Released August 1978 Recorded 1978 Length 2:59 | Format 7" vinyl Genre New wave | |
B-side "Fade Away and Radiate" | ||
"Picture This" is a song by the American rock band Blondie. It was released in 1978 as the lead single from their third album Parallel Lines. It reached number 12 in the UK, giving Blondie their third UK Top 20 hit. It also charted in various other countries but was not issued as a single in the US.
Contents
Background
"Picture This" was written by Chris Stein, Debbie Harry and Jimmy Destri. Debbie Harry wrote the lyrics while Destri and Stein each wrote portions of the music. The B-side of the single, "Fade Away And Radiate", featured Robert Fripp on guitar and was also included on the Parallel Lines album. "Picture This" was included on the international version of the band's first 'greatest hits' compilation The Best of Blondie, released in October 1981.
Music critic Arion Berger of Rolling Stone called "Picture This" "the tenderest new wave love song put to vinyl".
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single featuring a straight performance by the band and Debbie Harry wearing a yellow dress designed by Stephen Sprouse.
Release history
UK 7" (CHS 2242, August 1978)
- "Picture This" (Chris Stein, Deborah Harry, Jimmy Destri) – 2:53
- "Fade Away And Radiate" (Chris Stein) – 3:57