Rapture

I've wanted to write about Blondie's "Rapture" for quite some time, and I finally bit the bullet.  I've been searching and reading high and low trying to figure this song out, and I think I've thrown in the towel.  A while ago, I read all kinds of interesting conversation about "finger popping" and "twenty-four hour shopping," -- as in the fact that those were not the lyrics that Debbie Harry actually sings.  If you listen closely, you can definitely hear something other than "popping."  I won't say what it is that people claim to hear, but I think I agree.  Plus, I looked up "finger popping" in some urban dictionaries, and well, it's pretty much what it sounds like.  However, I did hear another performance of the song with Debbie Harry and Eve on VH-1's "Divas Live" from 2004, and I swear it sounds like she says finger snapping or something completely different.  Maybe it is something different each time.

I actually never knew what the lyrics were to this song at all.  All I could understand was "raaaaaaaaaapture....."  Or at least that's how it sounded to me.  I also could hear "Fab 5 Freddy told me" something or other.  Please, do not get me wrong here.  I absolutely love Blondie and would honestly pass out if I ever met Debbie Harry in person.  I think the group was genius, and I actually don't mind that I can't understand the lyrics.  No problem at all.  The video has always scared me, though.  I really think it's the guy in the white tux dancing around expressionless with sunglasses.  It creeped me out.  But, it's okay.  Now that I am older, what strikes me the most about the song is actually the instrumental part.  Sounds like chimes in the beginning, but I am guessing it's a synthesizer.  Then, the bass guitar and rhythm guitar lines are just intermingled perfectly.  To me, I really hear the bass and the brass section most prominently.  I swear I hear saxes, too.  It's quite the intricate instrumental backing for this awesome tune.  Of course, Debbie Harry's voice can put you in a trance with it's sweet and ethereal quality on this song.  I was really surprised to see her singing with Eve on the VH-1 special -- but surprised in a good way.  Debbie Harry truly is a rock legend, and she can sing with whomever she pleases across all genres -- and it kicks a--!!!!!  What else can I say?  Not much!  Enjoy -- I've added the original video and the clip from the 2004 Divas Live.

Blondie - Behind the Music Remastered

Last night, I had the chance to watch VH-1's "Behind the Music Remastered" episode about the group Blondie.  It was really, really good.  I realized after watching this that there was so much to the group that I never knew.  The first and foremost was that they were from the NYC area.  Debbie Harry grew up in NJ and then moved to the city, where she met the other band members.  Wow -- I can't believe I didn't know this!  Makes me proud since I am from NY.  I guess I had never really listened to an interview with her, either, and I was pretty surprised.  She seemed very mellow, laid-back, pensive, soft-spoken, and introspective.  Just seemed so different from her persona on stage.  I think it is amazing. Kudos to her, because she is definitely a performer and a "regular person."  Nice to see a dichotomy there.

There are so many songs by the group that are terrific - "Heart of Glass," "Rapture," "Call Me," "Tide is High."  What is truly remarkable is how different those songs are stylistically.  I love all of these and could certainly listen to them again and again, but I found something that is kind of a "lost gem" in her discography -- "Dreaming."  I think the last time I heard this song, I was shopping in Express.  It doesn't get as much attention as her other hits, but it is just a very cool song nonetheless.  The lyrics are nice and light.  Interesting, too, and certainly "dreamy."  It's nice and refreshing to hear these type of lyrics, although the first line really packs a punch --"When I met you in the restaurant, you could tell I was no debutante."  Touché!  Very cool -- sort of "tongue in cheek."  Lyrics like that always make me smile.  I hope you'll enjoy this song as well.  Check out the VH-1 episode, too.  It is worth watching,