The Tide Is High Instant

: Blondie originally asked The Specials to back them on the recording, but the ska icons declined.

Whether you prefer the raw rocksteady soul of The Paragons, the slick New Wave cool of Blondie, or the sugary pop of Atomic Kitten, "The Tide Is High" remains a definitive anthem of perseverance in love. The Tide Is High

: When Blondie covered it, they simply switched the gender from "I'm not the kind of man" to "I'm not the kind of girl" without losing any of its determined romantic spirit. : Blondie originally asked The Specials to back

The song was originally written by and recorded in 1967 by his Jamaican group, The Paragons . Produced by Duke Reid for the Treasure Isle label, it was a standout of the rocksteady era—a precursor to reggae characterized by a slower tempo and soulful vocal harmonies. In this original version, Holt sings from the perspective of a man determined to wait for his turn with a woman, despite the "high tide" of other suitors. The Global Phenomenon: Blondie’s New Wave Spin The song was originally written by and recorded

In , Blondie catapulted the song to international fame as the lead single from their album Autoamerican .