Rockbird

Last updated
Rockbird
Deborah Harry - Rockbird.png
Studio album by
Debbie Harry
ReleasedNovember 15, 1986
Recorded1986
Studio
Genre
Length39:18
Label Geffen
Producer Seth Justman
Debbie Harry chronology
KooKoo
(1981)		Rockbird
(1986)		 Once More into the Bleach
(1988)
Singles from Rockbird
  1. "French Kissin' in the USA"
    Released: November 1986
  2. "Free to Fall"
    Released: February 1987 [1]
  3. "In Love with Love"
    Released: April 1987 [2]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [3]
Robert Christgau B [4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Smash Hits Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]

Rockbird is the second solo studio album by American singer Debbie Harry. [9] It was released in November 1986 by Geffen Records in the United States and Chrysalis Records in the United Kingdom.

Contents

Background

Rockbird was released four years after the split of Blondie in 1982. Harry had largely put her music career on hold during the mid-1980s in order to look after Blondie guitarist and boyfriend Chris Stein, who had been diagnosed with a serious illness. The album was produced by Seth Justman, a key member of the J. Geils Band. Released in November 1986, there were four variations of the album artwork with the lettering in either green, orange, pink and yellow (with slight variations due to printing techniques).

A stylized version of the album's cover photo appears on the cover of select editions of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die .

Critical reception

Trouser Press wrote that the album "paves a pop path Harry can navigate, but the material is weak." [10] The Los Angeles Times wrote that "the songs--which tend to be about ne’er-do-well boyfriends and romantic escapades--are tethered to jacked-up rhythms that don’t go down so well on the dance floor." [11] Chris Heath of Smash Hits magazine was more positive, giving the album 7 out of 10 and stating "Nothing else is quite as brilliant as the current single "French Kissin' In The USA", but there's plenty of the aggressive sprightly pop songs that Blondie used to do so well, the odd slightly swoonsome ballad, and a couple of throwaway disco songs. How very nice it is to have her back". [12]

Commercial performance

Rockbird peaked at number 31 on the UK Albums Chart, and remained in the charts for 11 weeks. It was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in January 1987 for shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. In the United States, the album peaked at number 97 on the Billboard 200.

Three singles were released from the album, "French Kissin' in the USA", which reached #8 in the UK, and is Harry's only solo top-10 single in that country, as well as "In Love with Love" and "Free to Fall", which reached #45 and #46, respectively. "French Kissin'" also reached #57 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and #3 in Australia.

Track listing

Side A:

  1. "I Want You" (Deborah Harry, Toni C.) – 4:28
  2. "French Kissin' in the USA" (Chuck Lorre) – 5:14
  3. "Buckle Up" (Deborah Harry, Seth Justman) – 3:46
  4. "In Love with Love" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) – 4:34

Side B:

  1. "You Got Me in Trouble" (Deborah Harry, Seth Justman) – 4:18
  2. "Free to Fall" (Deborah Harry, Seth Justman) – 5:31
  3. "Rockbird" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) – 3:09
  4. "Secret Life" (Deborah Harry, Chris Stein) – 3:46
  5. "Beyond the Limit" (Deborah Harry, Nile Rodgers) – 4:37

Personnel

Musicians

Production and artwork

Charts

Chart (1986–1987)Peak
position
Australian (Kent Music Report) [13] 18
European Albums ( Music & Media ) [14] 78
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [15] 40
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [16] 22
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [17] 30
UK Albums (OCC) [18] 31
US Billboard 200 [19] 97

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [20] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

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

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

<i>Showtime</i> (The J. Geils Band album) 1982 live album by The J. Geils Band

Showtime! is the third and final live album by American rock band The J. Geils Band during their career. It was recorded at the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, Michigan on September 4, 1982. While some critics consider it to be weaker than the group's two earlier live albums "Live" Full House (1972) and Blow Your Face Out (1976), this release captures the band at its commercial peak. The tracks are drawn primarily from the four studio albums released since Blow Your Face Out:Monkey Island (1977); Sanctuary (1978); Love Stinks (1980); and Freeze Frame (1981). This was the last release by the band before frontman Peter Wolf's departure in 1983.

<i>Youre Gettin Even While Im Gettin Odd</i> 1984 studio album by the J. Geils Band

You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd is the eleventh and final studio album by American rock band the J. Geils Band and the only one recorded without singer Peter Wolf. The band's keyboardist Seth Justman produced the album, did all the song and horn arrangements, wrote all the songs with lyrical help from Paul Justman, and provided the majority of the album's lead vocals, with drummer Stephen Jo Bladd singing lead on three tracks. Compared to the band's earlier works, which leaned towards a more live rock band sound, You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd emphasizes overdubbing and production. The album was released on October 5, 1984, by EMI Records.

<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>KooKoo</i> 1981 studio album by Debbie Harry

KooKoo is the debut solo album by American singer Debbie Harry, released on July 27, 1981, by Chrysalis Records. Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, the album was recorded whilst Harry took a break from her band Blondie. It was a moderate commercial success, reaching number 25 on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Love with Love</span> 1987 single by Debbie Harry

"In Love with Love" is a 1987 song recorded by the American singer Debbie Harry. It was taken from her second solo album Rockbird and released as the third single in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Fall</span> 1987 single by Debbie Harry

"Free to Fall" is a song by American singer Debbie Harry from her second solo studio album, Rockbird (1986). It was released as the second single in the United States and the United Kingdom. Suffering from lack of record company promotion, the single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 or any other significant U.S. chart, and peaked at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart. The B-side to the single, "Feel the Spin", was a previous U.S. dance hit from the soundtrack to the film Krush Groove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backfired</span> 1981 single by Debbie Harry

"Backfired" is the debut solo single from American singer and Blondie vocalist Debbie Harry. Released in 1981, it was taken from her debut solo studio album, KooKoo.

<i>Def, Dumb & Blonde</i> 1989 studio album by Deborah Harry

Def, Dumb & Blonde is the third solo studio album by the American singer Deborah Harry. Released in October 1989 on Sire Records in the US and Chrysalis Records in the UK, the album saw Harry reverting from "Debbie" to "Deborah" as her professional name. Harry worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and Mike Chapman who had previously produced the last four Blondie albums. "I wanted to do certain things that were reminiscent of Blondie," she stated.

<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>Debravation</i> 1993 studio album by Deborah Harry

Debravation is the fourth solo album by American singer Deborah Harry, released in July 19, 1993. It was the final album Harry made whilst signed to the Chrysalis label, thus ending a successful partnership that began with her time as a member of Blondie and had endured for over 15 years. The album reached No. 24 in the UK Albums Chart.

<i>The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie</i> 1991 greatest hits album by Deborah Harry and Blondie

The Complete Picture: The Very Best of Deborah Harry and Blondie is a greatest hits album released on March 4, 1991, by Chrysalis Records. It contained all of Blondie's highest-charting singles such as "Heart of Glass", "Sunday Girl", "The Tide Is High", "Atomic", and "Call Me", as well as some of Deborah Harry's solo singles, including the UK top-10 single "French Kissin' in the USA".

<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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brite Side</span> 1989 single by Deborah Harry

Brite Side is a 1989 song by the American singer-songwriter Deborah Harry, taken from her third solo album, Def, Dumb & Blonde. The single was only released in the UK, where it peaked at #59.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strike Me Pink</span> 1993 single by Deborah Harry

"Strike Me Pink" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Harry, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth solo album, Debravation (1993). The song was written by Harry, Anne Dudley and Jonathan Bernstein, and produced by Dudley.

<i>Most of All: The Best of Deborah Harry</i> 1999 greatest hits album by Deborah Harry

Most of All: The Best of Deborah Harry is a compilation album of recordings by Deborah Harry, released by Chrysalis Records in 1999.

<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>Panic of Girls</i> 2011 studio album by Blondie

Panic of Girls is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Blondie. It was the band's first album of new material in nearly 8 years, since 2003's The Curse of Blondie. The album was first released digitally on May 30, 2011, followed by physical releases in various formats later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French Kissin (song)</span> 1986 single by Debbie Harry

"French Kissin" is a song by American singer Debbie Harry from her second solo studio album, Rockbird (1986). It is a cover version of the 1985 song originally recorded by Carol Chapman, written by Chuck Lorre before he started creating sitcoms. Harry's version was released on November 3, 1986, as the lead single from Rockbird and became a top-10 hit in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

<i>Pollinator</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Blondie

Pollinator is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band Blondie, released on May 5, 2017 by BMG Rights Management.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Robin (February 14, 1987). "Index". Record Mirror . p. 3. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. ↑ "Debbie Harry singles".
  3. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. Rockbird at AllMusic
  4. ↑ "Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 332". www.robertchristgau.com.
  5. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 161.
  6. ↑ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 122.
  7. ↑ The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. 2004. p. 368.
  8. ↑ "Heath, Chris (19 November 1986). "Album Reviews". Smash Hits. EMAP Metro. 8 (24): 92.
  9. ↑ Harrington, Richard (November 30, 1986). "Debbie Harry, On Beyond Blondie" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  10. ↑ "Debbie Harry". Trouser Press. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "FALL ALBUM ROUNDUP : DEBBIE HARRY: CANDY-BOX POP". Los Angeles Times. November 23, 1986.
  12. ↑ Heath, Chris (19 November 1986). Smash Hits. p. 92.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 134. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  14. ↑ "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 3, no. 49. December 13, 1986. p. 21. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  15. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  16. ↑ "Charts.nz – Debbie Harry – Rockbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Debbie Harry – Rockbird". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Debbie Harry Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  20. ↑ "British album certifications – Debbie Harry – Rockbird". British Phonographic Industry. January 12, 1987. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
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.