"Heart of Glass" is a seminal song by the American new wave band Blondie, written by lead singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. It was released on January 28, 1979, as the third single from their third studio album, Parallel Lines (1978)15.
Key Highlights:
- The song reached number one on the singles charts in multiple countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, making it one of Blondie's biggest international hits.
- It has sold over 1.3 million copies in the UK alone, ranking as the ninth best-selling single of the 1970s in that country, and ranks number 66 on the UK's all-time best-selling singles list.
- "Heart of Glass" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015 as a recording of significant historical and qualitative importance.
- It is widely regarded as Blondie's signature song and has been praised by multiple music publications like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Slant, and Billboard as one of the greatest songs of its era and one of the best dance/pop songs of all time.
Musical Style and Production:
- The song is notable for being one of the earliest rock/disco fusion hits, blending Blondie's punk/new wave roots with a funky disco beat.
- The production prominently features a Roland CR-78 drum machine, along with synthesizers like the Roland SH-5 and Minimoog, giving it a distinctive electronic sound layered with guitars.
- Producer Mike Chapman played a key role in crafting this danceable sound, remixing it for radio by emphasizing the snare and bass drum to accentuate the groove.
- Interestingly, some of the original lyrics included the phrase "pain in the ass," which was softened to "heart of glass" for radio play, with the BBC censoring the word "ass" in the UK.
Background and Legacy:
- The song's origins date back to earlier versions titled "Once I Had a Love," which had a slower, more blues/reggae vibe before evolving into the upbeat disco-influenced track that became a hit.
- Although a major hit in rock and new wave circles, "Heart of Glass" was initially not very successful in traditional disco clubs like Studio 54 but found more favor in alternative dance venues.
- Its music video, directed by Stanley Dorfman, was filmed at the then-famous but short-lived disco club Studio 54 in New York City.
- Debbie Harry has cited "Heart of Glass," alongside "Rapture," as two of the songs she is most proud of.
Versions and Re-releases:
- The original album version runs around 3:54 minutes, with extended disco mixes reaching nearly 6 minutes.
- Blondie re-recorded "Heart of Glass" for their 2014 release Blondie 4(0) Ever.
- In 2018, a special EP showcasing multiple versions of "Heart of Glass" was released, highlighting the song’s evolution from demos to the hit single.
Summary:
"Heart of Glass" broke new ground by marrying punk/new wave energy with disco and electronic production, helping pioneer a genre-blending sound that influenced many artists that followed. It remains Blondie’s best-known track, a dance floor staple, and an emblematic song of the late 1970s.
Notable lyric excerpt:
Once I had a love, it was a gas
Soon turned out, it was a pain in the ass
(Replaced in radio versions by) Soon turned out, had a heart of glass
"Heart of Glass" stands as both a dance anthem and a bold artistic statement that captured the unique spirit of its era.
