Blondie, the eponymous début album from Blondie, was originally released in 1976 on Private Stock Records. The first single "X-Offender" was originally entitled "Sex Offender" but since radio stations would not play a song with such a controversial title, the band renamed the song. After disappointing sales and poor publicity, Blondie was dropped from the label. Chrysalis Records then signed the band and re-released the album in 1977, along with single "Rip Her to Shreds". "X-Offender" was used as one of the B-sides to this single that starts with a seductive Debbie Harry speaking vocals to a beat reminiscent of a song by a girl group from the 1960's. The other B-side is a romantic ballad "In the Flesh" (also their first hit in Australia), with backing vocals by songwriter Ellie Greenwich. "Rifle Range" was the UK B-side to "Heart of Glass" in 1979.

The album was first digitally remastered by Chrysalis Records UK in 1994. In 2001 the album was again remastered and reissued, this time along with five bonus tracks. "Out in the Streets", "The Thin Line" and "Platinum Blonde" are three of five tracks from a 1975 demo recorded by Alan Betrock, all five were first issued on the 1994 compilation The Platinum Collection. "X-Offender" (Single Version) and "In the Sun" (Single Version) are the A and B side from Blondie's first single, issued on minor label Private Stock, and are different mixes than the album versions. The two Private Stock versions are both remastered from vinyl.