Blondie’s searing cover of The Rolling Stones song ‘My Obsession’
Growing up, the members of Blondie were naturally exposed to many diverse musical genres. Pervading the scene in New York City meant that frontwoman Debbie Harry felt the worldwide echoes of the British Invasion, with bands like The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones reigning supreme.
Despite the myriad musical cultures shaping New York City’s sonic landscape, Blondie’s sound was undeniably influenced by this diversity. Nevertheless, this didn’t hinder the band from consistently honouring The Rolling Stones at various points in their career.
Taken from their album Between the Buttons, ‘My Obsession’ was released by the Stones in 1967. A song that explores themes of infatuation and desire, the track was penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the band’s primary songwriting duo. In the song, Jagger’s lyrics portray a sense of longing and intense attraction, depicting a relationship where the singer expresses a deep and all-consuming infatuation for someone.
The song also captures the energy and essence of the mid-1960s era, characterised by a blend of rock and pop elements prevalent in the band’s music during that period. Despite its title, the song doesn’t necessarily delve into the darker or more tumultuous aspects of obsession; instead, it presents a more playful and exuberant take on the intensity of romantic feelings.
For many, the song and the album it sits on stand out as a strange contribution to the band’s discography. An intriguing blend of R&B and psychedelia, ‘My Obsession’ sets a commanding, entrancing rhythm and fuzzy guitar woven around a distinctive hook. Bill Wyman adds a fuzz touch on his Vox Wyman bass, while Ian Stewart injects the track with vibrant musical hues through his exceptional, occasionally discordant, boogie-woogie piano playing.
In 1977, Blondie performed a rendition of the song at the Old Waldorf Theater in San Francisco. Harry’s vocals, as sultry and vibrant as ever, contributed to the track’s overall tongue-in-cheek undertones. This is clear mainly as she sings the famous lines, “I don’t mind if it’s unkind / And it’s not my property / But I want it just to be mine, exclusively.”
1977 was an excellent year for Blondie, who enjoyed gaining widespread popularity after their self-titled debut album’s release. During this year, Blondie’s single ‘In the Flesh’ gained moderate success, but it was their song ‘X Offender’ that really started to put them on the map, especially in the UK, where it became a hit.
