One Way or Another explained

One Way or Another
Cover:Blondie - One Way Or Another.jpg
Caption:Side-A label of U.S. vinyl single
Type:single
Artist:Blondie
Album:Parallel Lines
B-Side:Just Go Away
Released:May 1979[1]
Length:3:31
Label:Chrysalis (US)
Producer:Mike Chapman
Prev Title:Sunday Girl
Prev Year:1979
Next Title:Dreaming
Next Year:1979

"One Way or Another" is a song by American new wave band Blondie from their 1978 album Parallel Lines. Lyrically, the song was inspired by Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry's experience with a stalker in the early 1970s, an incident which forced her to move away from New Jersey. The song's music was composed by bassist Nigel Harrison, who introduced the Ventures-influenced track to keyboardist Jimmy Destri.

"One Way or Another" was released as the fourth North American single from Parallel Lines, following the band's chart-topping "Heart of Glass" single. The song reached number 24 in the US and number 7 in Canada. It was not released as a single in the UK, but later charted in 2013, along with a cover by British band One Direction for Comic Relief, with the latter reaching number 1.

"One Way or Another" has since seen critical acclaim for Harry's aggressive vocals and the band's energetic performance. It has been ranked by many critics as one of the band's best songs, has appeared on several compilation albums, and has become a live favorite for the band.

Background

Written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison for the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines (1978), "One Way or Another" was inspired by one of Harry's ex-boyfriends who stalked her after their breakup.[2] According to Harry, the boyfriend's constant calling and persistent stalking forced her to move out of New Jersey.[3] The stalking had taken place in 1973, when Harry was a member of The Stilettos; Harry's former bandmate Elda Gentile recalled, "It was freaking us all out, especially Chris [Stein]".[4] Harry explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly:

Musically, the song was composed by bassist Nigel Harrison, who first introduced the song to keyboardist Jimmy Destri.[5] He explained, "My original music for 'One Way or Another' was this psychedelic, Ventures-like futuristic surf song gone wrong. Jimmy [Destri] really liked this piece of music, and we would play it on the road. Then Debbie picked up on it; she came up with the 'getcha-getcha-getcha's.[6] Harry later claimed to have worked out the song live with Harrison.[7] The song was recorded between June and July 1978 at New York's Record Plant studio.[3] According to Harrison, producer Mike Chapman came up with the chaotic ending section.[6]

Release

"One Way or Another" was released as the fourth single from Parallel Lines in the US and Canada, as the follow-up to the number 1 hit "Heart of Glass". "One Way or Another" reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the RPM 100 Singles. Although never officially released as a single in the United Kingdom,[3] the song charted there from download sales in February 2013 due to the success of One Direction's cover "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)". Adam Boult of The Guardian considered this version of the song to be an "abomination".[8]

In addition to its appearance on Parallel Lines, the song was included on the US and Canadian versions of the band's first hits compilation, The Best of Blondie (1981), as it was released as a single there, but not on the international releases. It has since appeared on multiple other compilations, including a re-recorded version on 2014's Blondie 4(0) Ever.

Blondie released a manipulated live version of the song (with the audience noise removed) as the theme for the 1999 US television series Snoops. This version was released in the US as a bonus track on the Live live album.[9] The original un-edited live version was later included on the European edition of Live, which was re-titled Livid, instead of the manipulated one.[10] Harry has since noted the song as a live favorite, recalling concerts where the crowd would point back at her and sing along.[5]

Reception

Since its release, "One Way or Another" has seen critical acclaim. Billboard said that "One Way or Another" as "moves in machine gun fashion as Debbie Harry's vocal sounds almost demonic."[11] Cash Box noted the "gritty fuzz guitar," "pummelling drum beat," "slightly quirky" beat, "engaging bass line" and said that "Harry's slinky vocals are delivered with playful aggressiveness."[12] Pitchfork praised the song as "exuberant new wave, far looser than the stiff, herky-jerky tracks that would go on to characterize that sound in the 80s,"[13] while Louder said of the track, "It was the song that took them from the punk clubs of New York to the arenas of the world, and cemented Debbie Harry’s status as rock's foremost badass."[3] Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 298 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[14]

Paste ranked the song as the second greatest Blondie song, writing that the song "stands as one of the best songs—by Blondie or anyone else—of all time."[15] Billboard ranked it as the band's fifth best song,[16] while Ultimate Classic Rock named it as the band's sixth best, writing, "From the opening stabbing guitar riff to the song's wailing, chaotic finale, 'One Way or Another' is the sound of a great band earning its rep."[17] Far Out Magazine named it as Blondie's seventh best song, calling it, "the band's most iconic song", while The Independent named it as the band's ninth best.[18] [19]

Track listing

US 7" (CHS 2336)
  1. "One Way or Another" (Nigel Harrison, Debbie Harry) – 3:31
  2. "Just Go Away" (Harry) – 3:21
US 12" promo (CHS 10 PDJ)
  1. "One Way or Another" (Harrison, Harry) – 3:31

Charts

Year-end charts

One Direction version

One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)
Cover:One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) by One Direction.png
Type:single
Artist:One Direction
Album:Midnight Memories (Japanese edition)[23]
Released:17 February 2013
Recorded:2012
Genre:Pop rock
Length:2:37
Label:Syco
Prev Title:Kiss You
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:Best Song Ever
Next Year:2013

English-Irish boy band One Direction covered "One Way or Another" as a charity single for Comic Relief 2013, titled "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)", as it also interpolates lyrics from the Undertones' "Teenage Kicks" ("I wanna hold you, wanna hold you tight /Get teenage kicks right through the night"). The single was released on 17 February 2013, and was produced by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.

"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, making it One Direction's third UK number one. It was nominated for Best British Single at the 2014 Brit Awards.

Background and response

Ahead of its release, an early version of the song leaked online. A spokesperson for Syco Music told the Daily Mirror, "It is very disappointing that the song has been leaked and we are currently investigating the matter."[24]

The single received mixed reviews from music critics. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy said "the cheeky lyrics, bouncy pop-rock melody and singalong chorus feel like an obvious but reassuringly safe option for this year's official Comic Relief single", concluding that it was "predictable but [...] undeniably fun".[25] About.com critic Bill Lamb called the single a "strong performance", assessing, "The layering of the 'Na Na Na Na' bridge from 'One Way Or Another' with the chorus, "I wanna hold you wanna hold you tight, get teenage kicks right through the night" is truly inspiring." However, Lamb also noted that "lyrically, 'One Way Or Another' is nearly a song about the finer points of stalking, and that can be just a bit creepy coming from young males."[26]

Jessica Sager of PopCrush summarised it as "catchy, fun and ... sounds exactly what you'd expect when One Direction cover Blondie." Sager additionally praised Louis Tomlinson's vocals as sounding "phenomenal" in his solo.[27] Writing for MTV, Jenna Rubenstein assessed: "1D's version sticks mainly to the original's vibe, mixing in sugary-sweet pop production with Blondie's punk rock sensibilities."[28]

Writing for The Observer, Kitty Empire was scathing, describing the medley as "execrable".[29] When the single reached number 1 in the Irish Singles Chart, RTÉ described the news as "shocking", noting the single as "just a bit ho hum".[30] The Belfast Telegraph was equally critical, blasting the cover as a "travesty" that had been "re-worked into a sanitised Comic Relief single", which were "scrappy shadows of the originals".[31] [32]

PopMatters gave it the No.1 spot on its "Best Mainstream Pop Singles of 2013" list, calling it "the most inspired, fun track of the year".[33]

The song was later included in the Japanese edition of the band's third studio album Midnight Memories as the 19th track.[34]

Commercial performance

"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart dated 24 February 2013, shifting 113,000 copies in its first week—the second highest first-week UK sales for any song in 2013 at the time.[35] It marks their third chart-topper and seventh top ten hit in the United Kingdom.[36] As of March 2013, the song has sold 292,000 copies in the UK.[37]

Music video

The music video for "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" was shot in Ghana, Tokyo, New York City, and London, including at 10 Downing Street, featuring a cameo from the then-British prime minister David Cameron.[38] The clip was released on 20 February 2013.[39]

Live performances

One Direction debuted the song live during the 2013 Brit Awards on 20 February 2013.[40] The group also performed the song live during the Comic Relief telethon on 15 March 2013.[41]

Track listing

  1. "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" – 2:37
  2. "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" – 3:07
  3. "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" – 2:37
  1. "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" – 3:20

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[44] 2
Japan (Oricon)[45] 15
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[46] 10
Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)[47] 50
Poland (Video Chart)[48] 1
Portugal Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[49] 2
Romania (Airplay 100)<--Please do not change this to Romanian Top 100 or Media Forest. The Airplay 100 is Romania's national singles chart from 2012 onwards. For further information, see WP:GOODCHARTS-->[50] 80
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[51] 79
Ukraine Airplay (Tophit)[52] 117

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "One Way or Another"
Chart (2013)Position
Australia (ARIA)[53] 54
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[54] 26
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[55] 66
Denmark (Tracklisten)[56] 43
France (SNEP)[57] 149
Ireland (IRMA)[58] 19
Italy (FIMI)[59] 98
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[60] 42
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[61] 61
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[62] 24

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United States17 February 2013[63] Digital downloadSony Music Entertainment
United Kingdom17 February 2013[64]
18 February 2013[65] CD single
20 February 2013Digital download
Japan3 April 2013[66] Maxi single

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Great Rock Discography. 71. 1995 . 9780862415419 . Strong . Martin Charles . Canongate Press .
  2. Book: Che, Cathy . Deborah Harry: Platinum Blonde . MPG Books Ltd . Cornwall . 1999 . 83.
  3. Web site: Paul . Lester . The story behind the song: One Way Or Another by Blondie . Louder . February 28, 2018 . March 27, 2020 .
  4. Book: McLeod, Kembrew . 2016 . Parallel Lines. 88 . . 978-1-5013-0239-8 .
  5. Web site: VIDEO: The Inspiration Behind "One Way or Another" . . October 5, 2020 .
  6. Book: Dick . Porter . Kris . Needs . 2017 . Blondie: Parallel Lives . . 9780857127808 .
  7. Glenn . O'Brien . Blondie: Our 1986 Cover Story . . September 7, 2019 . October 5, 2020 .
  8. News: Adam . Boult . Should One Direction be allowed to cover One Way or Another? . . February 22, 2013 . March 27, 2020 .
  9. Web site: Blondie – Live (CD, Album) . November 23, 1999 . . July 13, 2014.
  10. Web site: Blondie – Live (CD, Album) . 1999 . Discogs . July 13, 2014.
  11. Billboard's Top Single Picks . . 75 . 2 June 1979 . 8 July 2020 . 0006-2510 .
  12. Singles Reviews > Singles to Watch . Cash Box . XLI . 3 . 20 . June 2, 1979 . January 1, 2022 .
  13. Web site: Scott . Plagenhoef . Blondie: Parallel Lines: Deluxe Edition . . August 1, 2008 . October 5, 2020 .
  14. The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1-500) . . October 25, 2006 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061025052301/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/3.
  15. Bonnie . Stiernberg . The 10 Best Blondie Songs . . May 9, 2017 . October 5, 2020 . October 7, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201007182925/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/blondie/the-10-best-blondie-songs/ . dead .
  16. Ashley . Zlatopolsky . Blondie's 10 Greatest Songs: Critic's Picks . Billboard . May 6, 2017 . October 5, 2020 .
  17. Web site: Michael . Gallucci . Top 10 Blondie Songs . . July 1, 2015 . October 5, 2020 .
  18. Web site: Jack . Whatley . Debbie Harry and Blondie's 10 greatest songs of all time . Far Out Magazine . July 1, 2020 . October 5, 2020 .
  19. News: Roisin . O'Connor . The 10 best songs by Blondie, from 'Call Me' to 'Hanging on the Telephone' . . July 2, 2020 . October 5, 2020 . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/blondie-best-songs-debbie-harry-call-me-rapture-one-way-or-another-a9596291.html . May 24, 2022 . subscription . live.
  20. Web site: Parallel Lines – Awards . . June 26, 2013.
  21. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100 (24 February 2013 - 02 March 2013) | Official Charts Company. Officialcharts.com.
  22. 1979 Top 200 Singles . 32 . 13 . December 22, 1979 . . . January 24, 2014 .
  23. Web site: Japanese edition . Amazon JP.
  24. News: One Direction single leak to be investigated by Simon Cowell's Syco. Digital Spy. Corner. Lewis. Hearst Magazines UK. 7 February 2013. 20 February 2013.
  25. Web site: Copsey. Robert. Hearst Magazines UK. One Direction: 'One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)' . Digital Spy. 23 February 2013.
  26. Web site: Lamb. Bill. One Direction - 'One Way or Another (Samsung Galaxy S5 Is Best For One direction)'. The New York Times Company. About.com. 23 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130430023023/http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/One-Direction-one-Way-Or-Another-teenage-Kicks.htm. 30 April 2013. dead.
  27. Web site: Jessica. Sager. One Direction, 'One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) – song review. PopCrush. February 17, 2013 . . 23 February 2013.
  28. Web site: Rubenstein. Jenna. Listen to a Preview of One Direction's 'One Way or Another' Cover. https://web.archive.org/web/20130207061741/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/02/04/one-direction-one-way-or-another-preview/. dead. February 7, 2013. MTV.
  29. News: Empire. Kitty. One Direction – review. . 21 August 2014.
  30. Web site: Shock as One Direction hit No 1. . 21 August 2014.
  31. News: Sacrilege. One Direction's Teenage Kicks Travesty at Brits. https://web.archive.org/web/20140921194559/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34509508.html. dead. 21 September 2014. . 21 August 2014.
  32. News: Johnston. Andrew. One Direction live: Belfast gig daft, fun and not a stool in sight. . 21 August 2014.
  33. Web site: The Best Mainstream Pop Singles of 2013 | PopMatters.
  34. Web site: Midnight Memories – Japanese edition . Amazon JP.
  35. Web site: One Direction and Comic Relief land fastest selling single of 2013. Kreisler. Lauren. Official Charts Company. 24 February 2013. 24 February 2013.
  36. News: One Direction – Official Charts Company . . Official Charts Company . 7 March 2013.
  37. David Bowie Lands First UK No. 1 Album in 20 Years. Sexton. Paul. . 18 March 2013. 18 March 2013.
  38. News: One Direction video: David Cameron in cameo for Comic Relief. BBC News. BBC. 17 February 2013. 20 February 2013.
  39. News: One Direction to release Blondie cover for Comic Relief. NME. 20 February 2013. IPC Media. 20 February 2013.
  40. One Direction Clowns Around in 'One Way Or Another' Charity Video. 21 February 2013. 21 February 2013. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Jason Lipshutz.
  41. News: One Direction To Perform New Song 'One Way Or Another' At BRIT Awards 2013. Capital FM. 20 February 2013. Global Radio.
  42. Web site: One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks). February 17, 2013 . iTunes Store (Apple Inc.). 20 February 2013.
  43. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/one-way-or-another-teenage/id605899365 iTunes Store
  44. One Direction Chart History (Greece Digital Songs). https://web.archive.org/web/20191221204200/https://www.billboard.com/music/One-Direction/chart-history/GRE. 21 December 2019. 1 February 2024. Billboard.
  45. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/554591/products/music/1014095/1/ . ja:ワン・ウェイ・オア・アナザー(ティーンエイジ・キックス) One Directionのプロフィール . One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks) One Direction Profile . . ja.
  46. Web site: One Direction. The Official Lebanese Top 20. June 23, 2021.
  47. One Direction Chart History (Mexico Airplay). . November 12, 2021.
  48. Web site: Top 5 Airplay TV. ZPAV. . 2017-02-05.
  49. One Direction Chart History (Portugal Digital Song Sales). Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20191222072813/https://www.billboard.com/music/One-Direction/chart-history/POR. 22 December 2019. 1 February 2024.
  50. News: Airplay 100 – Cristi Nitzu Kiss FM – March 11, 2013. 27 January 2018. Kiss FM. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180127090412/https://www.kissfm.ro/emisiuni/54/Airplay-100-Cristi-Nitzu. 27 January 2018. Note: User may scroll down the 'Podcasturi' menu to play or download the respective podcast.
  51. Web site: One Direction - One Way or Another . . December 28, 2020 . ru .
  52. Web site: One Direction - One Way or Another . Tophit. 13 April 2023. ru .
  53. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2013 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 22 August 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140107125256/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2013.htm . 7 January 2014.
  54. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2013: Singles. nl. Ultratop. 22 August 2018.
  55. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2013: Singles. fr. Ultratop. 22 August 2018.
  56. Web site: Track Top-50. https://web.archive.org/web/20140204011518/http://www.hitlisterne.dk/yearlist2013.asp?list=Download%2050. dead. 4 February 2014. da. Hitlisten. 22 August 2018.
  57. Web site: Top de l'année Top Singles 2013. SNEP. fr. 23 October 2020.
  58. Web site: best of singles. IRMA. 22 August 2018. Click "best of 2013".
  59. Web site: Classifiche annuali top 100 singoli digitali 2013. Federation of the Italian Music Industry. it. 6 September 2018. PDF. January 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140107154658/http://www.fimi.it/up/files/pdfddm/Classifiche_Annuali_2013.zip. dead.
  60. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2013. Dutch Top 40. 14 December 2019.
  61. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2013 – Singles . MegaCharts. 22 August 2018. nl.
  62. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2013. Official Charts Company. 22 August 2018.
  63. Web site: One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks). Amazon.co.uk. 22 February 2013.
  64. Web site: One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks). February 17, 2013 . iTunes Store (Apple Inc.). 20 February 2013.
  65. Web site: One Direction "One Way or Another" the official red nose day 2013 single. Sony Music Entertainment UK, Inc.. onedirectionmusic.com. 31 January 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20130211073425/http://www.onedirectionmusic.com/rednoseday/. 11 February 2013.
  66. Web site: ワン・ウェイ・オア・アナザー(ティーンエイジ・キックス) | ワン・ダイレクション. ORICON NEWS.