Call Me – Blondie | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 6 weeks); 1980
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
The second most popular song of 1980, Call Me by Blondie, was also the NYC band’s second #1. Just as Richard Gere was not the first choice to play the high priced call boy in American Gigolo (John Travolta turned down the role), Deborah Harry got the nod after Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac declined.
Producer/arranger Giorgio Moroder’s resume included a highly successful collaboration with Donna Summer and a 1978 Best Original Score Oscar for Midnight Express. Now he was hard at work on American Gigolo with the instrumental music bed completed and needing lyrics. Debbie previewed a rough edit of the film then promptly came up with the words.
A couple of hours in the studio to lay down her vocals, and the tune was done. Buyers of the AG soundtrack enjoyed over eight minutes of Call Me vs. the three-and-a-half minute edit available on the 45 and Blondie’s Best Of LP.
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:
- Giorgio Moroder
Lyrics Written by:
- Debbie Harry
- Giorgio Moroder
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).