In their new music video for, “Doom or Destiny,” Blondie is joined by the legendary rocker Joan Jett. Jett is well known for her solo work along with her contributions to the all girl punk-rock band, The Runaways. Like Blondie, the group produced groundbreaking, and female-centric, punk-rock music during the mid 70s and early 80s.
The video shows Joan Jett and Blondie’s front woman, Debbie Harry, leading a irreverent newscast. The two deliver a broadcast filled with reports of thermonuclear war, feminist takeovers and fake news. It even shows a puppet version of our President being attacked by a feisty feline. The song uses a driving beat and distorted guitars to sonically reflect the visual protest.
The video’s Director, Rob Roth, brought Jett’s and Harry’s vision to life. Roth said he tried the video mirror the way advertising, news, politics and entertainment have fused together in our society. Roth, who has been a longtime artistic collaborator with Blondie, said working with the two icons inspired him to, “…represent a spectrum of female fierceness…It’s a ‘f*** you’ to what’s going on in the world and a call to arms for women everywhere.” Harry went on to say that the video was their way of drawing attention to subjects like, “environmental collapse, fossil fuels, bee population decline, global warming, sexism, patriarchy, Trump and Russia, feminism, consumerism, [and] the marketing of war.”
The politically charged video uses satire and humor to chip away at the “political idocracy” that the nation is facing. Harry’s bandmate and fellow lyricist, Chris Stein, noted that the music industry has not done enough to protest current affairs. He wen on to comment, “The punk style protest is somewhat removed from today’s modern music.” The video brings back the irreverent and fun style of protest that punk has always been associated with.
The song is the opening track for Blondie’s 11th studio album titled, Pollinator. The album jumps from disco to funk to rock to electronic, but remains fearless all the way through. The album features plenty more fierce female collaborations with artists like Sia and Charli XCX. The collaborators help bring a fresh feel to the otherwise new wave inspired album.
The two legendary female rockers, who have both been recently (and rightfully!) inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame, have paved the way for many female artists since the 70s. The two are clearly continuing to use their punk persona and platform to support women and challenge the state of affairs in the world.
Photo Credit: Marisa Rose Ficara
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