They Don't Know (Kirsty MacColl song)
Encyclopedia
"They Don't Know" is a popular song, written and composed by singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl
, the daughter of singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl
. Ms. MacColl recorded it in 1979
. It became popular on radio in the United Kingdom
, reaching #2 on the Music Week airplay chart. However, complications involving a strike at her distributors prevented the single from being shipped and promoted properly, preventing release of the single. MacColl's version of "They Don't Know" thus failed to appear on the official UK Singles Charts, which are entirely sales-based.
Although the song was not taken from an album, it later appeared on MacColl's compilation Galore
(amongst others).
, Tracey Ullman
, before she became better known in the United States as a comedy actress, included a version on her debut album, You Broke My Heart in 17 Places
. This song was the album's most successful single, charting in the top ten of various national charts. MacColl performed backing vocals on Ullman's version and reprised her original "bay-ay-be-ee" in the middle of the song, which went to #2 in the U.K., #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
and #11 on the Adult Contemporary
chart in the United States, and became the theme song for the final three seasons of Ullman's later television series Tracey Takes On.
It is sometimes erroneously reported that Ullman's version of "They Don't Know" simply uses the backing track from MacColl's original single. In fact the two versions are noticeably different: Ullman's version, which was produced by Peter Collins
, is in a different key (C, as opposed to the original's B), and it features a very slightly faster tempo, a somewhat different arrangement and a guitar solo that differs from the one played on MacColl's version, which was produced by Liam Sternberg
. The confusion may stem from the fact that Ullman did use a previously-existing MacColl backing track when recording her own version of MacColl's "Terry
" in 1984. (Both versions of "Terry" were co-produced by MacColl.)
The video for "They Don't Know" featured a cameo from Paul McCartney
; at the time Ullman was filming a minor role in McCartney's film Give My Regards To Broad Street
, which he had written directly for the screen.
Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s...
, the daughter of singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl was an English folk singer, songwriter, socialist, actor, poet, playwright, and record producer. He was married to theatre director Joan Littlewood, and later to American folksinger Peggy Seeger. He collaborated with Littlewood in the theatre and with Seeger in folk music...
. Ms. MacColl recorded it in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
. It became popular on radio in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, reaching #2 on the Music Week airplay chart. However, complications involving a strike at her distributors prevented the single from being shipped and promoted properly, preventing release of the single. MacColl's version of "They Don't Know" thus failed to appear on the official UK Singles Charts, which are entirely sales-based.
Although the song was not taken from an album, it later appeared on MacColl's compilation Galore
Galore (Kirsty MacColl album)
Galore is a compilation album released by Kirsty MacColl in 1995. It features material previously released on the albums Desperate Character, Kite, Electric Landlady, and Titanic Days, among other tracks by MacColl, totaling eighteen songs...
(amongst others).
The Tracey Ullman version
In 19831983 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.-January-April:*January – ZTT Records is founded.*January 8 – The UK singles chart is tabulated from this week forward by The Gallup Organization...
, Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman is a British stage and television actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, screenwriter and author ....
, before she became better known in the United States as a comedy actress, included a version on her debut album, You Broke My Heart in 17 Places
You Broke My Heart In 17 Places
You Broke My Heart In 17 Places, is a studio album by singer-actress-comedienne, Tracey Ullman. It peaked at number 14 on the UK album chart and number 34 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., in the Spring of 1984....
. This song was the album's most successful single, charting in the top ten of various national charts. MacColl performed backing vocals on Ullman's version and reprised her original "bay-ay-be-ee" in the middle of the song, which went to #2 in the U.K., #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #11 on the Adult Contemporary
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
chart in the United States, and became the theme song for the final three seasons of Ullman's later television series Tracey Takes On.
It is sometimes erroneously reported that Ullman's version of "They Don't Know" simply uses the backing track from MacColl's original single. In fact the two versions are noticeably different: Ullman's version, which was produced by Peter Collins
Peter Collins (record producer)
Peter Collins is a record producer, born January 15, 1951, in London.In 1976 Collins was signed to Magnet Records and formed a group called Madison, along with Ziggy, Peter Spooner and Page 3 girl Cherri Gilham, to perform his pop song "Let It Ring"...
, is in a different key (C, as opposed to the original's B), and it features a very slightly faster tempo, a somewhat different arrangement and a guitar solo that differs from the one played on MacColl's version, which was produced by Liam Sternberg
Liam Sternberg
Liam Sternberg is an American songwriter and producer best known for writing the Bangles hit "Walk Like an Egyptian". Sternberg first got noticed as part of the late '70s "Akron scene" which launched Devo and The Waitresses...
. The confusion may stem from the fact that Ullman did use a previously-existing MacColl backing track when recording her own version of MacColl's "Terry
Terry (Kirsty MacColl song)
"Terry" is a song by Kirsty MacColl, released as a single in October 1983, and charting at #82 in the UK the following month. It was her first release after returning to Stiff Records, and was the last in a run of poorly-selling singles released between "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop...
" in 1984. (Both versions of "Terry" were co-produced by MacColl.)
The video for "They Don't Know" featured a cameo from Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
; at the time Ullman was filming a minor role in McCartney's film Give My Regards To Broad Street
Give My Regards to Broad Street
Give My Regards to Broad Street is the soundtrack album to the 1984 film of the same name. Unlike the film, the album was successful, achieving #1 in the UK chart and its lead single "No More Lonely Nights" was BAFTA and Golden Globe award nominated....
, which he had written directly for the screen.
Other notable versions
- Cotton Club recorded the Swedish rendering "Vår Hemlighet" on their 1984 eponymous album.
- Anja Niskanen recorded the Finnish rendering "Syy On Rakkauden" on her 1984 eponymous album.
- Gigolo AuntsGigolo Aunts-Early history:The band was formed by middle school students Steve Hurley, Dave Gibbs, Phil Hurley and Paul Brouwer in 1981 in Potsdam, New York, originally known as Sniper...
cover the song on the 1994 Volume 10 compilation (Catalog Number: 10VCD10), distributed by RTM/Pinnacle. - Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
lead singer Ben GibbardBen GibbardBenjamin "Ben" Gibbard is an American musician known as a member of several successful indie rock bands. He is the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, and is also known for his project ¡All-Time Quarterback! and his first band, Pinwheel.-Personal life and career:Gibbard was...
often covers "They Don't Know" in live performance. - Indie band The BoyfriendsThe BoyfriendsThe Boyfriends were an indie four-piece musical group from London, England, who consisted of Martin Wallace on vocals, Richard Adderley on guitar, David Barnett on bass and Paddy Pulzer on drums...
covered the song as a B-side for their single Once Upon A Time. - NailpinNailpinNailpin is a Belgian band.After Belgian singles "Endless Conversations", "Movin' On" and "Together", from their debut album '12 TO GO', Nailpin made their international debut....
covered and recorded a video for their version of the song. - Swedish pop singer Moneybrother includes this in his cover album Pengabrorsan as Dom Vet Ingenting Om Oss (They Know Nothing About Us).
- Katrina LeskanichKatrina LeskanichKatrina Leskanich is an American singer and musician, long time resident of the United Kingdom. She is best known for being the lead singer and namesake of the pop band Katrina and the Waves.-Early life:...
released a version of the song in 2005. - Young Fresh FellowsYoung Fresh FellowsThe Young Fresh Fellows are an American alternative rock group that was formed in 1981 in Seattle, Washington, by Scott McCaughey and Chuck Carroll; Tad Hutchison, Chuck Carroll's first cousin, joined for the recording of the group's debut album in 1983....
have covered this song, as well as Kenny HowesKenny Howes-Early years:Raised in Mulberry, Florida, Howes began his musical endeavors at the age of ten by simultaneously learning the guitar and piano at home and the French horn at school....
and the Yeah! on their 2001 debut CD. - Kim WildeKim WildeKim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
performed the song at the Kirsty MacCollKirsty MacCollKirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s...
tribute show on October 10th 2010 and it will be featured on her 2011 album SnapshotsSnapshots (Kim Wilde album)Snapshots is the twelfth studio album and the first covers album by British singer Kim Wilde. It was released in Germany on 26 August 2011 by Columbia SevenOne and was released in other regions as an import on 13 September 2011...
, which will consist of cover versions only. - Andrea CorrAndrea CorrAndrea Jane Corr is an Irish musician, songwriter and actress. Corr debuted in 1990 as the lead singer of the Celtic folk rock and pop rock group The Corrs along with her three elder siblings Caroline, Sharon, and Jim...
includes the song on her album LifelinesLifelines (Andrea Corr album)Lifelines is the second studio album by Andrea Corr and consists of covers. It was released on 29 May 2011 as a digital download and 30 May 2011 on CD...
.