Union City Blue

Blondie

About Union City Blue

"Union City Blue" is a song by the US rock band Blondie. It was written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison, and was featured on their fourth studio album Eat to the Beat from 1979. The tune was inspired by the 1979 movie Union City, which Debbie Harry appeared in (she wrote the lyrics one evening during a break in the shooting).


Year:
1999
39 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Oh, oh, what are we gonna do?
Union, Union, Union City blue
Tunnel to the other side
It becomes daylight
I say he's mine

Oh power, passion plays a double hand
Union, Union Union City man
Arrive, climb up four flights
To the orange side
Rearrange my mind
In turquoise Union, Union, Union City blue
Skyline, passion, Union City blue

Power, passion plays a double hand
Union, Union, Union City man
I say he's mine
I have a plan
I say he's my Union City man

Oh, oh, what are we gonna do?
Union, Union, Union City blue

Oh, oh, what are we gonna do?
Union, Union, Union City blue

Oh, oh, what are we gonna do?

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Blondie

Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s. Their first two albums contained strong elements of these genres, and although successful in the United Kingdom and Australia, Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the United States until the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. Over the next three years, the band achieved several hit singles including "Call Me", "Atomic" and "Heart of Glass" and became noted for its eclectic mix of musical styles incorporating elements of disco,pop,rap, and reggae, while retaining a basic style as a New Wave band. more »

8 fans

Written by: DEBORAH HARRY, NIGEL HARRISON

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


21 facts about this song

Release Date
"Union City Blue" was released by Blondie in 1979 as part of their fourth studio album "Eat to the Beat."
Chart Success
The song reached no. 13 in the UK Singles Chart and number 31 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1980.
Song Inspiration
"Union City Blue" was inspired by the 1979 film "Union City," in which lead singer Debbie Harry had a starring role. The film is a noir mystery set in the 1950s, which inspired the song's moody atmosphere.
Song Composition
The song was written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison, bassist for Blondie.
Social Significance
"Union City Blue" is regarded as a working-class anthem, as it deals with themes of hardship, struggle, and grit associated with blue-collar life.
Video
The music video for "Union City Blue" was directed by David Mallet, who also worked on iconic music videos for artists like David Bowie and Queen. The video shows Debbie Harry running through a rail yard, corresponding to the grimy, industrial imagery in the song.
Song Popularity
Despite not achieving the massive commercial success of Blondie's hits like "Heart of Glass" or "Call Me", "Union City Blue" remains a fan favourite and is considered one of the group's strongest tracks.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by artists such as Halestorm, Radiohead, and The Divinyls demonstrating its ongoing influence and popularity.
Song Recognition
"Union City Blue" was included in the book '1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die' edited by Robert Dimery, evidence of its critical acclaim.
Film Appearance
The song is featured in the 1995 film "Tanks Girl", introducing the song to younger generations.
Album Release
"Union City Blue" is a track from Blondie's 1979 album called "Eat to the Beat."
Song Rank
The song reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart, proving its considerable popularity.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by the 1979 film "Union City" in which Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, performed.
Official Video
The official video for "Union City Blue" was shot in Union City, New Jersey.
Songwriters
The song was written by Deborah Harry and Nigel Harrison.
Genres
"Union City Blue" is classified under genres like New Wave, pop, and punk rock.
B-Side
The B-side to "Union City Blue" is "Living in the Real World".
Movie Inclusion
The song was included on the soundtrack to "The Lords of Dogtown," a 2005 movie about the Z-Boys skateboarding team.
Cover Versions
A cover of the song was released by the band Radiohead in 2008, which paid homage to Blondie's classic tune.
Re-released
In 2013, the tune was included in the EMI compilation album called "Blondie 4(0) Ever".
Track Time
The duration of "Union City Blue" is approximately 3 minutes and 19 seconds.

Discuss the Union City Blue Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Union City Blue Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26082151/Blondie/Union+City+Blue>.

    Missing lyrics by Blondie?

    Know any other songs by Blondie? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Union City Blue

    5.3M
    22,969     678

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who wrote "A Little in Love"?
    A Garth Brooks
    B Clay Walker
    C Paul Brandt
    D Blake Shelton

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Blondie's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Sat • May 04 • 7:00 PM
      The Biergarten at Old World HB, Huntington Beach, CA
    • Wed • May 08 • 8:00 PM
      Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO
    • Fri • May 10 • 7:00 PM
      hmv Empire, Coventry
    • Fri • Jun 07 • 6:00 PM
      The Piece Hall, Halifax
    • Sun • Jun 09 • 6:00 PM
      The Piece Hall, Halifax
    Blondie tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Union City Blue

    »