Wednesday April 7, 2021 “They Don’t Know (About Us)” Tracey Ullman
Still in 1984, the year not the novel.
Tracey Ullman was signed to Stiff Records, home to rising punk artists like Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, The Damned and Devo among others and recorded and released “They Don’t Know” which was both antithetical to the Stiff image and more importantly quite successful.
Kirsty MacColl wrote “They Don’t Know” when she was just 17. She was the daughter of folk singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl, who wrote Roberta Flack's Grammy winning Valentine’s Day song of the day, "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Kristy MacColl lack of success was due to some unfortunate circumstances that were all beyond her control.
Just as MacColl’s first single for record label Stiff Records was starting to rise up the charts there was a record distributor’s strike that prevented copies of her single from reaching record stores and as a result her song didn't appear on the charts.
She left Stiff Records and went to Polydor where after she recorded a critically acclaimed album/CD she was dropped from the label. MacColl then returned to Stiff Records which shortly after declared bankruptcy and her contract went to the receiver which prevented her from recording under her own name.
If you are thinking Kristy MacColl was born under a bad star you might be correct, she was killed in a bizarre boating accident while on vacation in Mexico.
Tracey Ullman however would go on to several successful TV series both in the US and the UK as well as occasional movie appearances.
Stay safe and well...and check out Tracey’s boyfriend Paul,in the car at the end of the video, it’s worth the wait.