One Way or Another - Blondie (1978) 4/9/21

Today's "Great Song of the '70s" was critically acclaimed by Pitchfork Magazine as "exuberant new wave." Others called it a "punk classic."

Nigel Harrison, who wrote the music for Blondie's 1978 hit "One Way or Another" called it a "psychedelic Ventures-like futuristic surf-rock song gone wrong."

Debbie Harry, who co-wrote the lyrics, said the song was a humorous take on a not-so-humorous true story about a former boyfriend who relentlessly stalked her after a breakup. So much so, she had to move out-of-state to escape. Yikes!

Overall, the song was so different from what was normally heard on the radio, it took some getting used to. "One Way or Another" peaked at just #24 on Billboard's Hot 100, but was HUGE on the Punk and New Wave scene.

In the decades since its release, the song has been recognized as a trailblazing transition from the music of the '70s to the music of the '80s. Rolling Stone magazine ranks it at #298 on its list of the "Top 500 Songs of All Time."

"One Way or Another" by Blondie: a groundbreaking "Great Song of 1979":