The Essential 10: Blondie

This edition of The Essential 10, our quickfire introduction to a wide range of my favourite artists, features Blondie; an act that has managed 11 studio albums over a split up career that has thus far spanned 1974 to 1982, and 1997 to the present day, in some form or another.

I have trawled the entire catalogue to come up with ten of my favourite tracks by them. I generally try and slip in a few rarer, more obscure tracks, but they are a pretty well known name (to those of us over a certain age) and have so many bangers, there possibly won't be as many rare songs as usual.

Blondie came into my life around the turn of the 1970s into the 80s - every child knew them, they were on Top of the Pops pretty much every week around that time - and pretty much almost every male from the pre-pubescent to the elderly had a crush on Debbie Harry. But while the band got its name and to some extent its identity from Harry, they were always much more than that, as a talented bunch of musicians - and I can't let it pass without referencing possibly my favourite drummer of all time; the sadly late Clem Burke - one of the coolest rockers and hugely talented drummers of the pop era.

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1. X Offender: the very first single from 1976, and one of the catalysts for getting them signed by Chrysalis. It is a somewhat seedy song about a prostitute who tries to seduce the police officer who arrests her. (live on Musikladen, 1978)

2. Denis: one of many cover versions they took on and completely owned, making the originals almost meaningless. This had been a bit of a doo-wop hit back in 1963 (as Denice) by the beautifully named Randy & The Rainbows. (official music video)

3. Living In The Real World: a bit of a shouty, upbeat thrash from Eat To The Beat, written by keyboardist Jimmy Destri. It's a bit crazy and a bit daft, from the yelling at the beginning, to the almost constant whirl of drums and thick hammond chords, they must have been exhausted playing this one. (official music video)

4. Maria: after a fifteen year hiatus, Blondie resurfaced in 1997, largely intact at that point (minus either of their core bass players, Nigel Harrison and Gary Valentine, or guitarist Frank Infante). By 1999 they had pulled together a new album, No Exit, and to some surprise stormed up the charts with this single. (official music video)

5. Heart Of Glass: perhaps their signature smash, given that it was number one on both sides of the Atlantic. It was also one of the first tunes they had written back around 1974, with much more of a slow funk feel at the time. However, the more upbeat disco synth-pop of Giorgio Moroder was ruling the charts by the late 70s, and some of that rubbed off on Heart Of Glass when they re-recorded it for Parallel Lines. (epic live version from Glasgow, 1979)

6. Picture This: a very steamy number, with lyrics written by Harry, presumably about her then boyfriend and fellow band member, Chris Stein. A perfect peach of a pop tune. (official music video)

7. Rip Her To Shreds: this was an early favourite of mine, coming from the self-titled debut album (and was also on their first compilation album). I always chuckled at the line, "She looks like she washes with vomit!" So yes, it's a raunchy, rock n roll, bitchy ode to gossip columns, and while it never charted, it did later pitch up in the successful movie Bridesmaids. (audio only)

8. Will Anything Happen?: this album track off of Parallel Lines, which coincidentally may be just about the most perfect new wave, power-pop record ever made, was actually written by someone called Jack Lee of obscure new wavers, The Nerves (who did well for Blondie, as he also wrote Hanging On The Telephone). You may get bored of hearing me saying stuff like this, but this is three minutes of near perfect power-pop. (audio only)

9. (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear: bass player Gary Valentine penned this top track, apparently writing about the psychic connection he had with his girlfriend. He had left the band before Plastic Letters, and it was Clem Burke who convinced the others to record the song for the album - just as well, as it also made number ten on the UK singles chart. I wonder if Valentine saw that coming... (live on the Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978 - we are slowly ramping up the Clem levels as we go)

10. Union City Blue: amongst the myriad of many incredible songs this band came up with, this is perhaps my favourite of them all. The idea came from Harry, who had just acted in the movie Union City, and who had also grown up around that New Jersey area, working as a go-go dancer in the town for a while when she was younger. (live in Glasgow, 1979 - we have now hit peak Clem - an absolute pop drumming masterclass - he looks so full of joy! A stunningly great version of a great song. You're welcome)

Coda: hopefully you have watched all ten videos now (and if not, why the heck not?) - and hopefully two things are apparent to you as a result:

1. Debbie Harry was a goddess sent from another planet

2. They wrote some of the best power-pop songs of all time

3. Clem Burke was just the bestest, coolest, funnest drummer there was - I really miss him...