Denis

Album: Plastic Letters (1978)
Charted: 2
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Songfacts®:

  • This was a cover of a Randy & The Rainbows song "Denise," which reached #10 in America in 1963. The song was written by Neil Levenson after meeting a girl called Denise Lefrak. He originally called it "Pretty Girl" before changing it the title to "Denise."
  • Songwriter Neil Levenson brought Randy & The Rainbows in contact with the Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight"). The Tokens producers worked on the track, and it became the last Doo Wop hit for the Laurie label. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Paul - Enkhuizen, Netherlands
  • Deborah Harry sang a verse in French to justify the name and gender change. The French verse was going to be cut, but the Blondie vocalist insisted on keeping it and the verse stayed.
  • Though not a hit in their native America, this was Blondie's breakthrough hit in the UK and continental Europe. It was helped by their British-based record company Chrysalis Records promoting it extensively.
  • This won Blondie their first Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Comments: 2

  • Nicolas from Paris, FranceAccording to book "Itinraire d'un dandy pop" which is the biography of Jacno's from the French duet Elli and Jacno, this song was a message from Debbie Harry to him. Jacno real name is Denis Quillard.
  • Howard from Wakefield, United KingdomSimilar to Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly; that's obvious.
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