S.O.D. "Rapture" by Blondie

8/21/2015     This is a history making tune that features the genres of disco, funk and hip-hop.  Written by the band's vocalist, Deborah Harry and guitarist, Chris Stein, it charted in 14 countries, ranking #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play charts.  It became the first song ever to top the charts featuring rap and the first music video with rap to be broadcast on MTV which happened in 1981.  

     In the music video which was shot in the eastern village of Manhattan, professional dancer William Barnes, who also choreographed, is the Man from Mars and main subject. Symbols such as Uncle Sam and a Native American are also seen as well as appearances by filmmaker, visual artist and hip-hop pioneer, Fab 5 Freddy and graffiti artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Lee Quinones.  In 2005 the song was mixed with the 1971 Doors single "Riders on the Storm". It was titled "Rapture Riders" and charted well in the U.S., Australia and Europe.  

     Blondie formed in New York City in 1974, broke up in 1982, reformed in 1997 and are still active.  They have won the Juno award twice among others, have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.