Why was Blondie more successful in the UK rather than the USA?

Question

Why was Blondie more successful in the UK rather than the USA?

Answer 1

Because the style of music was more akin to UK tastes - snappy tunes with no hystrionics, no big-headed lead guitarists showing off, and above all they fitted in perfectly with the UK punk/New Wave movement.

Answer 2

Deborah Harry has a really big head and Brits like that look.

Answer 3

Because they were terrible. Brittish people love bad music and then they try and send them this way (spice girls anyone?)

Answer 4

Blondie were always ahead of their time. During the late 70s popular music in the USA was mostly disco (think ABBA, BeeGees, etc). Most of Blondie's early music was raw edgy punk, which is very unlike disco. Other parts of the world, including the UK, had already begun their punk movements and were ready for the unique sound Blondie had to offer. Another factor to take into account was the fact that Blondie was led by a woman (the fabulous Debbie Harry). In the US, few bands had women at all, so while the UK judged the music, perhaps the US also judged the lineup. A few years later, with the help of a talented producer (Mike Chapman) the band was able to take their amazing music and spin it in a direction that would appeal to the disco loving USA. They finally cracked the US music charts with Heart of Glass, their first number one and arguably their most famous song to date. Soon other bands joined them and Blondie's unique style of music became the new disco. So the bottom line is the USA simply wasn't ready for Blondie, but the UK and those with great music taste were. Keep in mind this is all just one Blondie fan's humble analysis. = )