One Way or Another

The harmony of 'One Way or Another' is deliberately simple and punk-influenced, with the verse locked on a single D chord riff and the chorus introducing minimal but effective chord movement. The standout harmonic feature is the bVII (C major) chord, a hallmark of punk and new wave that avoids the dominant V chord in favor of a flattened seventh borrowed from the Mixolydian mode. This gives the song its distinctive edgy character while keeping it accessible and immediately memorable.

The song was born from a collaboration between vocalist Debbie Harry and bassist Nigel Harrison. Harrison composed the music as a psychedelic, Ventures-influenced surf-rock piece that he described as a 'futuristic surf song gone wrong.' He first introduced the instrumental to keyboardist Jimmy Destri, and the two would play it on the road. Harry then picked up on the track and contributed the lyrics and the iconic 'getcha-getcha-getcha' hook, drawing from her own harrowing experience with a stalker.

Written by Debbie Harry about a terrifying stalker from her past, "One Way or Another" channels genuine fear into an exhilarating, guitar-driven new wave track. Released on the landmark 1978 album Parallel Lines, the song became one of Blondie's signature tracks, blending punk energy with irresistible pop hooks and Harry's commanding vocal delivery.