The 70s. Period of great cultural and social agitation, during which the musical scene has deeply mutated. New York was at the time violent and dangerous, in crisis, in turmoil. The punk rock resounds more and more loudly from the CBGB scene in the south of Manhattan, which sees in particular the first concerts of the **Ramones** taking place. In 1974, **Television**, **Patti Smith**, **Talking Heads** and **Blondie** heated up their ideas and guitars there. If **Blondie** is quickly noticed, in particular thanks to the divine beauty and the charisma of Debby Harry, the musical critics are mixed and quickly reproach the group for moving away from the essence of the punk movement in which they were born. **Blondie** is impregnated with the various New York trends with their first two albums, and quickly flirts with the disco or the new wave without never really igniting the crowds. ![Blondie @ CBGB](https://res.cloudinary.com/dxdgr9kr3/image/upload/v1683574570/71055434_D9_BA_4_D9_D_A28_A_A4951_BCDF_987_3c830d09ed.png) Photo: Lisa J. Kristal/www.proud.co.uk Until a meeting, perhaps the most important for the band of Debbie Harry and Chris Stein: Mike Chapman. With him, they will record in 1978 the album "Parallel Lines", which will propel **Blondie** at the top of the music charts all over the world. ## The recording of the album "Parallel Lines" with Mike Chapman was a key moment in the history of Blondie June 1978. **Blondie** enters in studio with the Australian producer. The group, which had already mixed genres with its first two albums, wanted to go further in its "experimentations". In truth, **Blondie** will refine its sound and fully assume it by finding its way in a subtle mixture of disco, new wave and alternative rock. Chapman is quickly demanding with the musicians that he finds sometimes lazy and limited. A real underground rock band that doesn't give a damn about anything and sees itself as more beautiful than it was. He asks them all to write songs. He asks them to re-record their parts, over and over again, until they are perfect and sometimes have a nervous breakdown. Chapman wants nothing less than technical and melodic perfection for his crown jewel, his true love: Debbie. Unlike the other members, he has nothing against the singer's voice, which he finds incredible. But he helps her to express herself even more intimately through lyrics sometimes written at the last moment just before a recording. He wants sincerity, punchlines, emotion. Without a doubt, a pop icon is being born before his eyes. **Blondie** is about to go down in history. ![blondie.webp](https://res.cloudinary.com/dxdgr9kr3/image/upload/v1683575698/blondie_8fa911f245.webp) ## Songs that instantly push Blondie to international success **Blondie**'s "Parallel Lines" is ultimately a pop music album, with its iconic Edo Bertoglio cover showing the band smiling against a black and white striped background (although **Blondie** initially refused to accept the photo, preferring to show themselves in a more serious light). Immediately adopted and broadcasted on radio, television and movies, this third album of **Blondie** propelled the band immediately to the top of the bill. ### 4 of the most popular songs on the record "Hanging on the Telephone" : cover of the band **The Nerves**, transformed for the occasion into a real punk rock classic. The song is accompanied by a sumptuous video clip that follows the aesthetics of the album cover and in which Debby Harry seems possessed by Ian Curtis. When you think of "Parallel Lines", you immediately think of "Heart Of Glass", one of **Blondie**'s biggest hits. The song, initially thought as a rock song, turned "disco" after suggestion of Mike Chapman. It was a great idea for a song that will reach the top of the charts in many countries. Written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison, "One Way or Another" is an intimate song about a man who was following Debbie Harry and stalking her on the streets of New York. Harry decided to turn the tables by writing a song about chasing someone. Written by Chris Stein, and inspired by a French pop song from the 60s, "Sunday Girl" is a beautiful ballad. If you want to know more about each song on the album, check out this BBC documentary that presents the making-of of "Parallel Lines" with the musicians and producers. ## Blondie's "Parallel Lines" tracklisting

Hanging on the Telephone 2:17
One Way or Another 3:31
Picture this 2:53
Fade Away and Radiate 3:57
Pretty Baby 3:16
I Know but I Don’t Know 3:53
11:59 3:199
Will Anything Happen? 2:55
Sunday Girl 3:01
Heart of Glass 3:54
I’m Gonna Love You Too 2:03
Just Go Away 3:21

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