1980 Timeless New Wave Track Hit No. 1 46 Years Ago Today

If Debbie Harry asks you to call her ... you call her. On this day in 1980, Blondie's "Call Me," recorded for the Richard Gere-led crime thriller American Gigolo, hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it dominated for six consecutive weeks. It became the band's second number one, and peaked at the top spot on Billboard's year-end chart.

Harry wrote the lyrics for the new wave/dance-rock track, with production and composition courtesy of Italian musician Giorgio Moroder. Originally, Moroder asked Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks to perform a tune for the film's soundtrack, but contractual obligations prevented her from doing so.

That's when Moroder turned to Harry. He presented her with an instrumental track initially called "Man Machine," for which Harry penned the lyrics. Harry stated that watching the film inspired the lyrics, which were written from the perspective of Gere's character in American Gigolo, who was a high-end escort.

"Call Me" was recorded in August 1979 in New York before its release on Feb. 1, 1980. The tune is a crucial part of Blondie's versatile musical catalog and cements their perpetual place in the pop culture zeitgeist. It achieved Platinum in three countries, including one double Platinum, and Gold in three countries.

Billboard ranked "Call Me" at number 57 on their "Billboard's All Time Top 100" list. The outlet also slotted it in at number three on their list of "Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks," while The Guardian placed it at number four on their ranking of "Blondie's 20 Greatest Songs." Over two decades after its 1980 release, Rolling Stone included "Call Me" on their list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time," where it sat at number 283.

This track left an indelible imprint on Blondie's enduring legacy. If "Call Me" doesn't make you get up and dance, nothing will.