The Tide Is High

Blondie, Debbie Harry

About The Tide Is High

"The Tide Is High" is a 1967 song written by John Holt, originally produced by Duke Reid and performed by the Jamaican group The Paragons, with Holt as lead singer. The song gained international attention in 1980, when a version by the American band Blondie became a US/UK number one hit. The British girl group Atomic Kitten also had a number one hit with their version of the song in 2002, while Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall had a minor hit with his interpretation in 2008.  


Year:
1988
5:36
1,544 
#4

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The tide is high but I'm holdin' on
I'm gonna be your number one
I'm not the kind-a girl who gives up just like that, oh no

It's not the things you do that tease and hurt me bad
But it's the way you do the things you do to me
I'm not the kind-a girl who gives up just like that, oh no

The tide is high but I'm holdin' on
I'm gonna be your number one, number one.

Ev'ry girl wants you to be her man
But I'll wait my dear till it's my turn
I'm not the kind-a girl who gives up just like that, oh no

The tide is high but I'm holdin' on
I'm gonna be your number one, number one, number one

Ev'ry girl wants you to be her man
But I'll wait my dear till it's my turn
I'm not the kind-a girl who gives up just like that, oh no

The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one, number one, number one

The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one

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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: JOHN KENNETH HOLT, TYRONE EVANS

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Original Creators
The Paragons, a rocksteady band from Jamaica, originally recorded "The Tide Is High" in 1967.
Songwriter Credits
The song is primarily credited to John Holt, who was the lead singer of The Paragons.
Iconic Backing Vocals
U-Roy, a well-known artist in the reggae and dancehall scene, featured as a backing vocalist on The Paragons' original version.
Meaning of Lyrics
"The Tide Is High" explores themes of unwavering love and resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.
Popularity in UK
The Paragons' "The Tide Is High" became a popular hit in the UK even though it didn't break into mainstream charts upon its initial release.
Blondie's Interpretation
Blondie, an American rock band led by Debbie Harry, recorded a cover of "The Tide Is High" in 1980.
Global Success
Blondie's cover of "The Tide Is High" landed at the top spot on music charts in several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the UK.
Reggae Influence
Despite Blondie being associated with the punk, new wave and pop genres, their version of "The Tide Is High" retains the reggae vibe of the original version.
Incorporation of Brass
Blondie's cover stood out for its incorporation of brass and the chachalaca (mark tree), enriching the song's texture.
Award Winning
Blondie's version of "The Tide Is High" won a Grammy award for "Best Female Rock Vocal Performance" in 1981.
Usage in Movies and TV
Over the years, "The Tide Is High" has been featured in several movies and television shows, including "Mean Girls," "Gilmore Girls," and "The Deuce."
Later Covers
The song has been covered by several artists since Blondie's release, including Atomic Kitten, whose version reached the number one spot in the UK charts in 2002.
Iconic Video
Blondie's music video for "The Tide Is High" is iconic, featuring Debbie Harry in a dreamlike state as she's crowned "Queen of Mars".
B-side
The B-side of Blondie's single was "Suzie and Jeffrey", a track which told the story of a couple.

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    The Tide Is High

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    15,101     652

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1981

    Billboard #1


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