Blondie Share Another Rediscovered Rarity with the Minimalist “Mr. Sightseer”

Their forthcoming boxset Blondie: Against the Odds 1974-1982 is out August 26.

Blondie Share Another Rediscovered Rarity with the Minimalist “Mr. Sightseer”

Their forthcoming boxset Blondie: Against the Odds 1974-1982 is out August 26.

Words: Margaret Farrell

Photo: Bob Gruen

August 09, 2022

(L-R) Chris Stein, Gary Valentine, Debbie Harry, Jimmy Destri and Clem Burke of Blondie posing in a neon tunnel in NYC. September 1976. © Bob Gruen/www.bobgruen.com Please contact Bob Gruen’s studio to purchase a print or license this photo. email: [email protected] phone: 212-691-0391

At the end of the month, trailblazing new wave group Blondie are releasing their boxset Blondie: Against the Odds 1974-1982 which features unreleased material and lots of old demos, outtakes, and alternate versions. Today, they've shared the rediscovered song "Mr. Sightseer," which has been newly mastered by GRAMMY-winning engineer Michael Graves and serves as the B-side to the boxset's recently released rarity "Moonlight Drive."

"Mr. Sightseer" was recorded in 1978 on a TEAC TCA-43 4-track reel-to-reel at Chris Stein and Debbie Harry's home. "The lyric is not good at all," Harry jokingly reflected of the track. "The song's not too bad. It's just a little simplistic. It didn't ever get really developed or finished."

Listen to the track below, and pre-order the boxset here.