The Tide Is High Instant

: To maintain its Jamaican soul, the band hired three percussionists and added a lush arrangement of horns and strings.

: Their version hit #1 in the US, UK, and Canada, cementing their reputation for successfully blending punk/new wave with world music like reggae, rap, and disco. The 2000s Pop Update: Atomic Kitten 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. : To maintain its Jamaican soul, the band

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

: Sean Lennon recalled that "The Tide Is High" was one of the few modern songs his father, John Lennon , would play constantly and dance to at home.

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.