Debbie Harry on Four Decades of Blondie

What do you have lined up to perform at the Tibet House gig?

I’m not exactly sure yet. At their previous benefits, I’ve done two or three songs. If I had to choose, I’d do a standard Blondie. I’m thinking “Heart of Glass.” It’s kind of appropriate for the benefit.

How so?

Because it’s about love and lost love and there’s definitely a loss that Tibetans are suffering. The song’s about getting beyond that loss, and Tibetans can fully appreciate that sentiment. Beyond that, I’ll probably do something that I’m rehearsing for the Carlyle run. Whatever’s tightest.

You’ve been called the Marilyn Monroe of the past 40 years. Why do you think you became an icon?

Partially, I think it was just having that photogenic kind of face. Also, I was there doing something at a time that was the beginning of an era of style, a switchover from the hippie period into the real intercontinental, international. The styles of the world sort of merged, and I was in the right place at the right time doing the right things. Whether you want to attribute that to great genius or a stroke of luck, it’s up to you.

Debbie Harry will play the Café Carlyle from March 24 to April 4, Tuesday through Saturday at 8:45 p.m. and Friday at 8:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., rosewoodhotels.com; the Tibet House Benefit Concert takes place March 5 at 7:30 p.m., carnegiehall.com.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

The New York Times