One Way or Another
"One Way or Another" | ||||
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Single by Blondie | ||||
from the album Parallel Lines | ||||
B-side | "Just Go Away" | |||
Released | May 1979[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:31 | |||
Label | Chrysalis (US) | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Mike Chapman | |||
Blondie singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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"One Way or Another" is a song by American
"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.
"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
I was actually stalked by a nutjob so it came out of a not-so-friendly personal event. But I tried to inject a little bit of levity into it to make it more lighthearted. I think in a way that's a normal kind of survival mechanism. You know, just shake it off, say one way or another, and get on with your life. Everyone can relate to that and I think that's the beauty of it.[10]
Musically, the song was composed by bassist Nigel Harrison, who first introduced the song to keyboardist Jimmy Destri.[11] 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'".[12] Harry later claimed to have worked out the song live with Harrison.[13] The song was recorded between June and July 1978 at New York's Record Plant studio.[8] According to Harrison, producer Mike Chapman came up with the chaotic ending section.[12]
Release
"One Way or Another" was released as the fourth
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
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."[17] 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."[18] 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,"[19] 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."[8] Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 298 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[20]
Track listing
- US 7" (CHS 2336)
- "One Way or Another" (Nigel Harrison, Debbie Harry) – 3:31
- "Just Go Away" (Harry) – 3:21
- US 12" promo (CHS 10 PDJ)
- "One Way or Another" (Harrison, Harry) – 3:31
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
One Direction version
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" | ||||
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John Ryan | ||||
One Direction singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" on YouTube |
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
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" debuted at number one on the
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."[36]
The single received mixed reviews from music critics. Robert Copsey of
Jessica Sager of
Writing for The Observer, Kitty Empire was scathing, describing the medley as "execrable".[40] 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".[41] 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".[42][43]
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".[44]
The song was later included in the Japanese edition of the band's third studio album Midnight Memories as the 19th track.[45]
Commercial performance
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" debuted at number one on the
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.[49] The clip was released on 20 February 2013.[50]
Live performances
One Direction debuted the song live during the
Track listing
- Digital download[53]
- "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" – 2:37
- "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" (Sharoque Remix) – 3:07
- "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" (Instrumental) – 2:37
- Digital download (Live version)[54]
- "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" (Live from the BRITs) – 3:20
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[100] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Belgium (BEA)[101] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[102] | Platinum | 80,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[103] | Gold | 15,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[104] | Gold | 15,000* |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[105] | Platinum+Gold | 90,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[106] | Gold | 7,500* |
Norway (IFPI Norway)[107] | Platinum | 10,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[108] | Gold | 10,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[109] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[110] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 17 February 2013[111] | Digital download | Sony Music Entertainment
|
United Kingdom | 17 February 2013[112] | ||
18 February 2013[113] | CD single | ||
20 February 2013[54] | Digital download (Live Version) | ||
Japan | 3 April 2013[114] | Maxi single |
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