Featured Image Credit: Donaldson Collection / Contributor / via Getty
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Social Media, Explained
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Social Media, Explained
Blondie is arguably one of the biggest bands from the American new wave genre dating way back to the mid-1970s.
Now, Blondie was founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The pair, who were also longtime romantic partners, recruited drummer Clem Burke, bassist Gary Valentine, and keyboardist Jimmy Destri with later members including bassist Nigel Harrison and guitarist Frank Infante.
Clearly standing the test of time, the US punk band are responsible for bangers we still love to this day including 'The Tide Is High', 'Heart of Glass', 'Maria', 'Call Me' and 'Sunday Girl'.
Oh yeah, and we couldn't forget about their most-famous track, 'One Way Or Another' which graced our ears in 1978.
Advert
However, while many fans may know the lyrics off by heart now, it's clear not as many know about the disturbing true story behind the song itself.
Harry herself revealed the lyrics were 'inspired in part by a New Jersey stalker of mine', as per the liner notes of the Blondie box set Blondie: Against The Odds 1974-1982.
The stalker incident ended up forcing Harry, who originally hailed from New Jersey, to move from her hometown to New York City.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly back in 2011, Harry, who is now 80, opened up about the man who had some very alarming intentions.
"I was actually stalked by a nut job, so it came out of a not-so-friendly personal event," the singer recalled. "But I tried to inject a little bit of levity into it to make it more lighthearted.
"I think in a way that’s a normal kind of survival mechanism. You know, just shake it off, say one way or another, and get on with your life."
She added: "Everyone can relate to that and I think that’s the beauty of it."
For fans who need a reminder of the lyrics, they go: "I will drive past your house / And if the lights are all down / I’ll see who’s around / And if the lights are all out /I’ll follow your bus downtown / See who’s hanging out."
Then there's the chorus which goes: "One way, or another, I’m wanna get ya / I’ll get ya, I’ll get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya (where I can see it all, find out who ya call)."
Did you know that?
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300, available 9.30am to 8pm Monday and Wednesday, and 9.30am to 4pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.