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"They Don't Know" is a song written by Kirsty MacColl. MacColl recorded it in 1979. It became popular on radio in the United Kingdom reaching #2 on the Airplay chart; however, complications involving a strike at her distributors prevented the single from being shipped and promoted properly preventing release of the single hence failing to chart.
Although the song was not taken from an album, it later appeared on MacColl's compilation Galore[1] (amongst others).
[edit] Track listing
- They Don't Know (K. MacColl)
- [Turn My] Motor On (K. MacColl)[2]
[edit] Tracy Ullman version
In 1983, Tracey Ullman included a version on her debut album, You Broke My Heart in 17 Places, which was composed entirely of remakes. 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 keeping her original "bay-ay-be-ee" in the middle of the song, which went to #2 in the U.K., #8 in the U.S., and became the theme song for the final three seasons of Ullman's later television series Tracey Takes On. The song was referenced in a PSA by Ullman and Chris Burke about Down syndrome.
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.
[edit] Other notable versions
- Indie band The Boyfriends covered the song as a B-side for their single Once Upon A Time.
[edit] References
