Blondie's "Parallel Lines" as an American historical artifact

Blondie's Parallel Lines is now creeping up on 50 years old, and it's never really faded away for US audiences, mostly due to the fact that the songs are bangers, always effective, and don't really seem to be the product of trendiness, even in the case of "Heart of Glass." So it's no mystery why it's hung around for listeners – it's a great record.

Almost 50 years down the road, is it possible to look at this album not just as Blondie's third record but as one that had a huge influence on future generations of American musicians? And if so, who? Who's been carrying the torch for this album since its 1978 release, and which American artists seem to be the most influenced by it?

Because I am an American, I must limit the scope of my question to American musicians and popular culture. No offense to any fans from other countries.

 

I think this album opened the floodgates for all the women who rocked in the '80s (Pat Benatar, Pretenders, Joan Jett, etc.). It showed radio and record companies that female singers didn't have to be sweet and breezy most of the time like Linda and Stevie (no offense).

 

But it has radiated.



Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

It's influence was apparent straightaway on the huge Go-Go's Beauty and the Beat album. Produced by Richard Gottehrer, who had produced Blondie pre-Parallel Lines.

 

It’s a popular hit album with 2 big huge hits which I agree are now treasured American Pop Culture Classics. But very much like several other big hit songs from various artists and albums from the same era of the late ‘70’s & early’80’s.

The actual album is irrelevant. It’s the big 2 hit songs that people remember & cherish to this day. Blondies following album Eat To The Beat also had a big hit. As did some of the others.

You will hear those hit songs sung in Karaoke bars all across North America. Most folks nowdays wouldn’t know which tune was from which album. The actual Parallel Lines album may have possibly been influential insofar as the whole black & white image projection which was big back then in videos even before MTV kicked off. The Knack for example. One could say Get The Knack was also an American Historical Artifact.

The Cars were sensational pop music creators above & beyond Blondie.

Joan Jett’s “ I Love Rock & Roll” is also heads & tails way above the Blondie music. Far more popular & iconic.

Ultimately Parallel Lines is just another great album. Platinum selling record. Along with a few other Blondie albums.

 

Well there was a little band named HEART whose first album came out in 1976 & had 2 big hits. Magic Man & Crazy On You. Later on Barracuda. Which pretty much kicks ass over anything Blondie or Pat Benatar ever did.

 

It's an excellent album. And it set up Blondie's moment in the zeitgeist. But it's not Rumors, i.e., an album that still sells big time to younger and younger audiences.

Heart of Glass remains a recurrent on radio and on streaming services. One Way or Another is still played, as well. But I doubt most 20-year-olds could name (or recognize) another song on the album.

 

Frampton was bigger.

 

……well if you were a teenager in America it really did frame the summer of 1979 nicely. At least where I grew up.

 

Not even the Buddy Holly song?

Just kidding. Great band and great album but maybe still a cult band in some sense?

 

Great record. I’m an Eat to the Beat fan, myself.

 

Been listening to it since it was released. My original vinyl is still in great shape after all these years. One of my favourite albums ever. They were huge in the UK at the time- seemed to be on Top Of The Pops most weeks.

 

Artefact, I guess, historical, sure, but everything is once a day, a week, a month, etc., passes. A low bar to pass, it’s Blondie, I guess we can blame them for pop punk. I think the album and the band had far more impact in the UK and Europe like Television, Velvets, Lou, etc., The album appears to have sold a little more in the UK as in the US, which means it impacted a greater % of the population in the UK.

 

An historic album indeed

 

Maybe… Joan Jett could probably claim the same as an influence, breaking barriers, etc., by ‘78 they would release their fourth album. Chrissie Hynde was already kicking around the UK punk scene, but maybe Blondie’s UK success had some impact. Pat Benatar seemed to be following the same NYC showbiz trajectory( musicals, pop, jingles, etc.,) as Ellen Foley, Karla DeVito, etc., which may or may not have mattered what Blondie did. By ‘78 Patti Smith would release her third album also.

 

Other than the mofi (1981) this album doesn’t seem to have any other American reissue, seems odd….

 

for a few minutes maybe, but he has hardly had the kind of influence Blondie have had

 

It was reissued 2001 with a few bonus tracks - that's the version I have. I had never gotten around to buying it before that because so many songs from it were on the "Best of" and "Blonde & Beyond" compilations.

Blondie – Parallel Lines (2001, CD) - Discogs

 

The DCC release of Parallel Lines is sublime.

 

You make strong statements, and why need for a contest between artists?

The Cars are above and beyond Blondie? Both bands broke new ground and sold tons of records. Both the Cars and Blondie influenced many artists that followed.

“ I Love Rock n Roll” by Joan Jett is heads and tails above “ Blondie music”?

Jett didnt write the song, just like her other “ hits” ( Crimson and Clover).

Unlike Blondie ( and The Cars) , Jett broke no new ground.

 

“Influence” is a hazy thing. What is it? How do you prove it? Frampton is a pretty elegant soloist, guitarists know it. How his career went and how Comes Alive Was promoted has/had impact: what to do, what not to do… that’s gotta be influence?

 

Mike Chapman is as responsible as anyone (perhaps more so) for the album.

There's a documentary about the making of 'Parallel Lines' which is quite good.

 

I meant vinyl

 

The MoFi was early in the album’s life, too; which was pretty adventurous for MoFi. It looks like the LP had roughly 30/31 pressing runs which is pretty generous coming up right against the cd release in ‘85. It sold 1.5 million copies in the US so it is readily available in the $8-15 range for the vinyl. They get very little FM airplay unlike say TomPetty so demand seemed to drop quick, especially once the band broke up.

 

A great album that's only gotten better over time for me. And for some critics too: Christgau originally gave it an A-, but in 2020 he named it one of his 50 all-time favorite albums.