Song of the Day: 'Call Me' by Blondie

Fun little piece about the history of "Call Me" HERE, which would go on to be the biggest U.S. single of 1980. 

Still find it hard to believe Blondie is opening for Morrissey, but I'll be there just the same!

Tickets on sale now HERE.

All Things Music:

"Call Me" by Blondie

In an unexpected twist of musical destiny, one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s emerged from a rejected collaboration. When legendary disco producer Giorgio Moroder needed a vocalist for his American Gigolo soundtrack, his first choice, Stevie Nicks, had to decline due to contractual obligations. This fortuitous rejection led to a partnership with Blondie's Debbie Harry that would create music history.

The resulting masterpiece, "Call Me," dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks in 1980, becoming Blondie's biggest hit and the year's top single. Written from the perspective of a male prostitute, Harry crafted the provocative lyrics in mere hours after receiving Moroder's instrumental track, originally titled "Man Machine." The collaboration merged Harry's punk-infused new wave sensibilities with Moroder's pulsating Euro-disco production, creating a sound that defined an era.

The song's success transcended borders, reaching number one in multiple countries and establishing Harry as the first female songwriter in British chart history to pen three chart-topping hits. The track's infectious energy, driven by its 143 beats per minute tempo and Harry's commanding vocal range, transformed what could have been a simple film soundtrack into a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate decades later.

This groundbreaking collaboration between an Italian disco pioneer and an American new wave band perfectly captured the transitional period between the disco era and the emerging new wave movement, creating a timeless classic that embodied the glamour and edge of 1980s pop culture.