X Offender

"X Offender" is the debut single by American band Blondie. Written by Gary Valentine and Debbie Harry for the band's self-titled debut album, Blondie, the song was released as the album's lead single on Private Stock in June 1976.

"X Offender"
Single by Blondie
from the album Blondie
B-side
  • "In the Sun"
ReleasedJune 17, 1976
Recorded1976
Genre
Length3:15
LabelPrivate Stock
Songwriter(s)Gary Valentine
Deborah Harry
Producer(s)Richard Gottehrer, Craig Leon
Blondie singles chronology
"X Offender"
(1976)		 "In the Flesh"
(1976)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"X Offender" on YouTube

Song information

The title of the song was originally "Sex Offender". Bassist Gary Valentine originally wrote the song about an 18-year-old boy being arrested for having sex with his younger girlfriend. Debbie Harry changed the lyrics so that the song was about a prostitute being attracted to the police officer that had arrested her. The track was co-produced by Richard Gottehrer who had worked with 1960s girl group The Angels, and the song is reminiscent of that era in its style.[1]

Private Stock insisted that the name of the single be changed to "X Offender" because they were nervous about the original title. It was released in mid-1976 with the B-side being "In the Sun". While the song did not chart, Chrysalis heard it along with the Blondie album and signed the band. "X Offender" later served as the B-side to "Rip Her to Shreds". Due to limited copies of the single being released and the subsequent popularity of the band, a copy of the original UK Private Stock single "X Offender"/"In the Sun" is a sought-after rarity with copies selling for £50 in collectors' markets since the mixes of both songs on the single are different from those on the Blondie album. These mixes appear as bonus tracks on EMI/Capitol Records' 2001 reissue of the album. No master tapes of the Private Stock versions have been kept in the archives; consequently, these bonus tracks are direct transfers from vinyl.

Reception

Cash Box said that it "is really a good tune, with a driving beat that builds to a fine point of tension," saying that Blondie reminds them of The Tubes.[2]

Music video

Music videos were produced for both "X Offender" and "In the Sun".[3]

Track listing
US 7" (PS-45.097)
  1. "X Offender" (single version) (Gary Valentine, Deborah Harry) – 3:15
  2. "In the Sun" (single version) (Stein) – 2:38
  • There were three pressings of this single that can only be distinguished by careful examination of the inscriptions in the vinyl. First pressing was 7 June 1976; it contains an additional number (pvt 1231 mbw). The third pressing is labeled PVT 1231-M.[4]
US 7" Promo (PS-45.097)
  1. X Offender (Stereo Version)
  2. X Offender (Mono Version)
  • Labeled as a promo PVT 1351 BW. Contains stereo and mono versions on opposite sides.[5]
UK 7" (PVT 90)[6]
  1. "X Offender" (Harry, Valentine) – 3:14
  2. "In the Sun" (Stein) – 2:30
  • X Offender was also released in the UK on the B-Side of the single In the Flesh (PVT 105) [7]

Notes
  1. "The Story of Blondie's First Single, 'X Offender'".
  2. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 24, 1976. p. 28. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  3. Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.41
  4. Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.222
  5. Che, Cathy (1999), 'Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde', MPG Books Ltd, Cornwall, p.223
  6. Discogs, Blondie - X Offender PVT 90, UK release page 4450474
  7. Discogs, Blondie - In The Flesh PVT 105, UK release page 3077324

References
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