The Tide Is High

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "The Tide Is High" by Blondie from their 1980 album Autoamerican. This reggae-infused track, a cover of The Paragons' 1967 rocksteady hit, was discovered by Debbie Harry on a compilation tape while in London, sparking her and Chris Stein’s love for the song’s infectious vibe. According to 1000 UK #1 Hits, Harry said, "Chris and I both fell in love with the song and decided it was too good to resist." The band’s version, featuring a Caribbean reggae strut with a Latin American twist, became a global smash, hitting number one in the US and UK. Chris Stein, in a 2008 Village Voice interview, confidently predicted its success, noting, “That’s the only song [from Autoamerican] I was sure was going to be a hit beforehand – not least because it said ‘number one’ in the chorus!”

The recording of "The Tide Is High" had its own unique flavor, with Blondie aiming for an authentic, DIY feel. Author Josh Kun, in The Tide Was Always High, highlights how the band incorporated eight tracks of drumsticks tapping on a bench and mariachi rhythms popular in East Los Angeles to give the song its distinctive sound. Even John Lennon was a fan—his son Sean told Rolling Stone in 2006 that it was the one modern song his father played constantly, picturing him dancing in denim shorts with young Sean at his feet. The song’s cultural impact endures, appearing in season 6 of Better Call Saul in 2022, as noted on Last.fm. Blondie’s choice to cover this track was partly political, with Stein expressing a desire to “resolve racial tensions by bringing different audiences together,” as quoted in a 2020 Biography.com article.

Blondie began in New York City in 1974, founded by vocalist Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. Emerging from the gritty punk scene of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, the band blended punk, new wave, and pop with influences from disco, reggae, and early hip-hop. Harry, born in Miami in 1945 and adopted at three months old, moved to New York in the late 1960s, immersing herself in the city’s vibrant art and music scene. She worked as a waitress, go-go dancer, and Playboy Bunny before joining the folk-rock group The Wind in the Willows and later the Stilettos, where she met Stein. Stein, a School of Visual Arts graduate, brought a sharp musical vision, and together with drummer Clem Burke, bassist Gary Valentine, and keyboardist Jimmy Destri, they formed Blondie, named after catcalls Harry received from truck drivers. Their self-titled debut in 1976 set the stage for their breakthrough with 1978’s Parallel Lines, featuring hits like “Heart of Glass.”

Blondie’s eclectic style and Harry’s charismatic, sexually charged persona made them pioneers, with Autoamerican showcasing their genre-bending prowess. Despite disbanding in 1982 after Stein’s illness, they reunited in 1998, releasing new music and touring extensively. Stay connected with Blondie on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join the vibrant Blondie Fan Club on Facebook or visit fan sites like Blondie’s official fan club page to dive deeper into the band’s legacy. Keep the Zoo Freak vibes high and keep spinning those records!