Maria

by

Blondie

Album: No Exit     Released: 1999

US Chart: 82      UK Chart: 1

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This was written by Jimmy Destri, who when asked what this song was about replied: "Desire. Teenage desire because I have a teenage daughter and she's pretty beautiful and I watch all these boys gawk at her. I put myself in their shoes thinking about what I used to do with girls back then. I wasn't a very forward guy at all, I was like from afar and I'd go home and write a poem about her - I was really a sad little bastard. It sounds cute but you don't get any attention that way. So 'Maria' is about desire and the whole idea of using the Ave Maria thing is a way of saying she's on a pedestal, she's almost holy. It's not a religious thing at all, I don't believe in religion really." (from the official Blondie website - thanks, Simon - welling, England)

This was Blondie's comeback song. The band re-formed in 1998 for a tour and album after breaking up in 1982. The new version of the band was made up of original members Chris Stein (guitar) and Deborah Harry (vocals) as well as former members Jimmy Destri (keyboards) and Clem Burke (drums) along with 2 new members.

The band was gone for about a generation, which meant there were a lot of new fans who were just discovering Blonde and hearing their earlier hits for the first time.

Lead singer Deborah Harry was 53 when they recorded this. She is a former playboy bunny. (thanks, Parvez - bangalore, India)

When this hit #1 in the UK, Blondie became the first act to have #1s in the UK in the '70s, '80s and '90s. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

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Comments:

When the song reached No. 1 in the UK in February 1999, Debbie Harry, who was then 53 & 255 days old and became the oldest female singer to achieve that feat. The previous record was held by Cher the week before with the song 'Believe.'
- John# , Melbourne, Australia

Re My last comment: I got the wrong song, I meant to put it in "Heart of Glass" I don't know how it got here! I love this song too though, I have opinions of the vid though as I haven't seen it.
- Mjn Seifer , Not listed for personal reason, England

I love this song! The music video is a TINY bit "look at me!", but not as much as a lot of other vids out there.
- Mjn Seifer , Not listed for personal reason, England

This is one of the best Blondie tunes of them all. Excellent product!
- JoAnne , Virginia Beach, VA

With this song Debbie Harry became the oldest female to have a UK number 1 hit single. As mentioned, she was 53 when this hit the top.
- Darren , Hull, England

Strictly speaking, it's incorrect that Blondie were the first act have No.1 UK hits in the 70s, 80s and 90s - Cliff Richard has had a UK No.1 in every decade since the 50s (apart from the 2000s, but I'm sure he'll achieve that feat eventually)
- Dave , Cardiff, Wales

I thought this was a great "Blondie" song. I had really missed them
- David , Waco, TX

this particular song was used in an episode of The Bold N the Beautiful, models were parading to the song on the catwalk
- pete , nowra, Australia

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