Call Me - Blondie | Released: February 1980 | Album: American Gigolo Soundtrack | number 1 Billboard Hot 100 — 6 weeks | number 1 UK | number 1 Canada | Billboard's number 1 single of 1980 | Gold — 1+ million copies sold The song about a male prostitute in Los Angeles. The new wave anthem that defined a decade. The song that Debbie Harry wrote in just a few hours. THE ORIGIN: "Call Me" was released in February 1980 as the theme song for the film "American Gigolo," starring Richard Gere. It was produced and co-written by legendary Italian producer Giorgio Moroder. Moroder originally asked Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac to perform the song, but she was prevented by a contract. Moroder turned to Debbie Harry, who wrote the lyrics in just a few hours. The song was recorded at New York City in August 1979. THE MEANING: The lyrics were written from the perspective of the main character in the film, a male prostitute. Harry said the lyrics were inspired by her visual impressions from watching the film and that "When I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene, driving on the coast of California." The bridge includes Harry singing "Call me" in Italian ("Amore, chiamami") and French ("Appelle-moi, mon chéri"). THE NUMBERS: · Released: February 1980 · number 1 Billboard Hot 100 — 6 consecutive weeks · number 1 UK Singles Chart · number 1 Canada · Billboard's number 1 single of 1980 · Gold — 1+ million copies sold · number 57 on Billboard's All Time Top 100 · number 283 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time THE RECORDING: The song is played in the key of D minor with a tempo of 143 beats per minute. The band recorded their parts at a New York studio, but Moroder later replaced them with session musicians in Los Angeles, including keyboardist Harold Faltermeyer, for the final version. THE LEGACY: The song was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. A Spanish-language version, titled "Llámame," was released for Latin American markets. The song remains one of Blondie's most beloved and enduring hits. THE IMAGE: Debbie Harry center stage, in a sleek black dress, her platinum blonde hair catching the stage lights. The band silhouetted behind her. A projection screen displays scenes from "American Gigolo." This is the sound of the New Wave anthem that defined a decade. SHOUTOUT TO BLONDIE, DEBBIE HARRY, AND GIORGIO MORODER: Thank you for the song about a male prostitute in Los Angeles. Thank you for the anthem that defined a decade. Thank you for "Call Me." Follow @CommonChordUSA for the moments when music becomes memory. Explore the gear behind the sound → link in bio Search This: call me blondie, blondie call me 1980, call me american gigolo, call me number 1 1980, debbie harry call me #CallMe #Blondie #DebbieHarry #Number1 #CommonChordUSA Call Me - Blondie (Call Me) - @commonchordusa