Heart Of Glass – Blondie | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#1) and Dance (#58); 1979

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

In 1975 Blondie was just another struggling group in New York City although, unbeknownst to them, they already had the blueprint for their breakthrough in hand. In the meantime, they got a label deal and released X Offender and In The Flesh to underwhelming response.

Another deal and another disc – Denis – brought a #2 British hit and a bit of American FM airplay. Three more UK Top 10’s followed, but still no Stateside action. In 1978 Blondie resuscitated a song Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein had written three years earlier in their down-and-out apartment.

Under the guidance of producer Mike Chapman, Once I Had A Love (aka The Disco Song) was transformed from a so-so dance number to a pulsating rock-meetsdisco standout. Done as a one-off novelty to add diversity to the Parallel Lines LP, Heart Of Glass exploded to #1 in April of 1979; throwing Blondie into the national spotlight. A remixed version reached #7 on the dance list in 1995.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

• Mike Chapman

Lyrics Written by:

• Debbie Harry
• Chris Stein

Awards:

• Won Grammy Hall of Fame Award (2015)
• Nominated for Juno Award for International Single of the Year (1980)
• Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (1980)