And my first post back from a pretty long sabbatical is... a random post about the first Rock/Rap combo. Well, the blog is called "Random Thoughts", so there you go. Anyway, Blondie was a rock band from the late 1970's. They blended a bit of new wave, punk, and other genres. They're known for songs like "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another." Those two songs and today's song, "Rapture", are the only ones I know from them though. They're aren't exactly on my "Find Old Music To Listen To" journey, but some of their songs are catchy.
"Rapture" is from their fifth album, Automerican, released in 1981. The music video was released about the same time on MTV and Solid Gold. It was a bit of a rock and rap mixture. Rap was in the early stages at this point but not on the grand stage just yet. You had groups already out like the Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambatta, and Fab Five Freddy. Fab Five Freddy is important to this because he knew Debbie Harry and Harry Stein, two members from Blondie. They were inspired by Freddy and the growing rap sound to write some into one of their songs. It was pretty much a success on their end with "Rapture" being one of the first successful rap songs. I would see this video show up on VH-1's Pop Up Video when I was younger. Is it good though?
- Great Music Arrangement - Say what you want about the rapping, but the music and Harry's vocals in the beginning are awesome. It's got a slick bassline, good drumming, and some nicely placed saxophones. It's what I love from music. The added bonus are the chimes which give it a dreamlike vibe.
- THE RAP IS KINDA WACK - Hey, I like the song, but the lyrics are pretty bad. I don't know if I can relate to the man from Mars who eats cars and then suddenly decides to eat guitars. Harry's flow is alright. You can kinda tell where they ran out of stuff to say at times. I guess they didn't know what to rap about which I get. If you listen to rap songs from this era, their lyrics tend to be weird. Just check out "Rapper's Delight" where you'll hear about the following: The hip-hop hippity hop, Super-sperm, and something about bad macaroni and cheese.
- Dreamlike Video - Not only does the song have this dream-like vibe, the video is about the same. You got all sorts of randomness here. You got dancing, people painting graffiti, and a few other things I'll mention in a minute. Also, were Debbie and the rest of the band mannequins at first? That's what it seemed like to me. I also gotta admire most of it being taking place in one shot.
- Black Man in a White Suit - I don't even get who the dude in the white suit was supposed to represent. I know it ain't Fab Five Freddy. I know that from Pop Up Video. He apparently sports red, glowing eyes, so maybe he's the man from Mars... or what some people think Jesus might've looked like. He even dances with the girl ballerina for a sec, and that was cute... oh yeah, why is a girl ballerina hanging in an alley with all sorts of mischief ?!?
- Random Indian who looks like Richard Pryor - Yes, I know what I said. When I first saw this vid, I was like, "Why's Richard Pryor dressed up like an Indian Chief?" I now know it wasn't him now, but still, so random! I ain't even mentioning Homeless Uncle Sam, the weird scientist, the dancers from a cult, and some lady who looks like she escaped Arkham Asylum.
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In the end, it's a classic song and video with some weird rap lyrics. When I say it like that, it definitely sits in good company. I might add Blondie to a listen pile, but I'm not sure. Maybe someday. I don't know how much I'll post these days, but hopefully, I won't take too long with something. Until then, Peace, God Bless, and be careful out there... The Richard Pryor chieftain may still be around.
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| Look I'm just saying... it looked like Richard Pryor to me, dang it!!! |