Burning The Ground DISCO Exclusive
As we spin into another Disco Friday, we shine the glitterball on one of the most iconic genre-crossing tracks of the late ’70s—Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.” Released in 1979, this shimmering hybrid of new wave cool and disco heat wasn’t just a stylistic curveball—it was a game-changer.
Produced by Mike Chapman, “Heart of Glass” was Blondie’s bold leap from punk-infused power pop into the throbbing lights of the dancefloor. Originally written as a slower, reggae-tinged track titled “Once I Had a Love,” the band revamped it with a four-on-the-floor beat, swirling synths, and Debbie Harry’s icy, detached vocal that would become instantly iconic. It wasn’t just a hit—it was a revolution.
Some fans of Blondie’s CBGB-era grit were shocked, even outraged, by the shift. But the gamble paid off. “Heart of Glass” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 their first in the U.S., and topped charts in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Suddenly, it was cool for punk kids to dance.
Today’s feature is the 12″ Disco Version, running nearly 6 minutes of slick, extended grooves and hypnotic instrumental breakdowns—a must-have for any serious vinyl spinner. Released on Chrysalis Records, this version turned dance floors upside down and made Blondie club royalty.
More than 40 years later, “Heart of Glass” still pulses with life, bridging genres and generations with effortless glamour. Whether you’re a punk, pop kid, or disco devotee—this track belongs on your turntable.
SIDE A:
Heart Of Glass 5:51
SIDE B:
Heart Of Glass (Instrumental) 5:17
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Heart Of Glass | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1979 | Heart Of Glass | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #44 |
| 1979 | Heart Of Glass | U.S. Billboard Disco Top 80 | #58 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – CDS-2275
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Terre Haute Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Disco, New Wave
CREDITS:
- Producer – Mike Chapman
- Written-By – C. Stein*, D. Harry*
NOTES:
A: From The Chrysalis Album “Parallel Lines” CHR-1192
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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This never gets old! I added this on KVIL/Dallas-Ft. Worth two weeks after it came out. I’d heard it as a demo called “The Disco Song” and “Once I Had A Love” from our Chrysalis rep, L.G. Hughes. She was floored when we reported this so early for my Saturday night “Club 103.7” dance show. It quickly went to full-time airplay, and radio in D/FW was never the same as we played all the big club and disco hits!
I was in junior high when this came out. And I actually liked it (secretly, of course).
I’m majorly bummed that I caught this after the 7 day limit on 24kHz because I think all your rips sound better with the higher threshold.
OTOH, I’m very glad that I have this track in any form of lossless, because I dig Blondie 🙂
Thanks again, Paul.
Thank you so much for this sensational recording. The best version I’ve ever heard from this album. Clear highs, controlled lows, and a completely clean sound. Great work!!!
If there was ever a song that always brings up memories of roller skating as a kid in a dark, crowded rink with a glitter ball in the middle and watching the experts do their tricks in the middle of the floor, this is the one. Thanks for the upload Paul, sounds great!…
I was lucky to be slightly late to the album so the copy I picked up was the repress where they used this 12 inch version. A bliss indeed!
RIP Clem Burke
Hi Paul, a fabulous track for Disco Friday! I was 10 when this was released, and shot to number 1 here in New Zealand. I couldn’t get enough of it. A really hard to find Long Disco Version clocking in at 9:00 was, as far as I can tell, released only in Italy, with the two tracks here appearing on the B-side of that release. I have managed to find a digital version of it, and it is fantastic.
Thanks again for posting this rip
I always loved this song. I’m 54. Just stellar production. This transfer is perfection for me.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate that—it’s always great to hear from a fellow fan who’s been loving this track for decades. Totally agree, the production still holds up beautifully, and I’m so glad the transfer hit the mark for you. That means a lot!
Cool to see another post by Blondie. I remember you posting the Rapture 12” single and still play those rips.
This single was a favourite of mine, aswell as Atomic.
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome, Mark 🙂
What an absolutely iconic track!! Not only were Blondie’s fans shocked at the shift, but casual radio listeners/club goers must have been shocked to find out Blondie wasn’t a disco band. A real game changer. Also, today’s record makes for a two-fer featuring Clem Burke. Whether intentional or not, a nice tribute. Thank you for another great week of vinyl Paul! I hope you, Jeff, Martika, Raymond and everyone else here boogie all weekend long!
Retro Hound,
Absolutely agree—Heart of Glass really turned heads! Blondie pulled off that genre shift so effortlessly, and it truly was a game changer. Love that you caught the Clem Burke connection too—totally unplanned, but it worked out perfectly. Thanks so much for the kind words and for being part of the vinyl fun this week! Have a great weekend 🙂
What a tremendous post for Disco Friday and a great way to end a week of superior posts!! You surely spoiled us for the week too, Paul. I mean, Five Days of wonderful posts!! Awesome!! I love this record!! It was my first exposure to Blondie. I was an AM Radio pop music junkie at the time, so this song was introduced to me via the monaural airwaves!! I just get a kick out of this 12-inch because of the sleeve and the picture of Debbie harry on the label. How cool is this!! Thanks so much, Paul, for this… Read more »
Jeff, thank you so much for the amazing comment—what a way to wrap up Disco Friday! I’m thrilled this one hit home for you. Heart of Glass is such a milestone, and I love hearing that it was your introduction to Blondie through the good ol’ AM radio days! That label photo of Debbie really is the cherry on top—so iconic. It’s been a fun week sharing these posts, and your enthusiasm makes it all the more worthwhile. Big weekend shout-out right back to you, Retro Hound, Martika, Song_and_Dance, ING, River, Daniel, DJ Xrey, and the whole BTG family! Stay… Read more »
“6 minutes of slick, extended grooves and hypnotic instrumental breakdowns” is just what I needed today, thanks!!
You’re welcome, Raymond. I needed it too 🙂