Blondie share previously unreleased track from 1978
As part of their 'Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982' boxset
Last updated 10th Aug 2022
Fans of Blondie will be thrilled to know the band is releasing a 'Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982' box set later this month, complete with a track-by-track commentary, an illustrated discography, and dozens of previously unpublished photos. The box set also includes 36 previously unreleased songs, one of which is the home recording of 'Mr Sightseer', which not only will be included in the box set but has been shared early.
The song was recorded in 1978 in the band's bedroom and was never released, but it has now been remastered by Michael Graves. According to a press release: 'At the time of recording in 1978, the addition of the TEAC TCA-43 four track reel-to-reel to (guitarist) Chris Stein and (singer) Debbie Harry’s home allowed the duo to chase every idea to its logistical or inconsequential conclusion'.
Blondie announced the song's release on their social media on 9th August, writing: 'It is time to reveal another hidden gem from our first-ever definitive collection, Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982.
'The unearthed home recording 'Mr. Sightseer" had previously never made it out of the band’s bedroom.'
Fans were very excited by the news and also had high praise for the song. One wrote: 'Amazing song! It sounds really beautiful, it should have been on an album ❤️', with another adding: 'This is a treasure😍'.
A third wrote: 'I love all these releases you're doing! ❤️'.
The song has been released digitally on streaming sites and will be available physically as the B-side to 'Moonlight Drive' in the box set which will come out on 26th August.
In a statement, Debbie Harry said of the song and the previous decision to not release it: 'The lyric is not good at all. The song’s not too bad. It’s just a little simplistic. It didn’t ever get really developed or finished.'
Listen to 'Mr Sightseer' by Blondie:
Take a look through Blondie's amazing career:
1974 - Debbie Harry and Chris Stein meet
Debbie Harry was in the female trio The Stilletos when she met fellow musician Chris Stein. The pair then formed genre-spanning band Blondie in 1974 and started playing in clubs in New York.
1977 - Blondie go on tour and release 'Plastic Letters'
After releasing their debut self-titled album in 1976, the group went on tour the following year. In 1997, they also released their next album 'Plastic Letters' which included hit song 'Denis'.
1978 - Blondie release 'Parallel Lines'
Blondie released their third album in 1978, and the album brought them huge commercial success. 'Parallel Lines' included hit tracks 'Heart of Glass', 'Hanging On The Telephone', and 'One Way or Another' — the latter which has now been certified Platinum.
1980 - 'Autoamerican' album
Following the release of their 'Eat to the Beat' album the year before, Blondie released 'Autoamercian' in 1980. The album included smash hit songs 'Tide Is High' and 'Rapture'. That year they also released their chart-topping track 'Call Me'.
Debbie Harry's acting career
As well as fronting Blondie, Debbie Harry has also acted in several films over the years. She has appeared in the films Union City (1980), Videodrome (1983), Hairspray (1988), Heavy (1995), Six Ways to Sunday (1997), and My Life Without Me (2003), as well as a few TV shows like Wiseguy and The Adverture of Pete and Pete.
1981 - Debbie Harry releases solo music
In her time as a solo artist, Debbie Harry has released numerous albums starting with 'Kookoo' in 1981. She has since brought out 'Rockbird' (1986), 'Def, Dumb and Blonde' (1989), 'Debravation' (1993), and 'Necessary Evil' (2007).
Some of her most popular songs include 'French Kissin (in the USA)', 'I Want That Man', and 'I Can See Clearly'.
1982 - Blondie take a break
In 1982, to fans' disappointment, the band broke up. By this point both Debbie Harry and keyboardist Jimmy Destri had released solo albums.
At this time guitarist Chris Stein was ill with a life-threatening auto-immune disease and Debbie Harry - his girlfriend at the time - took time out of her career to look after him. Thankfully after four years, Chris recovered from the illness.
1997 - Blondie reunite
Following a 16-year break, the group got back together and celebrated with a tour of Europe. They also released their album 'No Exit' in 1999 which included the hugely popular song 'Maria'.
2006 - Blondie are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2006, Blondie were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were awarded by Shirley Manson of 90s rock band Garbage.
2014 - 'Ghosts of Download' album
In 2014, the band released their 10th studio album 'Ghosts of Download' which was made up of re-recorded versions of their greatest hits.
Since then they have released one more studio album, 'Pollinator', which came out in 2017 and included hit track 'Fun'.
2019 - Debbie Harry releases memoir Face It
Debbie Harry wrote a memoir called Face It which came out in 2019. It details her story from Blondie's early days to global success.
Speaking about the book, she said: "I have led a very full life. I know there will be questions asked. I didn't want to write it – but I did."
2022 - 'Against The Odds' tour
Blondie toured the UK in April and May 2022, as part of their 'Against The Odds' tour which also took them across The US and Europe.
Unfortunatley before the tour started, long-time member Chris Stein announced that he would not be joining the tour due to a heart condition. Glen Matlock instead joined the group along with suppport act Johnny Marr.
2022: 'Against The Odds' box set
Blondie announced their first ever box set called 'Blondie: Against The Odds'. It was released on 26th August 2022 and features track by track commentary, an illustrated discography, and dozens of previously unpublished photos.
2022: An Evening With Debbie Harry and Chris Stein In Conversation gets postponed
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein were due to embark on their An Evening With Debbie Harry and Chris Stein In Conversation shows in November 2022, but postponed the dates to May 2023.
The shows will take place in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, where the pair will talk about their amazing lives, careers and working together.
2022: Chris Stein reveals Blondie are working on a new album
Chris Stein has spoken about a new Blondie album which is in the works. Although a release date hasn't been announced, he did reveal that Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock is collaborating on the record, having joined the band on their recent tour.
2023: Blondie perform at Glastonbury
Blondie performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023.
2024: Blondie joins Sting as he headlines Belsonic
17-time Grammy Award winning artist, Sting performed a special My Songs concert in Belfast at Belsonic, Ormeau Park on 19th June 2024 — sharing the bill with Special Guest Blondie.
The concert delved into Sting's timeless hits like 'Fields of Gold', 'Roxanne', 'Every Breath You Take', 'Message in a Bottle', among a myriad of other iconic songs, and marked the continuation of his world-spanning tour, which captivated audiences across the US, Europe, Asia, the UAE and Australia.
With Blondie by his side, it was labelled 'an electrifying rock ensemble'.
As well as celebrating their incredible discography, the band is still on their 'Against The Odds' tour, playing shows across the US having performed in the UK in April and May.
You can hear songs by Blondie on Greatest Hits Radio.
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