Blondie vs. Miley Cyrus | Head 2 Head

In the 28th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Blondie and Miley Cyrus contend for the best rendition of “Heart of Glass.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 28^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Blondie and Miley Cyrus contend for the best rendition of “Heart of Glass”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Blondie, “Heart of Glass”

“Once I had a love and it was a gas,” Debbie Harry (1945 – ) sings, continuing, “Soon turned out had a heart of glass.” One of the biggest and most recognizable hits from Grammy-nominated pop/rock band Blondie is “Heart Of Glass”. Harry co-wrote “Heart” with guitarist Chris Stein.  Mike Chapman produced the track, which appears on the band’s 1978 album, Parallel Lines. A pop song with disco flavor, “Heart” marked the first of four number-one hits by the band. Blondie earned their first of four number-one hits with “Heart Of Glass.” Besides spending a week atop the Billboard Hot 100, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

What makes “Heart of Glass” so iconic? Debbie Harry brings plenty of energy to her vocal performance.  The melody is quite distinct, catching the ears the first time you hear it.  Matters of the heart dominate. The love was once divine, but in her blindness, she discovered “Mucho mistrust, love’s gone behind.” The final verse of the song has a compelling case as the best: “Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.” Honesty is the best policy, Debbie.  The chorus can’t be neglected either, as Harry states what could’ve been – “Riding high on love’s true bluish light.” Beyond the memorable singing, lyrics, and melodies, the musical accompaniment is fire! A distinct percussive intro sets the tone.  The band cooks from the scintillating guitars (Stein and Frank Infante), electrifying bass line (Nigel Harrison), the anchoring drum groove (Clem Burke), and those picturesque keys (Jimmy Destri). Adding to the fun is some tasteful changing meter, which keeps the record engaging.  Blondie put their foot into “Heart Of Glass”, one of the best pop hits of the 1970s.

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2. Miley Cyrus, “Heart of Glass (Live from the iHeart Festival)”

Picture it: Future Grammy-winner Miley Cyrus walks onto the stage at the iHeart Festival. Beefy, hard-rocking guitars and pummeling drums gas her up.  All of this before the signature percussive groove from the 1979 classic, “Heart of Glass”, kicks off.  Live tracks are rarer on studio albums.  Cyrus included “Heart of Glass (Live from the iHeart Festival)” as the 14^th and penultimate track on her seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts, released in 2020. Originally performed by Blondie, Debbie Harry (1945 – ) and company earned their first number one hit. Harry and guitarist Chris Stein penned “Heart of Glass” in all of its glory. 

With the tone set by the rock-oriented sound, as well as those memorable cues, Miley Cyrus delivers an enthusiastic, well-rounded performance of “Heart of Glass.” The tone of the guitars remains assertive and strong throughout the song, providing fuel for Cyrus’s fire.  Not that Miley required fuel, as she’s assertive, commanding, and powerful throughout the song.  She does a marvelous job of channeling her inner Debbie Harry, no cap! While Cyrus generally remains faithful to the iconic classic, she does tweak the melodies and is unafraid to ad-lib and riff, particularly toward the end.  Speaking of the end, she is particularly electric when she sings, “Once I had a love and it was a gas / It soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.” No, “Heart of Glass (Live from the iHeart Festival)” isn’t a game-changing cover – only a few are afforded that designation – but Miley Cyrus gives an energetic, noteworthy rendition.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who performed “Heart of Glass” the best? Was it the original, number one hit by Blondie, or the live cover by Miley Cyrus?  Give Miley a lot of credit for her spirited rendition of “Heart of Glass.” She brought her A game and no shortage of personality. Miley is a force, PERIOD.  BUT…  let’s be honest.  “Heart of Glass” is one of the biggest songs of Blondie’s career.  Also, it was one of the biggest pop songs of the 1970s. Also, again, many consider “Heart of Glass” one of the greatest songs of all time. So, do I even need to make it any clearer that 🏅 Blondie wins this Head 2 Head? Debbie Harry can’t be stopped!

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