Claire and friends
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Claire and friends were a British one-hit wonder, consisting of Stockport schoolgirl Claire Usher and her friends.
Their one hit was the novelty record "It's 'orrible being in love (when you're eight and a half)", released by BBC records, which entered the United Kingdom singles chart Top 20 on 7 June 1986, reached No. 13. The song, about the emotional impact that an infatuation with a fellow school pupil has on an eight and a half year old, consisted of several verses on this theme, with a chorus as follows:
- It's 'orrible being in love when you're eight 'n 'arf.
- I got your picture on me wall
- Got your name upon me scarf
- Oh it's 'orrible being in love, 'orrible being in love when you're eight 'n 'arf.
- Everyday I hope I wont be late
- cos every day he's waiting by the school gate
- And the biggest of all my dreams
- Is to hurry into my teens
- cos it's 'orrible being a little bit more than eight.
- Oh I put my mum's high heels on yesterday
- So you see i'm growing up in every way
- I put some lipstick on my face
- And did my hair up just in case
- He called me up and asked me out to play
- Oh I think i've seen the house i'd like to buy
- So please say you'll marry me before I cry
- It's just a tiny house for two
- Just big enough for me and you
- So go on and ask my dad, now don't be shy
The song, written and produced by Mick Coleman (who, as one half of duo Brian and Michael, were also responsible for the 1978's number 1 hit "Matchstick Men and Matchstick Cats and Dogs") originated from a talent-spotting feature on the children's television programme Saturday Superstore, where it beat a thousand other entries.
This was followed by an album of cover versions, entitled "Super Claire", which did not have the same commercial success.
In adulthood, Claire Usher obtained a degree in Drama and became a dancer, and appeared in stage show Riverdance on Broadway in the year 2000, and in the show's UK tour.
