"X Offender" is the debut single by

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band Blondie. Written by Gary Valentine and

Debbie Harry Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble, July 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie (band), Blondie. Four of her songs with the band reached on the US charts between 1979 and 1 ...

for the band's self-titled debut album, '' Blondie'', the song was released as the album's

lead single A lead single (or first single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. A similar term, "debut ...

on Private Stock in June 1976.

Song information

The title of the song was originally "Sex Offender". Bassist Gary Valentine originally wrote the song about an 18-year-old boy being arrested for having sex with his younger girlfriend. Debbie Harry changed the lyrics so that the song was about a prostitute being attracted to the police officer that had arrested her. The track was co-produced by

Richard Gottehrer Richard Gottehrer (born June 12, 1940) is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive. His career began as a Brill Building songwriter in the 1960s. His first number one record as a songwriter and producer was " My Boyfr ...

who had worked with 1960s girl group The Angels, and the song is reminiscent of that era in its style. Private Stock insisted that the name of the single be changed to "X Offender" because they were nervous about the original title. It was released in mid-1976 with the B-side being "In the Sun". While the song did not chart,

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heard it along with the ''Blondie'' album and signed the band. "X Offender" later served as the B-side to " Rip Her to Shreds". Due to limited copies of the single being released and the subsequent popularity of the band, a copy of the original UK Private Stock single "X Offender"/"In the Sun" is a sought-after rarity with copies selling for £50 in collectors' markets since the mixes of both songs on the single are different from those on the '' Blondie'' album. These mixes appear as bonus tracks on

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' 2001 reissue of the album. No master tapes of the Private Stock versions have been kept in the archives; consequently, these bonus tracks are direct transfers from vinyl.

Reception

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'' said that it "is really a good tune, with a driving beat that builds to a fine point of tension," saying that Blondie reminds them of

The Tubes The Tubes are a San Francisco-based rock band. Their self-titled 1975 debut album included the single " White Punks on Dope", while their 1983 single " She's a Beauty" was a top-10 U.S. hit and its music video was frequently played in the ear ...

Music video

Music videos were produced for both "X Offender" and "In the Sun".

Track listing

;US 7" (PS-45.097) #"X Offender" (single version) ( Gary Valentine,

Deborah Harry Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble, July 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Blondie. Four of her songs with the band reached on the US charts between 1979 and 1981. Born in M ...

) – 3:15 #"In the Sun" (single version) (Stein) – 2:38 * There were three pressings of this single that can only be distinguished by careful examination of the inscriptions in the vinyl. First pressing was 7 June 1976; it contains an additional number (pvt 1231 mbw). The third pressing is labeled PVT 1231-M. ;US 7" Promo (PS-45.097) # X Offender (Stereo Version) # X Offender (Mono Version) * Labeled as a promo PVT 1351 BW. Contains stereo and mono versions on opposite sides. ;UK 7" (PVT 90) #"X Offender" (Harry, Valentine) – 3:14 #"In the Sun" (Stein) – 2:30 * X Offender was also released in the UK on the B-Side of the single In the Flesh (PVT 105) Discogs, Blondie - In The Flesh PVT 105, UK release page 3077324

Notes

References

* allmusic.com article on ''Blondie''
Blondie discography
* Rough Guides, ''The Rough Guide to Cult Pop: The Songs - The Artists - The Genres - The Dubious Fashions'' Rough Guides 2003 {{Authority control Blondie (band) songs 1976 debut singles Songs written by Debbie Harry Songs written by Gary Lachman 1976 songs Song recordings produced by Richard Gottehrer Private Stock Records singles Songs about prostitutes Song recordings produced by Craig Leon