Deborah Harry of Blondie performs at a fashion show for Michael Schmidt (in a dress of razor blades) at the Supper Club, NYC 1992
Credit: Jon Erkider / Retna
"(Can I) Find the Right Words (to Say)" by Jon Erkider
Deborah Harry of Blondie performs at a fashion show for Michael Schmidt (in
a dress of razor blades) at the Supper Club, NYC 1992
Credit: Jon Erkider / Retna
I recently ran into a schoolmate of mine from Texas in a New York City bar. After getting over the initial shock of meeting so many years later the first thing he said to me was daunting, "I still remember in 6th grade when the nuns made us learn that song you wrote about Saint Mary Mazarello using the music to "The Tide is High!..." What?!
Yes, it was true. I was asked to come up with lyrics to be sung during a mass honoring the saint. Rebellious and insurgent from strict school doctrine, I chose the most unconventional song by my favorite band Blondie. "The Tide is High" was #1 and the perfect counterblast to what we were singing in class like "Time in a Bottle" and "Earthen Vessels." The lyrics were projected on to the walls of the church and the entire school sang over the Blondie single during mass! "...the first Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco was Saint Mary Mazarello...daughter of Joseph and Madelyn Mazarell o...oh-oh-oh..."
It wasn't the best interpretation of her life but enough to have the entire student body sing it to the Mother Provincial on her visit to our school. I guess everyone was a little nervous or maybe the volume was a little too loud, but you could definitely hear Debbie's voice over ours. As the Mother Provincial sat, so proud and beaming with delight, a line rang out so bold "...every girl wants you to be her man...but I''ll wait my dear, til it's my turn..."
Ouch!
Let's just say I was never asked to contribute a song again....