Call Me (Blondie song)

Last updated

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Call Me"
Debbie Harry wrote the song's lyrics; she was coached by composer Giorgio Moroder to add some Italian- and French-language phrases including "Amore, chiamami" and "Appelle-moi, mon chéri". [13]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Harry said the lyrics were inspired by her visual impressions from watching the film and that "When I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene, driving on the coast of California." [14] The completed song was then recorded by the band, with Moroder producing. The bridge of the original English-language version also includes Harry saying "call me" in two European languages: Italian : Amore, chiamami, lit.  'Love, call me' and French : Appelle-moi, mon chéri, lit.  'Call me, my darling'.

In 2014, keyboardist-composer Harold Faltermeyer remembered the recording process as having three main sections: first Moroder and his music crew recorded an instrumental version of the song at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, with the tape locked to SMPTE timecode so that it would synchronize with the film. Then the project moved to New York for the Blondie recording session, at which the band surprised Moroder by insisting they would play their own parts. Faltermeyer was engineering when Harry sang and Chris Stein played electric guitar. Stein's guitar and amplifier were buzzing and noisy, so his setup was repaired to get a clean recording. The band had difficulty locking to sync, so Moroder stopped the unfinished sessions to save time, and took the project back to Los Angeles to more quickly add the final parts with his own picked musicians, including a keyboard solo by Faltermeyer. [15]

On the American Gigolo soundtrack album, Blondie the band is credited only for vocals, with other credits naming Moroder's crew of Keith Forsey on drums/percussion and Faltermeyer on keyboards and arrangements. [16] Faltermeyer said the band was angry about being replaced by session players, but the song turned out to be very successful, so they took it in stride. Blondie keyboard player Jimmy Destri was obligated to play Faltermeyer's solo in concerts. [15]

Release

In the US, the song was released by three 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. A Spanish-language 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.

In 2014, Blondie re-recorded the song for their compilation album Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux. The compilation was part of a 2-disc set called Blondie 4(0) Ever which included their tenth studio album Ghosts of Download and marked the 40th anniversary of the forming of the band.

Harry recorded an abbreviated version of the song that was backed by the Muppet Band for her guest appearance on The Muppet Show in August 1980. It was first broadcast in January 1981. [17]

Popularity and acclaim

The single was released in the United States in February 1980. It spent six consecutive weeks at number one 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. 57 on Billboard's All Time Top 100. [18] 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.[ citation needed ]

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 Village Voice ranked "Call Me" as the third-best song of the year 1980 on its annual year-end critics' poll, Pazz & Jop. [19] In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number three on their list of the 10 greatest Blondie songs, [20] and in 2021, The Guardian ranked the song number four on their list of the 20 greatest Blondie songs. [21]

In 1981, the song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, as well as for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.[ citation needed ]

Music video

There were two videos made:

Charts

"Call Me"
Blondie - Call Me.png
Single picture sleeve (US and some other releases used a white background, while most overseas releases used pink)
Single by Blondie
from the album American Gigolo
B-side "Call Me" (instrumental) (U.S.)
ReleasedJanuary 29, 1980 (US)
RecordedAugust 1979, New York City [1]
Genre
Length
  • 2:15 (music video version)
  • 3:32 (radio edit)
  • 8:05 (album version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Giorgio Moroder
Blondie singles chronology
"The Hardest Part"
(1980)		"Call Me"
(1980)		"Atomic"
(1980)
Music video
"Call Me" on YouTube

Sales and certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [49] Platinum150,000^
Italy (FIMI) [50] Gold25,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [51] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [52] Platinum600,000‡
United States (RIAA) [53] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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) [promo only]
  1. "Call Me" (Theme from American Gigolo) — 8:04
  2. "Night Drive" (Reprise) - by Giorgio Moroder — 3:52
US 12" (Salsoul SG 341)
  1. "Call Me" (Spanish version, extended) — 6:23
  2. "Call Me" (Instrumental) — 6:10

1989 release

UK 7" (CHS 3342-1)
  1. "Call Me" (Ben Liebrand Remix edit) — 3:48
  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

Notable samples & covers

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blondie (band)</span> American rock band

Blondie is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1974 by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the American new wave genre and scene of the mid-1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giorgio Moroder</span> Italian composer and music producer (born 1940)

Giovanni Giorgio Moroder is an Italian composer and music producer. Dubbed the "Father of Disco", Moroder is credited with pioneering Euro disco and electronic dance music. His work with synthesizers had a significant influence on several music genres such as hi-NRG, Italo disco, synth-pop, new wave, house, and techno music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Faltermeyer</span> German musician

Hans Hugo Harold Faltermeyer is a German musician, composer and record producer.

<i>The Curse of Blondie</i> 2003 studio album by Blondie

The Curse of Blondie is the eighth studio album from the American rock band Blondie. It was released in October 2003, and peaked at #36 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Way or Another</span> 1979 single by Blondie

"One Way or Another" is a song by American new wave band Blondie from their 1978 album Parallel Lines. Lyrically, the song was inspired by Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry's experience with a stalker in the early 1970s, an incident which forced her to move away from New Jersey. The song's music was composed by bassist Nigel Harrison, who introduced the Ventures-influenced track to keyboardist Jimmy Destri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart of Glass (song)</span> 1979 song by Blondie

"Heart of Glass" is a song by the American new wave band Blondie, written by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. It was featured on the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines (1978), and was released as the album's third single in January 1979 and reached number one on the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atomic (song)</span> 1980 single by Blondie

"Atomic" is a song by American rock band Blondie from their fourth studio album, Eat to the Beat (1979). Written by Debbie Harry and Jimmy Destri and produced by Mike Chapman, the song was released in February 1980 as the album's third single.

<i>Autoamerican</i> 1980 studio album by Blondie

Autoamerican is the fifth studio album by American rock band Blondie. It was released in November 1980 and reached No. 3 in the UK charts, No. 7 in the US, and No. 8 in Australia. The album spawned two singles, "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture". "The Tide Is High" hit number one in several countries, including the US and the UK. "Rapture" became the first rap song ever to reach number one on the singles chart in the US. It also reached number five in the UK and number four in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapture (Blondie song)</span> 1981 single by Blondie

"Rapture" is a song by American rock band Blondie from their fifth studio album Autoamerican (1980). Written by band members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, and produced by Mike Chapman, the song was released as the second and final single from Autoamerican on January 12, 1981, by Chrysalis Records. Musically, "Rapture" is a combination of new wave, disco and hip hop with a rap section forming an extended coda.

<i>The Best of Blondie</i> 1981 greatest hits album by Blondie

The Best of Blondie is the first greatest hits album by American rock band Blondie. It was released in October 1981, by Chrysalis Records. The album peaked at number four in the United Kingdom and number 30 in the United States, while becoming the band's only number-one album in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Boys (song)</span> 2003 single by Blondie

"Good Boys" is a song by American rock band Blondie. Issued on August 11, 2003, it was the only single released from their eighth studio album, The Curse of Blondie (2003). The single was released as part of a two-CD set and on 12-inch vinyl. CD 1 features live versions of "Maria" and "Rapture", plus the video for "Good Boys" directed by Jonas Åkerlund. CD 2 features a remix by Giorgio Moroder. The 12-inch vinyl features remixes by Giorgio Moroder, Arthur Baker, and Scissor Sisters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming (Blondie song)</span> 1979 single by Blondie

"Dreaming" is a song by American new wave band Blondie. Released in 1979, the song was the opening track from their fourth album Eat to the Beat. Written by guitarist Chris Stein and singer Debbie Harry and partially inspired by ABBA's "Dancing Queen," the song also features an active drum performance by drummer Clem Burke, who did not expect the final recording to feature his busy drum track.

<i>Once More into the Bleach</i> 1988 remix album by Debbie Harry and Blondie

Once More into the Bleach is a remix album released in December 1988 by the band Blondie and Debbie Harry. The 13-track compilation contains remixes of Blondie songs and material from Harry's solo career. It was the first compilation to include non-album singles "Rush Rush" and "Feel the Spin".

<i>Blonde and Beyond</i> 1993 compilation album by Blondie

Blonde and Beyond is a compilation album of recordings by Blondie released on Chrysalis Records in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush Rush (Debbie Harry song)</span> 1983 single performed by Debbie Harry

"Rush Rush" is a song written by Giorgio Moroder and performed by American singer Debbie Harry. It was released as the fourth and final single from the soundtrack to the 1983 film Scarface.

<i>Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie</i> 1998 greatest hits album by Blondie

Atomic: The Very Best of Blondie is a greatest hits album by American rock band Blondie, released on July 13, 1998, by Chrysalis Records, at the time when the band reunited and shortly before the beginning of their successful comeback tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debbie Harry</span> American singer-songwriter and actress (born 1945)

Deborah Ann Harry is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie. Four of her songs with the band reached No. 1 on the US charts between 1979 and 1981.

<i>American Gigolo</i> (soundtrack) 1980 soundtrack album by Giorgio Moroder

American Gigolo is the soundtrack album to the 1980 film of the same name, starring Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton. The music was composed and performed by Italian musician Giorgio Moroder and was released worldwide on the Polydor label. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart. All the cuts from the soundtrack also went to number two for five weeks on the disco/dance charts.

<i>Foxes</i> (soundtrack) 1980 soundtrack album by Various Artists

Foxes is the soundtrack to the 1980 film of the same name, starring Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, Sally Kellerman, Randy Quaid as well as The Runaways' lead singer Cherie Currie. The double-album was released on the disco label Casablanca Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I'm with You (Sparks song)</span> 1980 single by Sparks

"When I'm with You" is a song released by Los Angeles band Sparks. The song relies on disco and new wave as its two main genres with rock guitars audible throughout the song. The song did not chart on any Billboard charts, but was Sparks' only Top 40 single in Australia, where it peaked at number 14, whilst it peaked at number 1 in France for six weeks. It is not known who produced this song as Giorgio Moroder produced it alongside Harold Faltermeyer, with the latter claiming to have produced much of the album. Keith Forsey, best known as producer for Billy Idol in the 1980s and then resuming in 2006, and for writing several other works including "Don't You " and "Flashdance... What a Feeling" among others, played drums on the song. The B-side is an instrumental version of "When I'm with You".

References

  1. 1 2 Cathy Che (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.65
  2. ↑ Danyel Smith, ed. (1981). "Billboard 17 october 1981". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved June 28, 2013. "the sly, seductive dance rock hit "Call Me,""
  3. ↑ Porter, Dick; Needs, Kris (February 13, 2017). Blondie: Parallel Lives. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857127808 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Gene Stout (September 2, 2006). "Blondie plays the hits for fans young and old". Seattle Pi. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved June 29, 2013. "Blondie opened with "Call Me," (...) a new wave classic that appealed as much to graying baby boomers as it did to a pimply kid wearing a T-shirt from CBGB's, one of several New York clubs that helped make Blondie famous - or vice-versa - in the '70s."
  5. ↑ Glickman, Simon (December 1, 1998). "Blondie/Deborah Harry/Jimmy Destri". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 122.
  6. 1 2 Danyel Smith, ed. (1980). "Billboard 27 December 1980". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "Top Singles - Volume 33, No. 6, May 03 1980". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. February 16, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Key & BPM for Call Me by Blondie". Tunebat. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Giorgio, Moroder; Blondie (March 5, 2002). "Call Me". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  11. ↑ 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s, Episode 2, VH1
  12. ↑ Bockris, Victor (May 24, 1980). "Dinner with Blondie... and William Burroughs". New Music News. New York. Retrieved May 30, 2017. Harry: Giorgio's original idea was to call it "man machine" because the man was just like the sex machine. Stein: Debbie's lyrics are much more subtle than the ones he wrote. His thing was very direct like saying I am a man and I go out and I fuck all the girls. Debbie's lyrics are a lot more subtle and the movie in a way is not that blatant, it is sort of subtle. Harry: It was like teasing too because the thing about the movie was that he was always—'Call me! Call me if you want me to come to you.' And it was like these little commands had this macho quality through his being a male hooker, you know that kind of demanding business.
  13. ↑ Staff (2020). "Listen to Debbie Harry's incredible isolated vocal track on Blondie's hit 'Call Me'". Far Out. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  14. ↑ Tamara Warren (July 9, 2012). "Mustang Debbie: Blondie's Legendary Lead Singer Confesses a Love of Cars". Autoweek . 62 (14): 42–44. ISSN   0192-9674.
  15. 1 2 Schmidt, Torsten (2014). "Harold Faltermeyer: Red Bull Music Academy lecture". Red Bull Music. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  16. ↑ American Gigolo (credits). Polydor Records. 1980. PD-1-6259.
  17. ↑ "Debbie Harry - Call Me [HD]". Youtube.com. Muppet Songs. April 13, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary". Billboard . Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  19. ↑ Christgau, Robert (February 9, 1981). "The 1980 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". The Village Voice . Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  20. ↑ Zlatopolsky, Ashley (May 6, 2017). "Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard . Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  21. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (October 14, 2021). "Blondie's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian . Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  22. ↑ bulion. "Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". ARIA. Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  25. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava.
  26. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". IRMA. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2013. 1st result of the 2nd page when searching "Blondie"
  27. ↑ Danyel Smith, ed. (1980). "Billboard 30 August 1980". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  28. ↑ Danyel Smith, ed. (1980). "Billboard 18 July 1980". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Blondie - Call Me" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me". VG-lista. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  33. ↑ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (B)". Rock.co.za. John Samson. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Blondie – Call Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  37. 1 2 "Blondie awards at AllMusic". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  38. ↑ Steve Hawtin; et al. "Song title 63 - Call Me". Tsort.info. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Blondie – Call Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  40. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 432. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  41. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. January 5, 1981. Retrieved January 17, 2022– via Imgur.
  42. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1980". Ultratop. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Canadian 1980 Top 100 Singles". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Top Annuali Single 1980" . Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  45. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1980". hitparade.ch. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  48. ↑ "UK Charts". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Blondie – Call Me". Music Canada . Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Blondie – Call Me" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Blondie – Call Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  52. ↑ "British single certifications – Blondie – Call Me". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  53. ↑ "American single certifications – Blondie – Call Me". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  54. ↑ Stone, Doug. Chipmunk Punk at AllMusic . Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  55. ↑ "Gabry Ponte, R3HAB And Timmy Trumpet Team Up For 'Call Me' | UFO Network". UFO Network . January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  56. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Gabry Ponte x R3Hab x Timmy Trumpet - Call Me". hitparade.ch. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.