Blondie - Dreaming

Blondie effortlessly glided through punk, new wave, pop, disco, ska, and even rap, producing a purple patch of superlative hit singles in the late 1970s,  the seminal  "Parallel Lines" album spawning two UK number 1 singles. 

A hard record to follow, but the "Dreaming", the first single from the next album is a good as anything they or anyone produced in that era.

Adhering to their normal work pattern, guitarist Christ Stein composed the melody, and on this occasion supplied partner / lead singer Debbie Harry a clue with the phrase "dreaming is free". She embraced the idea by penning a great mediation on reality and dreams.

Opening with a great couplet (“When I saw you in the restaurant / You could tell I was no debutante”), she quickly describes being accosted for date. However Harry is no pushover and prefers to live in her dreams with her ideal man ("I never met him, I'll never forget him").

There is a poignancy in her mundane life, so she reverts to an pleasurable pastime ("Dream dream, filling up an idle hour"). From the illusion of disposable pop, she is able to address mature subjects. 

Curiously I also read an analysis that successfully overlays the lyrics to the plot of the classic "Brief Encounter" film, but found no confirmation from Harry.

Recorded live in the studio, the unrelenting pace is defined by Clem Burkes's ferocious drumming. An integral part of the Blondie sound, he is even more pronounced here with a career peak. Harry's vocals are urgent and breathless, with a nice 1960s homage by including backing vocals from the famed songwriter Ellie Greenwich.

"Dreaming" continued their success in UK, peaking at number 2, another step in their uninterrupted procession of greatness. Even after reforming, they hit number 1 again with the peerless "Maria". A classy and appealing artist producing timeless radio classics.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU3-lS_Gryk

Hear Next -  " Parallel Lines" is their most famous album, but newcomers may prefer the hit-laden "Greatest Hits" compilation.

** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats - https://tinyurl.com/y43mbr2b