Deborah Harry – “I Want That Man”:
Crush-core pop with power, playfulness, and platinum-blond confidence
A Feel-Good Comeback
In September 1989, Deborah Harry (formerly credited as Debbie) made a striking return to the pop spotlight with “I Want That Man,” the electrifying lead single from her third solo album Def, Dumb & Blonde. It was her most commercially successful solo moment, especially outside the U.S., reminding the world that the Blondie frontwoman still had unmistakable star power. The song hit No. 2 in Australia, No. 7 in Ireland, No. 8 in New Zealand, and No. 13 in the UK — formidable proof that Harry’s solo career could shine bright on its own terms.
A Reinvention That Still Felt Familiar
By the late ’80s, Harry had already stretched her artistic range with experimental solo projects, but “I Want That Man” steered her back into bright, hook-heavy pop-rock territory — this time with an updated late-’80s sheen. The track was written by Alannah Currie and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins, who also handled production alongside Eric “E.T.” Thorngren. Their fingerprints are all over it: sharp, layered guitars, driving drums, and glistening synth flourishes that update the Blondie formula with glam polish and a dash of cheeky cool.
It’s a song that feels forward-moving yet grounded in everything fans loved about Harry in the first place — fierce wit, stylish swagger, and fearless vocals.
A Bold, Flirty Statement
Lyrically, “I Want That Man” is all about unapologetic desire — turning infatuation into empowerment. Harry opens with a wry grin: “I want to dance with Harry Dean” — name-checking actor Harry Dean Stanton, whom she would later briefly date. It’s not just a pop-culture nod; it’s a manifesto of romantic agency. From there, the lyrics spin with gleeful abandon, as she lays claim to what — or who — she wants without hesitation.
At 44, Harry wasn’t following trends — she was cutting through them, embracing maturity with humor and heat. There’s no posturing here. Just pure, radiant charisma.
Reception and Legacy
While the song didn’t break into the Billboard Hot 100, it became a major alternative hit in the U.S., climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and solidifying her presence on college and indie radio. Critics praised its high-gloss production and Harry’s effortless performance. The single’s B-side, “Bike Boy,” co-written with Chris Stein, added extra punk grit to the release and appeared as a bonus on some album editions.
Over time, “I Want That Man” has aged into a fan favorite and feminist-flavored anthem — not because of any heavy messaging, but because Harry simply owns the narrative from start to finish. It’s proof that older women in pop could still be vibrant, visible, and joyfully in charge.
More than three decades later, “I Want That Man” still pops off the speakers — sassy, sultry, and sparkling with smart bravado. What makes it work isn’t just the tight songwriting or bright production — it’s the woman at the center of it all: Deborah Harry, delivering pop that’s playful, self-aware, and deeply self-possessed.
She didn’t need reinvention. She just needed the right song. And with “I Want That Man,” she got one that still purrs with power.