X-Offender
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "X Offender" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Blondie | ||
| from the album Blondie | ||
| B-side(s) | In The Sun | |
| Released | 1976 | |
| Format | Vinyl | |
| Recorded | 1976 | |
| Genre | Punk pop/New Wave | |
| Length | 3:15 | |
| Label | Private Stock RecordsChrysalis Records | |
| Writer(s) | Gary Valentine;Deborah Harry | |
| Producer(s) | Richard Gottehrer | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
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| Blondie singles chronology | ||
| N/A | X-Offender (1976) |
"Rip Her To Shreds" (1976) |
X-Offender was the first single to be released by Blondie on Private Stock Records in 1976 from their Blondie début album.
The title of the song was originally "Sex Offender". Bassist Gary Valentine originally wrote the song about an 18 year old boy being arrested for having sex with his younger girlfriend. Debbie Harry changed the lyrics so that the song was about a prostitute being attracted to the policeman that had arrested her.
The track was produced by Richard Gottehrer who had worked with 1960s girl group The Angels and the song is reminiscent of that era in its style. Jimmy Destri's keyboard on the song sounds similar to the Del Shannon hit "Runaway".
Private Stock insisted that the name of the single be changed to "X-Offender" because they were nervous about the original title. It was released in 1976 with the B-side being "In The Sun". The song didn't chart but Chrysalis Records heard it and the Blondie album and signed the band. "X-Offender" was also the b-side to "Rip Her to Shreds".
Due to the limited copies of the single released and the subsequent popularity, a copy of the Private Stock single "X-Offender/In the Sun" is a sought-after rarity with copies selling for £750 in collectors' markets.
[edit] References
- allmusic.com article on Blondie album
- Blondie discography
- Rough Guides, The Rough Guide to Cult Pop: The Songs - The Artists - The Genres - The Dubious Fashions Rough Guides 2003 ISBN 1-84353-229-8
