BLONDIE: 45 years ago – “Parallel Lines” (part 4)

Automatic translation. Improvements are constantly being worked on.

Tears are worth it – Part 4

While we talked about the genesis of Blondie’s album “Parallel Lines” in the first three parts of our 45th anniversary special, we are now taking a closer look at the individual tracks. You can read part 1 here.

“Parallel Lines” – The tracks:

1. “Hanging on the Telephone” – was originally written in 1976 by Jack Lee for his band The Nerves. But it was Blondie’s version that first made itself heard.

2. “One Way or Another” – Debbie Harry found inspiration in her experience with a stalker who forced her to move away from New Jersey in the early seventies.

3. “Picture This” – Chapman was thrilled with Debbie’s lyrics and speculated to the Smithsonian Channel: “It was something she had obviously lived through. I think she was watching Chris (Stein – author’s note) shower! I wouldn’t have wanted to watch Chris shower, but Debbie obviously enjoyed it!”

4. “Fade Away and Radiate” – Stein is responsible for this composition.

5. “Pretty Baby” – A collaboration between Deborah and Chris. The live versions without artificial background vocals were particularly legendary.

6. “I Know but I Don’t Know” – The piece was written by guitarist Frank Infante.

7. “11:59” – Jimmy Destri is responsible for the songwriting, he also created the dynamic beat. An extremely life-affirming track.

8. “Will Anything Happen” – This composition was originally written by Jack Lee(The Nerves).

9. “Sunday Girl” – The song was written by Chris Stein and inspired by Harry’s cat named Sunday Man, who had recently run away. This also explains the plaintive nature of the piece. There is also a French-language version of this song.

10. “Heart of Glass” – Debbie Harry is particularly proud of this song, even by her own admission. It was one of the first songs written for Blondie. But several years were to pass before it sounded “right” and it was only with producer Mike Chapman that the icing on the cake was added.

11. “I’m Gonna Love You too” – Another cover song, first recorded by Buddy Holly in 1957.