Plastic Letters Songs Ranked
Plastic Letters is the second studio album by American rock band Blondie, released in February 1978 by Chrysalis Records. An earlier version with a rearranged track listing was released in Japan in late December 1977. This is the second and final Blondie album to be produced by Richard Gottehrer. “Denis”, a cover of Randy & the Rainbows’ 1963 song “Denise”, was successful across Europe, reaching No. 2 in March 1978 in the United Kingdom, and also reached No. 19 in Australia. “(I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear” was the second single from the album, reaching No. 10 in the UK in May 1978. The song was written by the band’s second bassist, Gary Valentine, shortly before he left for a solo career prior to the recording of Plastic Letters; his departure necessitated Chris Stein playing bass on the album, as well as guitar. During recording Blondie was still signed to their old label, Private Stock Records. The album peaked at No. 10 in the UK and has been certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The pink dress Debbie Harry wears in the cover art was designed by Anya Phillips. Here are all of the Plastic Letters’ songs ranked.
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10. Contact in Red Square
“A very classic Blondie album that was missing from my collection for many years. I decided to finally fill in that hole and appreciate the classic Blondie sound. For me, nostalgic.”
9. Kidnapper
“Given what would happen with the next couple of Blondie albums when the group became a sextet and sharpened it sound, these first two albums clearly represent the band in its rawest form.”
8. Detroit 442
“Blondie started out with one foot in purist rock, albeit with the shock of New Wave. Sure at the time people wouldn’t describe them as such? But with more than plenty of hindsight we can easily tell that it’s purist rock that just has a specific genre”
See more: Blondie Albums Ranked
7. Cautious Lip
“The creepy “Cautious Lip” slithers along like a venomous musical serpent and builds slowly and gradually to a blissfully weird, trippy midsection before the race-to-the-finish ending. One of Blondie’s most unusual–and great for it–numbers ever.”
6. I Didn’t Have the Nerve to Say No
“Special credit must also go to drummer Clem Burke. He was not only one of the best drummers of the new wave, but one of the best drummers ever to grace a rock n’ roll record.”
5. Bermuda Triangle Blues
“The intensity picks up again on the eerie, “Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)” which is about a tragic plane crash. “Bermuda Triangle Blues” is probably the best of the rest, but it depends on your taste.”
See more: Blondie Songs Ranked
4. I’m on E
“It’s Parallel Lines but a little darker and a little rawer. I love it, but it’s not as accessable as it’s follow up. It strikes a rare balance between punk and pop, that not everybody will like, and for this reason I feel that it is more of a cult album. For me, this exclusivity makes it all the more attractive.”
3. Denis
“Indeed, its only real “hit”, in Europe at least, was a cover of the Randy and the Rainbows single “Denise”, changed to the mail gender by turning “Denise” into the French name “Denis”.”
2. (I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear
“The exceptions that prove the rule this time around would be “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear,” which is one of my favorite Blondie tunes (and which was covered in the U.K. by Tracey Ullman). Unfortunately that song was written by Gary Valentine, who left as the group’s bass player at this point in Blondie’s early history.”
1. Fan Mail
“The opener, “Fan Mail” is about an overzealous fan. “Fan Mail” is a genius track full of futuristic synths, cryptic lyrics, (keyboardist Jimmy Destri was a brilliant songwriter) and finishes with a sexy growl courtesy of Debbie Harry.”