Call Me (Blondie song)

"Call Me"
Single by Blondie
from the album American Gigolo
Released	February 1, 1980
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	August 1979 in New York[1]
Genre	Dance-rock,[2] new wave[3]
Length	3:32 (7" version) 8:04 (LP version)
Label	Polydor Records Chrysalis Records Salsoul Records
Writer(s)	Debbie Harry, Giorgio Moroder
Producer(s)	Giorgio Moroder
Certification	Gold (US) Silver (UK)
Blondie singles chronology
"The Hardest Part" (1980) Call Me (1980) "Atomic" (1980)
Audio sample file info · help Alternative cover German edition

"Call Me" is a 1980 song by the American rock band Blondie. Released in early 1980 as a single, "Call Me" was number one for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it became the band's biggest single and second #1.^[1] It also hit #1 in the UK and Canada, where it became their fourth and second chart-topper respectively. In the year-end charts of 1980 it was Billboard's #1 hit and RPM's #3.^[4][5]

Song and single information

"Call Me" was the main theme song of the 1980 film American Gigolo. European disco producer Giorgio Moroder originally asked Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac to help compose and perform a song for the soundtrack, but she declined as a recently signed contract with Modern Records prevented her from working with Moroder. It was at this time that Moroder turned to Debbie Harry and Blondie. Moroder presented Harry with a rough instrumental track called "Man Machine". Harry was asked to write the lyrics and melody, a process that Harry states took only a few hours.^[6] Harry stated that the song is about driving, and that "When I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene, driving on the coast of California."^[7] The completed song was then recorded by the band, with Moroder producing. The bridge of the original English-language version also includes Harry singing "Call me, my darling" in Italian ("Amore, chiamami") and in French ("Appelle-moi, mon chéri").

In the US, the song was released by three different record companies: the longest version (at 8:06) on the soundtrack album by Polydor, the 7" and 12" on Blondie's label Chrysalis, and a Spanish language 12" version, with lyrics by Buddy and Mary McCluskey, on the disco label Salsoul Records. The Spanish version, titled "Llámame", was meant for release in Mexico and some South American countries. This version was also released in the US and the UK and had its CD debut on Chrysalis/EMI's rarities compilation Blonde and Beyond (1993). In 1988, a remixed version by Ben Liebrand taken from the Blondie remix album Once More into the Bleach was issued as a single in the UK. In 2001 the "original long version" appeared as a bonus track on the Autoamerican album re-issue.

Harry recorded an abbreviated version of the song, backed by the Muppet Band, for her guest appearance on the Muppet Show in August 1980. It was first broadcast in January 1981.

Popularity and acclaim

The single was released in the United States in February 1980. It peaked at No. 1 for six consecutive weeks, and was certified Gold (for one million copies sold) by the RIAA. It also spent four weeks at No. 2 on the US dance chart. The single was also No. 1 on Billboard magazine's 1980 year-end chart. The song lists at No. 44 on Billboard's All Time Top 100.^[8] It was released in the UK two months later, where it became Blondie's fourth UK No. 1 single in little over a year. The song was also played on a British Telecom advert in the 1980s. 25 years after its original release, "Call Me" was ranked at No. 283 on the list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In 1981, the song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Music video

There were two videos made:

• One was compiled clips and video footage in New York of Debbie Harry. The video can be found on the 1991 UK video compilation The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie.
• The other, which came out in 1981, was non-representational, not featuring any of the band. It depicted a New York taxi driver (who had in fact appeared in numerous other Blondie music videos) driving his Checker Taxi through Manhattan traffic. This version was part of the 1981 "Best Of Blondie" compilation video.

Release history

1980 Release

US, UK 7" (CHS 2414)

1. "Call Me (Theme from American Gigolo)" (7" edit) — 3:32
2. "Call Me" (7" instrumental) — 3:27

UK 12" (CHS 12 2414)

1. "Call Me" (7" edit) — 3:32
2. "Call Me" (Spanish version – 7" edit) — 3:32
3. "Call Me" (7" instrumental) — 3:27

US 12" (Polydor PRO 124)

1. "Call Me" (Theme from American Gigolo) — 8:04
2. "Call Me" (12" instrumental) — 6:10

US 12" (Salsoul SG 341) [promo only]

1. "Call Me" (Spanish version, extended) — 6:23
2. "Night Drive" (Reprise) - by Giorgio Morodor — 6:10

1989 Release

UK 7" (CHS 3342-1)

1. "Call Me" (Ben Liebrand Remix) — 7:09
2. "Call Me" (Original Version) — 3:31

UK 12" (CHS 12 3342)

1. "Call Me" (Ben Liebrand Remix) — 7:09
2. "Backfired" (Bruce Forrest And Frank Heller Remix) — 6:03
3. "Call Me" (Original Version) — 3:31

UK CD (CHSCD 3342)

1. "Call Me" (Ben Liebrand Remix) — 7:09
2. "Backfired" (Bruce Forrest And Frank Heller Remix) — 6:03
   • Performed by Debbie Harry
3. "Call Me" (Original Version) — 3:31
4. "Hanging on the Telephone" — 2:23

Chart performance

Chart (1980) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 4 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 5 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 9 Belgium (BRT Top 30 Flanders)[12] 9 Canada (RPM 100 Singles)[5] 1 France [13] 4 Germany (Media Control Charts)[14] 14 Ireland (IRMA)[15] 2 Italy (FIMI)[16] 11 Japan (Oricon)[17] 12 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 9 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 6 Norway (VG-lista)[21] 2 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[22] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[23] 3 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 3 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[25] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[26] 1 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[26] 2 US Record World Singles[27] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1980) Peak position Canadian RPM 1980 Top 100 Singles[28] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[4] 1 End-of-decade charts End of decade (1980–1989) Position US Billboard Hot 100 8 1988 Remix chart positions Chart (1989) Peak position UK Singles Chart[29] 61 Sales and certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Canada (Music Canada)[30] Platinum 10,000^ United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Silver 200,000^ United States (RIAA)[32] Gold 1,000,000^ *sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Chart successions

Order of precedence
Preceded by "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" by Pink Floyd	US Billboard Hot 100 number one single April 19, 1980 – May 24, 1980 (6 weeks)	Succeeded by "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc.
Preceded by "Working My Way Back to You" by The Detroit Spinners	UK number one single April 26, 1980	Succeeded by "Geno" by Dexys Midnight Runners
Preceded by "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" by Pink Floyd (first run) "Rock Lobster" by The B-52's (second run)	Canadian RPM 100 number-one single May 3, 1980 – May 17, 1980 (3 weeks) May 31, 1980 – June 14, 1980 (re-entry, 3 weeks)	Succeeded by "Rock Lobster" by The B-52's (first run) Cars by Gary Numan (second run)

Chipmunks version

"Call Me"
Single by The Chipmunks
from the album Chipmunk Punk
Released	August 1980
Format	Vinyl
Recorded	September 1979
Length	3:11 (LP/radio version) 3:49 (12" version)
Label	Excelsior Records
Writer(s)	Debbie Harry, Giorgio Moroder
The Chipmunks singles chronology
"My Sharona" (1980) Call Me (1980) "On the Road Again" (1981)

In 1980, KMET DJ Chuck Taylor played the 12" version of this single at double speed and announced, in jest, that it was The Chipmunks' latest single. So many requests came for this "new" Chipmunks release, that Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and his collaborator Steve Vining rushed to record what would be the Chipmunks' "comeback album", Chipmunk Punk in 1980.

Tracklisting

US 7" (SIS-1003)

1. "Call Me" — 3:13
2. "Refugee" — 3:08

In This Moment version

"Call Me"
Single by In This Moment
from the album The Dream
Released	May 26, 2009
Recorded	2008
Genre	Metalcore
Length	3:17
Label	Century Media
Producer(s)	Kevin Churko
In This Moment singles chronology
"Forever" (2008) "Call Me" (2009) "The Gun Show" (2009)

The song was recorded in 2009 by metalcore band In This Moment.

Tracks

1. "Call Me" (Blondie cover) - 3:17
2. "A Dying Star" - 4:35
3. "Sailing Away" - 3:59

Music Vídeo

The video for the song was released in June 2009. It features vocalist Maria Brink talking through a telephone.

Other cover versions

• In 1980, Marianne Rosenberg in German
• In 1986, San Francisco-based band Until December covered the single on their self-titled album.^[33]
• In 1997, a cappella group Da Vinci's Notebook covered the song on their album Bendy's Law.^[34]
• In 1997, Finland group The 69 Eyes covered the song on their album Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.
• In 1999, artist Emilia Mojello recorded a cover for the soundtrack of the comedy film Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.^[35]
• In 2001, indie punk rock band Squatweiler recorded a cover for the compilation How Many Bands Does It Take to Screw up a Blondie Tribute.^[36]
• In 2001, artist Nikka Costa recorded a cover for the soundtrack of the comedy film Zoolander.^[37]
• In 2001, The Box Tops covered the song for the compilation When Pigs Fly: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear.^[38]
• In 2002, synthpop band I Am The World Trade Center covered the song on their album The Tight Connection.^[39]
• In 2002, Tiffany recorded a cover of the song for the compilation Platinum Girl: A Tribute to Blondie.^[40]
• In 2005, Lea DeLaria covered the song in the jazz album Double Standards.^[41]
• In 2008, Australian singer Tina Arena recorded a retro swing version of the song for her 2008 album Songs of Love & Loss II.^[42]
• In 2008, British singer Skye Edwards collaborated with Marc Collin of French band Nouvelle Vague on a cover of the song for the album Hollywood, Mon Amour.^[43]
• In 2009, American metalcore band In This Moment released a cover of this song as a single.
• Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand were asked by Blondie themselves^[44] to cover it for a War Child charity album.
• In 2010, British singer Samantha Fox and Italian singer Sabrina released a dance version of the song as a single.^[45]
• Blondie re-recorded the song (with Moroder returning as producer) for their 2014 re-recording compilation album Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux. The compilation was part of a 2-disc set called Blondie 4(0) Ever which included their 10th studio album Ghosts of Download and marked the 40th anniversary of the forming of the band.
• In 2015 for their deluxe-reissue of their latest album, Cult, American Punk band Bayside covered the song as one of their four new bonus tracks.

Live cover performances

• Garbage, No Doubt and The Distillers performed together a live version of the song in November 2002 at the Long Beach Arena.^[46][47]
• Ashlee Simpson covered the song live on her 2005 Autobiography tour.
• Diana Vickers performed the track on The X Factor in 2008.
• Fergie alongside Debbie Harry performed "Call me" at Fashion Rocks 2008.
• Franz Ferdinand and La Roux performed a live version for the 2009 NME Awards.
• American Idol season ten contestant Haley Reinhart performed the song during Idol Goes to the Movies week.
• Sabrina Salerno and Samantha Fox performed together a live version of the song in 2013 at the "Retro FM's Legends" in Russia.
• American Idol season 13 contestant Jessica Meuse performed the song during 80s week.
• Stephanie Nala performed the track on The X Factor in 2014.

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1980

References

External links

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Preceded by "Working My Way Back to You" by The Detroit Spinners	UK number one single 26 April 1980	Succeeded by "Geno" by Dexy's Midnight Runners
Preceded by "Another Brick In The Wall" by Pink Floyd	US number one singles 1980, April 19th for 6 weeks	Succeeded by "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc

Blondie Debbie Harry Chris Stein Clem Burke Leigh Foxx Matt Katz-Bohen Tommy Kessler Fred Smith Billy O'Connor Gary Valentine Frank Infante Nigel Harrison Kevin Patrick Jimmy Destri Paul Carbonara Studio albums Blondie Plastic Letters Parallel Lines Eat to the Beat Autoamerican The Hunter No Exit The Curse of Blondie Panic of Girls Ghosts of Download Compilations The Best of Blondie The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie Blonde and Beyond The Platinum Collection Denis Picture This – The Essential Blondie Collection Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie Greatest Hits Greatest Hits: Sight + Sound Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux Live albums Picture This Live Live Live by Request Remix albums Once More into the Bleach Beautiful: The Remix Album Remixed Remade Remodeled: The Remix Project Singles Blondie "X Offender" "In the Flesh" "Rip Her to Shreds" Plastic Letters "Denis" "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear" Parallel Lines "Picture This" "I'm Gonna Love You Too" "Hanging on the Telephone" "Heart of Glass" "Sunday Girl" "One Way or Another" Eat to the Beat "Dreaming" "Union City Blue" "The Hardest Part" "Atomic" American Gigolo soundtrack "Call Me" Autoamerican "The Tide Is High" "Rapture" The Hunter "Island of Lost Souls" "War Child" No Exit "Maria" "Nothing Is Real but the Girl" "No Exit" The Curse of Blondie "Good Boys" Panic of Girls "Mother" "What I Heard" Ghosts of Download "A Rose by Any Name" "Sugar on the Side" "I Want to Drag You Around" Other songs "Make a Way" Videos Eat to the Beat The Best of Blondie The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie Live Greatesst Video Hits Live by Request Tours "Tracks Across America Tour 1982" "No Exit Tour 1998-1999" "Camp Funtime Tour 2002" "Road Rage Tour 2006" "Parallel Lines 30th Anniversary Tour 2008" "Call Me Invincible Tour (With Pat Benatar) 2009" "Panic of Girls Tour 2011" "Blast Off Tour 2013" "No Principals Tour 2013" Related Articles Discography New wave music Labels Chrysalis Records Epic Records Private Stock Records Sanctuary Records Group Eleven Seven Records Bands The Wind in the Willows The Jazz Passengers Albums and songs American Gigolo soundtrack Book:Blondie

In This Moment Maria Brink Chris Howorth Randy Weitzel Tom Hane Travis Johnson Jesse Landry Jeff Fabb Josh Newell Pascual Romero Kyle Konkiel Blake Bunzel Studio albums Beautiful Tragedy The Dream A Star-Crossed Wasteland Blood Black Widow Live albums Blood at the Orpheum Compilation albums Rise of the Blood Legion - Greatest Hits (Chapter 1) Singles "Prayers" "Beautiful Tragedy" "Forever" "Call Me" "The Gun Show" "The Promise" "Blood" "Adrenalize" "Whore" "Sick Like Me" "Big Bad Wolf" "Sex Metal Barbie" Promotional singles "Bloody Creature Poster Girl" Related articles Century Media Atlantic Records

Billboard Year-End number one singles (1980–1999) 1980: "Call Me" – Blondie 1981: "Bette Davis Eyes" – Kim Carnes 1982: "Physical" – Olivia Newton-John 1983: "Every Breath You Take" – The Police 1984: "When Doves Cry" – Prince 1985: "Careless Whisper" – Wham! featuring George Michael 1986: "That's What Friends Are For" – Dionne & Friends 1987: "Walk Like an Egyptian" – The Bangles 1988: "Faith" – George Michael 1989: "Look Away" – Chicago 1990: "Hold On" – Wilson Phillips 1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" – Bryan Adams 1992: "End of the Road" – Boyz II Men 1993: "I Will Always Love You" – Whitney Houston 1994: "The Sign" – Ace of Base 1995: "Gangsta's Paradise" – Coolio featuring L.V. 1996: "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" – Los del Río 1997: "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something About the Way You Look Tonight" – Elton John 1998: "Too Close" – Next 1999: "Believe" – Cher Complete list (1946–1959) (1960–1979) (1980–1999) (2000–2019)