November 5, 2024

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Song of the day for December 10, 2023

"Maria", a song by Blondie is often overlooked but it achieved significant success, reaching number one in the UK, Greece, and Spain, and was a top-20 hit across Europe and in New Zealand. Written by Blondie's keyboardist, Jimmy Destri, and produced by Craig Leon, it was Blondie's first new release after 17 years in 1999. The song was later included in Blondie's 40th-anniversary compilation album in 2014.

Today’s song is by Blondie. The song is called Maria. I chose this song because as good as this song is, it is usually forgotten by some of Blondies other big hits.

The song was written by Blondie keyboardist Jimmy Destri and produced by Craig Leon. Taken from their seventh album, No Exit (1999), it was Blondie’s first new release since 1982. “Maria”, issued as a single in Europe on January 11, 1999, reached number one in the United Kingdom; Blondie’s sixth UK chart-topper. The song also topped the charts of Greece and Spain, becoming a top-20 hit across Europe and in New Zealand.

The song was included on the band’s 2014 compilation album, Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux. The compilation was part of a two-disc set titled Blondie 4(0) Ever, which includes Ghosts of Download, their tenth studio album, and marked the 40th anniversary of the band’s formation.

The reason I picked a song by Blondie is because in 1973, the famed music club, CBGB, opened in Manhattan’s East Village. The venue would soon become ground zero for the emerging punk and new wave scenes – hosting some of the earliest shows by the Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, Blondie, and the Talking Heads. Even though this is a newer song by Blondie, and it is unlikely she ever played this song at CBGB, I chose it because it is still a good song and I am sure she would have played this song there if it was released earlier in her career.

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