together and being stronger for it.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I will be king
I want to feel important and powerful
And you, you will be queen
And you will be my partner, my equal
Though nothing, will drive them away
Despite the obstacles we may face
We can beat them, just for one day
We can overcome them, if only for a brief moment
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be exceptional, if only for a short time
And you, you can be mean
You can be cruel or unpleasant
And I, I'll drink all the time
And I'll consume alcohol as a coping mechanism
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Because we are romantically involved, that is indisputable
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Yes we are lovers, and that is final
Though nothing, will keep us together
Despite any challenges we may face as a couple
We could steal time, just for one day
We could find a way to spend time together, if only briefly
We can be heroes, forever and ever
We can be exceptional forever, if we are willing to try
What'd you say?
What do you think?
I, I wish you could swim
I wish you had a certain ability or quality
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Like the way dolphins are able to swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
Despite any obstacles we may face
We can beat them, forever and ever
We can overcome them forever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day
We can do something memorable, if only for a brief time
I, I will be king
I want to feel important and powerful
And you, you will be queen
And you will be my partner, my equal
Though nothing, will drive them away
Despite the obstacles we may face
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be exceptional, if only for a short time
We can be us, just for one day
We can be ourselves, if only for a brief time
I, I can remember (I remember)
I have a particular memory that stands out
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
Standing near a physical barrier
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And the sound of gunfire was heard nearby
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And we shared an intimate moment, without fear or worry
And the shame, was on the other side
And any feelings of embarrassment or guilt were not ours to bear
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
We can overcome obstacles indefinitely
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
Then we could do something exceptional, if only for a brief moment
We can be heroes
We can do something exceptional
We can be heroes
We can do something exceptional
We can be heroes
We can do something exceptional
Just for one day
If only for a brief moment
We can be heroes
We can do something exceptional
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
We have nothing of value and no outside assistance
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
Perhaps we are being dishonest, so you may want to leave
But we could be safer, just for one day
But we could feel secure, if only briefly
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, if only for a brief moment
Lyrics © DistroKid, Freibank Musikverlags und vermarktungs GmbH, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Bluewater Music Corp., Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Actual Music, S.L.
Written by: Brian Peter George Eno, David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@opinionday0079
imagine if she married Bowie....... my god their children would be beautiful.
@ivemcfallen9117
Chris stein is also very attractive
@pinkyboy8576
Iman is also really attractive like a goddess
@TheophilusPWildbeest
I've still got my favourite poster of Debbie, it's 40 years old at least, hidden in the attic where the wife can't find it.
It makes me smile.
@Kashaslove
LOL! I remember my Dad saying she was the sexiest thing around. My Dad was straight as an arrow and NEVER said things like that! I DIED laughing!
@terideering3054
Ermmm hope that's a joke. Not funny either way. Grow up man FFFS!!! Hiding from the wife??!...
@TheophilusPWildbeest
@@terideering3054 Don't you have any souvenirs of when you were growing up, a box of toys that were your favourites, that you want to keep to make you smile and remember happy times, maybe not.
@dougbarker2227
@@terideering3054 Found the Karen
@darrellknight8046
Very awesome no telling what its worth
@MitchRuth
One of my favorite Fripp solos of all time.