The song was sampled in “Funky” by Tic Tac Toe.
A home demo of the song was included on Blondie’s first archival project “Against The Odds: 1974 - 1982[/-album]”.
The Hardest Part
Blondie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside the armored car, ride two big armed guards
In a bulletproof vest, shatterproof glass, overdrive we're gonna pass
Twenty five tons of hardened steel, rolls on no ordinary wheel
The hardest part of the armored guard
Big man of steel behind the steering wheel
Nitro and acetylene open la machine
No short heist no overnight big money
Bulletproof vest, shatterproof glass, overdrive we're gonna pass
Time bomb, greasy mob, count down ,hurry up, come on
The hardest part of the armored guard
Big man of steel behind the steering wheel
In a wire mesh cage with a twelve gauge
Radio, we're coming fast
Ooh need to feel some hardened steel
Deliver the big money deal
Of the armored guard here's what I heard
I'll tell you that he will no matter what you feel
The hardest part of the armored guard
Big man of steel behind the steering wheel
Twenty five tons of hardened steel deliver the big money deal
Blondie's "The Hardest Part" is a song that chronicles the daring escape of an armored car that is carrying a large sum of money. The first verse sets the scene: "Twenty five tons of hardened steel, rolls on no ordinary wheel. Inside the armored car, ride two big armed guards." The lyrics describe the armored car as virtually impenetrable, with bulletproof vests and shatterproof glass, and the driver is a "Big man of steel behind the steering wheel."
The chorus contains the title of the song and reinforces the message that the job of the armored guard is extremely difficult and dangerous: "The hardest part of the armored guard, Big man of steel behind the steering wheel." The verse that follows highlights the urgency of the situation, with the driver moving the car into overdrive as they speed away from the scene of the heist. The bridge of the song describes the ticking time bomb of the heist, adding to the tension of the situation. The final verse brings the song full circle, repeating the image of "Twenty five tons of hardened steel" that is carrying the "big money deal."
The lyrics of "The Hardest Part" play on the glamour of the heist and the image of the daring criminal, but they also highlight the danger and violence of the situation. The armored guard is portrayed as a hero, facing down armed robbers and risking his life to protect the money. Through the use of repeated imagery and a driving beat, Blondie creates a feeling of urgency and tension that mirrors the situation of the armored guard.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty five tons of hardened steel, rolls on no ordinary wheel
The heist vehicle is a heavily armored car that cannot be stopped easily.
Inside the armored car, ride two big armed guards
The armored car is manned by two armed guards who are responsible for protecting the contents of the car.
In a bulletproof vest, shatterproof glass, overdrive we're gonna pass
The car is equipped with safety features like bulletproof vest and shatterproof glass to ensure safety during the high-speed chase.
The hardest part of the armored guard
Being an armored guard is a challenging job that requires one to be alert and on their toes at all times.
Big man of steel behind the steering wheel
The driver of the armored car is a skilled and experienced person who can handle the pressure of the heist.
Nitro and acetylene open la machine
Accelerants like nitro and acetylene are used to increase the speed of the car during the heist.
No short heist no overnight big money
The heist is not a short-term plan and requires a lot of planning and execution to result in a big payout.
Take ya to Brazil
The plan involves moving the stolen money to Brazil, which is known for its lax banking laws.
Time bomb, greasy mob, count down, hurry up, come on
The heist involves timing the execution perfectly and requires all members of the team to be quick and efficient.
In a wire mesh cage with a twelve gauge
The guards inside the armored car are equipped with weapons like a twelve-gauge shotgun to defend themselves in case of an attack.
Radio, we're coming fast
The team communicates using a radio to ensure smooth execution of the plan while on the move.
Ooh need to feel some hardened steel
The team is determined to succeed in their heist and is willing to face the challenges that come with it.
Deliver the big money deal
The goal of the heist is to successfully obtain a large sum of money and deliver it to the designated location.
Of the armored guard here's what I heard
The singer has heard of the challenges and dangers that come with being an armored guard.
I'll tell you that he will no matter what you feel
The armored guard is committed to protecting the contents of the car, no matter the circumstances.
Twenty five tons of hardened steel deliver the big money deal
The heavily armored car is the key tool in successfully obtaining a large sum of money during the heist.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS STEIN, DEBORAH HARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PittOriole
Debbie is such a great rock frontwoman. She has so much swagger and confidence.
@rorogogo6241
you should have been rock critic
@ricomon35
She sure can't dance though. Just lame-ass stumbling about in heels and wig.
Just awful... 😆🤣
@angusorvid8840
I met Debbie in '79. She was at restaurant in West Los Angeles where my aunt worked as a waitress and me and my aunt and my mom all met her. She was totally cool. She was wearing Ray-Bans and it looked like she was dining with record execs.
@andyanderson4086
She was the coolest woman on the planet in '79.
@rogermckay4710
More than Crissy Hynde? Dunno.
Don't forget Pat Benetar, either.
@ruimateus4031
Chrissie was and is pretty cool, but there's something about Debbie that makes her cooler.
@whAwsTfLmoN
Andy Anderson still is
@925stefan
Andy Anderson she still is
@davemcintyre1508
Still cool 40 years later. Time flies.