Blondie – Plastic Letters (1977)

Plastic Letters is the second album by American New Wave band Blondie, recorded June–July 1977 and released in February 1978 on Chrysalis.

A1. “Fan Mail” (2:35) | Writer: Destri

Mid-tempo, closed-cadence verse, D-A-G-A bar-chord progression. Vocals start on first bar, second note. Clean chordal guitar and organ, offset with piano accents and double-up drum hits. Instrumental synth line, E♭-B♭-F-C progression, functions as the “chorus.” Destri ads bleeps and layered piano after the second chorus, heralding thicker guitar tones and rising volumes. Fades into a bell-laden fog after Debbie growls “In my ear bells are ringing.”

A2. “Denis” (2:15) | Writer: Neil Levenson

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A3. “Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)” (2:45) | Writer: Stein

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A4. “Youth Nabbed as Sniper” (2:56) | Writer: Stein

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A5. “Contact in Red Square” (1:56) | Writer: Destri

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A6. “(I’m Always Touched) By Your Presence Dear” (2:40) | Writer: Valentine

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A7. “I’m on E” (2:12) | Writer: Harry, Stein

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B1. “I Didn’t Have the Nerve to Say No” (2:50) | Writer: Harry, Stein

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B2. “Love at the Pier” (2:24) | Writer: Harry

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B3. “No Imagination” (2:54) | Writer: Destri

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B4. “Kidnapper” (2:34) | Writer: Destri

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B5. “Detroit 442” (2:24) | Writer: Destri, Stein

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B6. “Cautious Lip” (4:21) | Writer: Ronnie Toast, Stein

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Tracklist:
A1. “Fan Mail” (2:35)
A2. “Denis” (2:15)
A3. “Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)” (2:45)
A4. “Youth Nabbed as Sniper” (2:56)
A5. “Contact in Red Square” (1:56)
A6. “(I’m Always Touched) By Your Presence Dear” (2:40)*
A7. “I’m on E” (2:12)
B1. “I Didn’t Have the Nerve to Say No” (2:50)
B2. “Love at the Pier” (2:24)
B3. “No Imagination” (2:54)
B4. “Kidnapper” (2:34)
B5. “Detroit 442” (2:24)
B6. “Cautious Lip” (4:21)

*B-side
“Poets Problem” (2:20)

Credits:
Deborah Harry – vocals
Chris Stein – guitar, bass guitar, E-bow on “Youth Nabbed as Sniper”, vibraphone
James Destri – grand piano, Farfisa organ, Polymoog synthesizer and strings, Roland synthesizer, background vocals
Clem Burke – premier drums, background vocals

Frank Infante – bass guitar, guitar
Dale Powers – background vocals on “Kidnapper”
Richard Gottehrer – record producer.
Rob Freeman – engineer
Greg Calbi – mastering
Phillip Dixon – photography