Debbie Harry at 80: The Art of the Feature
As Debbie Harry celebrates her 80th birthday this July, we’re cranking up the volume on a side of her artistry that often slips under the radar: Debbie Harry, the ultimate featured vocalist. With a voice that flickers between detached cool and electrifying allure, Debbie doesn’t just appear on a track—she alters its chemistry. Her distinct vocal tone—part velvet, part razorblade—brings a magnetic tension, elevating every collaboration with a layer of mystique that only she can summon. In an industry where guest spots are often formulaic, Debbie’s features carry the weight of her legend: a punk goddess, a pop innovator, and an enduring enigma. She doesn’t just lend vocals—she lends aura, reshaping a song’s DNA with her unmistakable presence.
Across genres, decades, and generations, Debbie’s collaborations read like a curated mixtape of rebellion, glamour, and sonic experimentation. Here are some of her most unforgettable team-ups—each track touched by her unique brand of cool:
“Go Lil’ Camaro Go” – The Ramones (1987)
Two CBGB titans collide. Debbie lends her unmistakable vocals to this punk-pop joyride, trading energy with Joey Ramone on a track that screams East Village summer chaos. It’s a rough, rowdy anthem drenched in New York attitude.
“West Coast Smoker” – Fall Out Boy (2008)
Who else could bring old-school punk credibility to Fall Out Boy’s hyper-charged emo energy? Debbie injects venom and glamour into the shouty chorus, her voice cutting through with a sneer that reminds everyone who paved the way.
“Shadows” – Future Islands (2017)
Debbie’s ethereal delivery glides alongside Samuel T. Herring’s bruised baritone in this synth-drenched slow burn. She isn’t just a guest—she’s the neon-lit ghost haunting the track, lending an aura of timeless cool.
“Backfired” – Solo Debut with Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards (1981)
Though technically her solo debut, it plays like a collaborative powerhouse with Chic masterminds Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards behind the boards. The funky, futuristic track was paired with a surreal music video by H.R. Giger—because who else but Debbie?
“I Will Never Stop Loving You” – The Dandy Warhols (2024)
At 79, Debbie proved she’s still in demand, lending her haunting vocals to this dreamy duet with The Dandy Warhols. It’s a love letter to enduring cool and eternal heartache.
“Tehran 1979” – Brian Reitzell feat. Debbie Harry & Shirley Manson (2017)
Debbie teams up with Garbage’s Shirley Manson on this moody, cinematic track for the American Gods soundtrack. Together, their voices summon a hypnotic, otherworldly energy that feels like a noir lullaby.
“New York, New York” – Moby feat. Debbie Harry (2006)
A glitter-drenched electroclash love letter to the city that made her. Debbie frontlines Moby’s pulsing production with all the glamor, grit, and wit of a Lower East Side legend.
“Sugar on the Side” – Blondie feat. Systema Solar (2013)
A bilingual banger blending synth-pop with Colombian cumbia. Debbie and Systema Solar trade verses in English and Spanish, crafting a global groove that’s as sweet as it is subversive.
“Live Alone” – Franz Ferdinand feat. Debbie Harry (2011)
Debbie lends her unmistakable vocals to Franz Ferdinand’s track, transforming it with a sultry, commanding presence. Alex Kapranos’ backing vocals complement Debbie’s lead, creating a stylish and modern take on indie dance-rock.
“Heart’s A Liar” – Andy Bell (Erasure) feat. Debbie Harry (2025)
Andy Bell of Erasure enlists Debbie Harry on his 2025 solo single “Heart’s A Liar.” A dark, disco-infused synth-pop gem, the track pulses with drama and allure, with Debbie’s haunting harmonies weaving through the chorus and lifting the track into cinematic territory.
“Immortal Queen” – Sia feat. Debbie Harry & Chaka Khan (2024)
A monumental collaboration where Sia enlists Debbie Harry and Chaka Khan for an electrifying anthem of empowerment and grandeur. “Immortal Queen” fuses pop spectacle with soulful grit, each vocalist commanding their verses like royalty.
“Heart Of Glass” – Dolly Parton feat. Debbie Harry (2024)
Country legend Dolly Parton teams up with Debbie Harry for a reimagined version of Blondie’s classic “Heart Of Glass.” Debbie’s unmistakable vocals blend seamlessly with Dolly’s twang, creating a cross-genre duet that’s both playful and iconic.
“Downtown” – Heloise & The Savoir Faire feat. Debbie Harry (2008)
Debbie Harry makes a brief but memorable appearance around the 2:50 mark on this energetic indie-disco cover of Petula Clark’s “Downtown.” Performed by the now-defunct band Heloise & The Savoir Faire, the track blends funky retro flair with a modern edge. Sadly, the band has since vanished from the scene, leaving behind only this shimmering, underground gem.
“IWNSLY” – Nala, The Dandy Warhols, Debbie Harry (2024)
We caught this track on KCRW in Los Angeles while waiting in line at In-N-Out in Culver City, and it was magic. A hypnotic blend of electronic, rock, and Debbie’s unmistakable vocal presence, “IWNSLY” is a collaborative spark between Nala, The Dandy Warhols, and Debbie Harry that feels both futuristic and timeless. We’re eager to know more about the production and vocal sampling that went into this track—how exactly Debbie’s vocals were woven into the sonic fabric here?
“Soul Train” – Just Loud feat. Debbie Harry of Blondie (2018)
This vibrant, funky single featuring newcomer Just Loud and Debbie Harry debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, marking Debbie’s first chart entry in nearly three decades. Her signature edge propels the track’s catchy hook, helping it climb into the Top 25 at alternative radio. A seamless blend of retro flair and modern groove, “Soul Train” is proof that Debbie’s star power remains timeless.
At 80, Debbie Harry remains the feature artist that musicians dream of—not just a voice, but a presence, an energy, an aura. She doesn’t just enhance a track; she rewrites its rules, infusing every guest appearance with her signature blend of danger, glamour, and playfulness.
In every feature, Debbie Harry brings more than just a vocal—she brings a history, a mood, and an unteachable sense of edge. She’s the secret ingredient that transforms a good track into a cult favorite, a deep cut into a statement. As she hits 80, Debbie remains not just an icon of the past, but a living testament to the power of collaboration, reinvention, and sheer magnetic presence. Wherever she turns up next, one thing’s for sure: the cool factor will follow.
Did we miss your favorite Debbie Harry collaboration? Let us know or drop us a line with any deep cuts or rare gems we should feature next!
