Summary
"X Offender" is the debut single by American band Blondie. Written by Gary Valentine and Debbie Harry for the band's self-titled debut album, Blondie, the song was released as the album's lead single on Private Stock in June 1976.
| "X Offender" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Blondie | ||||
| from the album Blondie | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | June 17, 1976 | |||
| Recorded | 1976 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | Private Stock | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Gary Valentine Deborah Harry | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Gottehrer, Craig Leon | |||
| Blondie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "X Offender" on YouTube | ||||
Song information edit
The title of the song was originally "Sex Offender". Bassist Gary Valentine originally wrote the song about an 18-year-old boy being arrested for having sex with his younger girlfriend. Debbie Harry changed the lyrics so that the song was about a prostitute being attracted to the police officer that had arrested her. The track was co-produced by Richard Gottehrer who had worked with 1960s girl group The Angels, and the song is reminiscent of that era in its style.[1]
Private Stock insisted that the name of the single be changed to "X Offender" because they were nervous about the original title. It was released in mid-1976 with the B-side being "In the Sun". While the song did not chart, Chrysalis heard it along with the Blondie album and signed the band. "X Offender" later served as the B-side to "Rip Her to Shreds". Due to limited copies of the single being released and the subsequent popularity of the band, a copy of the original UK Private Stock single "X Offender"/"In the Sun" is a sought-after rarity with copies selling for £50 in collectors' markets since the mixes of both songs on the single are different from those on the Blondie album. These mixes appear as bonus tracks on EMI/Capitol Records' 2001 reissue of the album. No master tapes of the Private Stock versions have been kept in the archives; consequently, these bonus tracks are direct transfers from vinyl.
Reception edit
Cash Box said that it "is really a good tune, with a driving beat that builds to a fine point of tension," saying that Blondie reminds them of The Tubes.[2]
Music video edit
Music videos were produced for both "X Offender" and "In the Sun".[3]
Track listing edit
- US 7" (PS-45.097)
- "X Offender" (single version) (Gary Valentine, Deborah Harry) – 3:15
- "In the Sun" (single version) (Stein) – 2:38
- There were three pressings of this single that can only be distinguished by careful examination of the inscriptions in the vinyl. First pressing was 7 June 1976; it contains an additional number (pvt 1231 mbw). The third pressing is labeled PVT 1231-M.[4]
- US 7" Promo (PS-45.097)
- X Offender (Stereo Version)
- X Offender (Mono Version)
- Labeled as a promo PVT 1351 BW. Contains stereo and mono versions on opposite sides.[5]
- UK 7" (PVT 90)[6]
- "X Offender" (Harry, Valentine) – 3:14
- "In the Sun" (Stein) – 2:30
- X Offender was also released in the UK on the B-Side of the single In the Flesh (PVT 105) [7]
Notes edit
- ^ "The Story of Blondie's First Single, 'X Offender'".
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 24, 1976. p. 28. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.41
- ^ Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.222
- ^ Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.223
- ^ Discogs, Blondie - X Offender PVT 90, UK release page 4450474
- ^ Discogs, Blondie - In The Flesh PVT 105, UK release page 3077324
References edit
- allmusic.com article on Blondie
- Blondie discography
- Rough Guides, The Rough Guide to Cult Pop: The Songs - The Artists - The Genres - The Dubious Fashions Rough Guides 2003 ISBN 1-84353-229-8