The lyrics flow so well in their reflection of a familiar sentiment among young lovers that the song is over almost before you know it. Tracy Ullman delivers a wonderful performance of Kirsty MacColl’s song. Her wit is subtly channelled into her delivery. The appeal here is that you are entertained with minimum effort. The problem today is that artists make hard work in their efforts to entertain you. The screeching vocalists of today have a lot on their plate: they must vainly enlighten you as well as appeal. And it’s exhausting to listen to them. I almost feel sorry for them. They may enlighten me as to the dire predicament of the bloated pop industry today. And their efforts at appealing to me are in vain, in any case. But here, from 1983, the lyrics are clear and concise. It’s an appealing song. Perhaps we took the music back then for granted because … well, there were just so many classy little pop songs. The slight distortion in sound at the very beginning of this home video-recorded TV performance put a wee lump in my throat. We just wanted to be entertained back then. Mere entertainment!
I close my eyes and I'm again a school kid dreaming of a better life - a year later my life would change for ever and carelessness would turn to sorrow and despair. Still the dream felt so real... Hugs to all the hopeless souls out there. You are not alone.
I've always loved this song, ESPECIALLY the Kirsty MacColl original. I feel like I'm living in some Lynchian dream when I think about how Tracey is now a main character in this season of Curb
Bloody right mate me hands to cold to play a cord. I was a teen in the 60s so when this ditty came about I was allready getting misty about me youth during the British invasion love. Seems like yesterday all me troubles were so fart away.
Amanda A You are welcome! I've no idea whether Ms Dickinson actually sang on the recording, all three of them are miming in this video. She is, or was, a friend of Tracey Ullman's, apparently.
+John Galaxy The backing vocals on the recorded track were Kirsty MacColl, and may have been lifted in their entirety from her original version. The "Bay ay bee ee " that Ullman "sings" at the conclusion of the guitar solo was DEFINITELY lifted from MacColl's version. AFAIK none of the "backup" singers in Ullman's videos or "live" performances sang so much as a note either live or on the recordings
@@davekemp3690 The BABY was lifted from Kirsty’s original version of the song and was tweaked one semitone higher in the studio for use on Tracey’s cover version. Tracey couldn’t hit the Baby note. But apparently neither could Kirsty, which is why they had to use the BABY from the original recording.
People can make fun of the big hair and bright colored miniskirts, but ... look at the freakos today. Green and blue hair. Nobody will look back on that fondly.
No.No.No. The song was actually written by Kirsty MacColl in 1979 and was covered by Tracey Ullman in 1983. You have it backwards. Tracey bought Kirsty’s single in 1983 and “ played it and played it and played it” (Tracey’s own words) on her record player.
Actually, only the BA-BY! part is Kristy MacColl, the rest of the song is a track recorded specifically for Tracey, the key is totally different from the Kirsty MacColl original.
Kirsty and Rosemary Robinson provided the backing vocals for Tracey’s cover version. So, she contributed more than BABY, which was lifted from her original recording of the song and tweaked one semitone higher for Tracey’s version. The rest of what you wrote is spot on.
We were obsessed with the 60s and nostalgic for it during the 80s. We teenagers thought it was an ideal time of freedom and counterculture because there was so much social conservatism backlash. Also baby boomers were getting old so that fueled it as well.
I don’t know what it is about the song and her voice but it’s almost hypnotic! And there’s some thing about her and her little 80s outfit she was one hot little number👍🏼🤩❤️
A cover of Kirsty MacColl's 1979 swooner "They Don’t Know", but with added Spectorian production that indulge big harmonies, while Tracey Ullman amps up the kitsch and performs in a video that showcases her comedy chops.
You can still see Tracey's great acting ability here. Before Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, there was Tracey, as this was a hit around the world. Still one of my favorite songs, written by the great Kirsty McColl. So much stuff happening here.
@@andytay5507 A producer put The Simpsons into a TV show he was producing. Tracey Ullman had absolutely nothing to do with it. All she ever did was sing other peoples songs and read other peoples scripts.
@@deletebilderberg You're inferring something personal that wasn't written in any way. All that was said is that Tracey's show gave the creators of the Simpson's a launching pad. It was the highlight of the show, which the TV critics picked up on, and helped give the impetus for the Fox to try a cartoon in primetime, because it already had fans. Never in any way said she created it. Don't get your knickers tied into a knot about it. Jesus.
Great that plenty of folk remember and honour the late great Kirsty MacColl. A great poet, a great vocalist and distinctive artist. Tracey's version of this little pop gem, keeps her spirit alive. Check out Tracey's album 'You broke my heart in 17 places' - filled with retro classics like this one.
About once a year for some weird reason this song pops in my head, and I can't rest until I listen to it. The melody here is incredibl strong, honestly. There's something very magical about this tune.
+Dan Williams I here you man. This song popped into my head for no reason after a long while and I just had to find it again and play it. Thanks Tracey.
Such a perfect song this is... perfect words, perfect melody, perfect emotion perfect sentiment and perfect execution from such an incredible talent... love it to death... thank you to all who create...
When i listen to stuff like this it makes me yearn for my youth again .. i can almost feel the child in me again ( as i was the first time i heard this ) .. the 80's were the best years of my life !
Here we are in the 2020s watching '50s revival/nostalgia in the '80s. Will anybody be nostalgic for the 2020s in the future? I would hope not, that would mean things got a lot worse.
You wrote this 10 years ago. Are you still around? Anyway, I was 24 and was about to marry my first great love. Everytime I hear this, it takes me back to the most special time of my life as an American serviceman from California stationed in the UK, like it was yesterday.
That’s Kirsty MacColl’s voice hitting the high note “BABY!” in the middle bit, because Tracey couldn’t hit it with quite the necessary “OMPH” she could.
love that Tracey brought back the 1960s girl group scene...very talented..its like the 70s brought back the 50s..80s brought back the 60s..and 90s brought back the 70s disco, nice to see certain artists bringing nostalgia back from past eras.
True that - & we owe The Simpsons as much to her as Matt Groening. While half my gormless mates were drooling over the likes of blimmen Madonna & Sharon Stone, I was a'pining for Tracy & Tina Weymouth - go figure! LoL
@@MothraBlues Using Groening’s early Simpsons on her show a few minutes per episode for a short period does not make her equally responsible for the success of The Simpsons for decades. Don’t credit her for his art, labor, and business decisions as if she was involved in anything more than what she did, which was to choose his work to put on her show briefly before or after commercials. If anything, Groening’s work made her show more popular (it did in our house). That’s why she lost when she tried to sue him for taking his own creation out on his own, to have his own show when it was offered to him. Suing him to take it from him as if her show owned his creation and work was disappointing to those of us who were fans of both of them. She deserved to lose.
That is such a beautiful mash-up of Sixties and Eighties glamour. Glitter in the hair, by golly. I did that in 7th grade. Such an incredibly talented, cute lady.
Started going out with my wife in this year who’s 15 years older and everyone said it wouldn’t last - now married over 36 years and this has always been our song and played at any party we’ve had!!
This cover grew on me. Its a damn good 80s meets 60s pop tune. Kirsty's original will always be better. But I love Tracy Ullman no matter what she is singing or acting (or both).
I didn't really like the music from this era, but this was one of the "pop" songs I must admit I really liked. It's a fun chick song and well done, kind of in the Motown fashion.
2024, and still loving Tracey and this song!❤❤❤
I have always liked this song. I'm still hung up on the 80's and 70's music. Love it!!!!
The lyrics flow so well in their reflection of a familiar sentiment among young lovers that the song is over almost before you know it. Tracy Ullman delivers a wonderful performance of Kirsty MacColl’s song. Her wit is subtly channelled into her delivery. The appeal here is that you are entertained with minimum effort.
The problem today is that artists make hard work in their efforts to entertain you. The screeching vocalists of today have a lot on their plate: they must vainly enlighten you as well as appeal. And it’s exhausting to listen to them. I almost feel sorry for them. They may enlighten me as to the dire predicament of the bloated pop industry today. And their efforts at appealing to me are in vain, in any case.
But here, from 1983, the lyrics are clear and concise. It’s an appealing song. Perhaps we took the music back then for granted because … well, there were just so many classy little pop songs.
The slight distortion in sound at the very beginning of this home video-recorded TV performance put a wee lump in my throat. We just wanted to be entertained back then.
Mere entertainment!
Yes..the song was played in the states and, if I am not mistaken was... in the top 10 ... if not #1...for sure! Excellent song...
I want this played at my funeral x
This song is a gem.
This is brilliant. Brilliant in a way,most viewers cannot appreciate. She is sexy, and at the same time mocking sexiness.
Great song!! I love it and I love 1983!! Thanks Tracey!!
I close my eyes and I'm again a school kid dreaming of a better life - a year later my life would change for ever and carelessness would turn to sorrow and despair. Still the dream felt so real... Hugs to all the hopeless souls out there. You are not alone.
I hope your life got better. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
sometimes the dream is more real than anything else
I remember watching this in real time as a 12 year old in London.
this is pop done right! simple, clean, and honest!
I've always loved this song, ESPECIALLY the
Kirsty MacColl original. I feel like I'm living in some Lynchian dream when I think about how Tracey is now a main character in this season of Curb
I think it's still magic with Kirsty's high note in this version too.
Not heard this in yonks, great song!!!
Love the harmonies near the end
Great song !
I miss the 80's
You’re not the only one!
With you on that miss those days so bad best times ever 😔
Bring back the eighties ... Tracey we love you 😘
One of my favorite songs wow it has been awhile...... :)
The BEST version!
RUclips,,,the best thing since sliced bread.....oh to have my youth again.....happy birthday to me..8-5-2018.......
quite hot back then
Music of a different time. Not easier, but different.
She was incredibly sweet and attractive in those days.
Bloody right mate me hands to cold to play a cord. I was a teen in the 60s so when this ditty came about I was allready getting misty about me youth during the British invasion love. Seems like yesterday all me troubles were so fart away.
love it
The good old days..
Romani Celtic girls some of the best singers in the world - Ullman testimony to this as well as Kirsty McColl
shes great in "A Dirty Shame"
From this sound I feel the spirit of the 60s, not the 80s.
Backing singer on the right is Amanda Dickinson. She's better known for playing Bert Quigley's wife Jean in "London's Burning"!
John Galaxy Thank you for the info...i thought i recognized that face...a blast from the past..loved watching London's Burning.
Amanda A You are welcome! I've no idea whether Ms Dickinson actually sang on the recording, all three of them are miming in this video. She is, or was, a friend of Tracey Ullman's, apparently.
+John Galaxy The backing vocals on the recorded track were Kirsty MacColl, and may have been lifted in their entirety from her original version. The "Bay ay bee ee " that Ullman "sings" at the conclusion of the guitar solo was DEFINITELY lifted from MacColl's version. AFAIK none of the "backup" singers in Ullman's videos or "live" performances sang so much as a note either live or on the recordings
Gazzara5 In which case they must have missed out the 'baby' bit as Kristy sang it on the recording as TU couldn't reach the note.
@@davekemp3690 The BABY was lifted from Kirsty’s original version of the song and was tweaked one semitone higher in the studio for use on Tracey’s cover version. Tracey couldn’t hit the Baby note. But apparently neither could Kirsty, which is why they had to use the BABY from the original recording.
Tracey was so sexy, and sang so well. she still does. This has become her theme song.
*They don't know about us...They never heard of love.*
Good times!!!
to my best guy friend in the world whom I was going to marry when I was younger- I love you
I'd give it one!!
Just realised the blonde dancer went on to star in London’s burning as sick notes wife
Great song, cute girl ...
I'm in love.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
People can make fun of the big hair and bright colored miniskirts, but ... look at the freakos today. Green and blue hair. Nobody will look back on that fondly.
Apart from everything else I love the cheesy dancing.
B-ay-by!
Oh to be a teen again, having crushes on girls at school.
the song was actually written by Tracy ullman later covered by Kirsty MacColl they both happened to good friends :-)
No.No.No. The song was actually written by Kirsty MacColl in 1979 and was covered by Tracey Ullman in 1983. You have it backwards. Tracey bought Kirsty’s single in 1983 and “ played it and played it and played it” (Tracey’s own words) on her record player.
Actually, only the BA-BY! part is Kristy MacColl, the rest of the song is a track recorded specifically for Tracey, the key is totally different from the Kirsty MacColl original.
Kirsty and Rosemary Robinson provided the backing vocals for Tracey’s cover version. So, she contributed more than BABY, which was lifted from her original recording of the song and tweaked one semitone higher for Tracey’s version. The rest of what you wrote is spot on.
懐かしいねぇ・・・。
Tracey doing great Merkel and Sturgeon impressions nowadays. Talented lady!
@davieboy1971 you said it man. agree with you 10000%
Best decade of music ever, wish I could go back there ❤️
I LOVED THE 80S BUT IT WAS NO MATCH FOR THE 1960S THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AT HOME IN THE SUMMER OF 64 GRAND
@@paulcasini4759 yup, 60s was it, 70s was also wery good but our ciw started it`s fall in the 80s
Its an 80s song with a 60s feel
"Wall of sound" piano, great comment
We were obsessed with the 60s and nostalgic for it during the 80s. We teenagers thought it was an ideal time of freedom and counterculture because there was so much social conservatism backlash. Also baby boomers were getting old so that fueled it as well.
This is a beautiful song. Makes me wish it were 1983 again. Happy times those were!
Wish I was still there 🥰
Those were the days. I miss those days, too.
MTV was life. I would only babysit if the family had cable so I could see all the music videos. The Brits had the best songs!
Those were great times. But today is even better...at least for me.
Me too
I don’t know what it is about the song and her voice but it’s almost hypnotic! And there’s some thing about her and her little 80s outfit she was one hot little number👍🏼🤩❤️
It wasn’t really an eighties outfit, it was supposed to be a throw back to the 1960s 😎
Those are def 80s outfits !
Well #1 Kirsty MacColl, #2 the lyrics, #3 the harmony, #4 Kirsty MacColl!
@@lukebandy516 No, she did those throwbacks to the 60s and 70s in her videos as well. This one harks definitely back to the 60.
Who had best legs Tracy or Cheryl bakers. I can't decide
An amazing tune - and you get to hear the fantastic Kirsty MacColl ....... "baby"
A cover of Kirsty MacColl's 1979 swooner "They Don’t Know", but with added Spectorian production that indulge big harmonies, while Tracey Ullman amps up the kitsch and performs in a video that showcases her comedy chops.
I love her and her TV show from the 80's. The Tracey Ullman Show
You can still see Tracey's great acting ability here. Before Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, there was Tracey, as this was a hit around the world. Still one of my favorite songs, written by the great Kirsty McColl. So much stuff happening here.
Actually this is after both Madonna and Cyndi. But it's still a testament to Tracy, who also brought us the Simpsons.
Utter NONSENSE
😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@andytay5507
A producer put The Simpsons into a TV show he was producing.
Tracey Ullman had absolutely nothing to do with it. All she ever did was sing other peoples songs and read other peoples scripts.
@@deletebilderberg You're inferring something personal that wasn't written in any way. All that was said is that Tracey's show gave the creators of the Simpson's a launching pad. It was the highlight of the show, which the TV critics picked up on, and helped give the impetus for the Fox to try a cartoon in primetime, because it already had fans. Never in any way said she created it. Don't get your knickers tied into a knot about it. Jesus.
Tracey was a comedienne first. Madonna and Cyndi weren't.
Great that plenty of folk remember and honour the late great Kirsty MacColl. A great poet, a great vocalist and distinctive artist. Tracey's version of this little pop gem, keeps her spirit alive. Check out Tracey's album 'You broke my heart in 17 places' - filled with retro classics like this one.
I hear Tracey couldn't hit the high note on "Baby!" after the bridge, so that's Christy MacColl's vocal spliced in.
I like Tracey's version better
@@troll9682 I do too. The musical arrangement on Christy’s original sounds almost country-western
It’s Kirsty.R.I.P.❤
That is true@@MrJeffcoley1
About once a year for some weird reason this song pops in my head, and I can't rest until I listen to it. The melody here is incredibl strong, honestly. There's something very magical about this tune.
+Dan Williams I here you man. This song popped into my head for no reason after a long while and I just had to find it again and play it. Thanks Tracey.
What a different time it was :)
Dan Williams agree ! Very catchy melody.
spot on. I still prefer kirsty's original. I find it more raw. amazing songwriting
Believe it or not. This is exactly why I came here. Song suddenly popped up in my head and I had to drive home and listen to it.
She's such a born entertainer.
I wouldn’t wanna do high school again, but I wish I could relive the rest of the 80s
I was 20 in 1980.It was a great decade.
Such a perfect song this is... perfect words, perfect melody, perfect emotion perfect sentiment and perfect execution from such an incredible talent... love it to death... thank you to all who create...
When i listen to stuff like this it makes me yearn for my youth again .. i can almost feel the child in me again ( as i was the first time i heard this ) .. the 80's were the best years of my life !
Here we are in the 2020s watching '50s revival/nostalgia in the '80s. Will anybody be nostalgic for the 2020s in the future? I would hope not, that would mean things got a lot worse.
People will always be nostalgic for their own youth
It took me awhile to appreciate this song, but it's a great pop song that gives respect equally to New Wave and 60s Girl Groups.
How many guys fell in love with Tracy Ullman after seeing this video?
I did I was 20
I was 17
You’re joking Pal 😂
My favourite song from 1983 (when I was 15). Give me goose bumps every time. Enough said...
I had a crush on maggie thatcher
You wrote this 10 years ago. Are you still around? Anyway, I was 24 and was about to marry my first great love. Everytime I hear this, it takes me back to the most special time of my life as an American serviceman from California stationed in the UK, like it was yesterday.
EVERY time!
I was twenty but I love it too
Written by the late Kirsty McColl when she was just sixteen years old
Chris Montignani Only sixteen?? Thats quite OK!
Chris Montignani Ms. McColl died in a boating accident in Cozemel, Mx. as she pushed her oldest son out of the way of a speeding boat.
Sad loss
a brilliant musician I'm American and why didn't break is mindblowing
Actually it did; released on MCA here and did crack the Top 40 in 1984.
A rare and honestly beautiful song that tells a story of life that just can’t be denied.
I love it very much, especially how those two girls of back-chorus dance.
It's pretty 80's style!
The outfits scream glam 80s, but the music screams Motown 60s. Amazing.
That’s Kirsty MacColl’s voice hitting the high note “BABY!” in the middle bit, because Tracey couldn’t hit it with quite the necessary “OMPH” she could.
love that Tracey brought back the 1960s girl group scene...very talented..its like the 70s brought back the 50s..80s brought back the 60s..and 90s brought back the 70s disco, nice to see certain artists bringing nostalgia back from past eras.
Oh I feel even older was such good times and music the 80s
I know what you mean bud miss those days so much wish I was still there to much shite in the world today...much simpler and happy times back then 👌
Probably the best pop love song ever written.
A comedic genius! No one in the world is as talented as this lady!!
True that - & we owe The Simpsons as much to her as Matt Groening. While half my gormless mates were drooling over the likes of blimmen Madonna & Sharon Stone, I was a'pining for Tracy & Tina Weymouth - go figure! LoL
@@MothraBlues You had good taste.
@@MothraBlues Using Groening’s early Simpsons on her show a few minutes per episode for a short period does not make her equally responsible for the success of The Simpsons for decades. Don’t credit her for his art, labor, and business decisions as if she was involved in anything more than what she did, which was to choose his work to put on her show briefly before or after commercials. If anything, Groening’s work made her show more popular (it did in our house).
That’s why she lost when she tried to sue him for taking his own creation out on his own, to have his own show when it was offered to him. Suing him to take it from him as if her show owned his creation and work was disappointing to those of us who were fans of both of them. She deserved to lose.
This came on and I swear my smile met somewhere round the back of my head. Such good memories.
I heard this playing in a furniture store today! Took me back a few years, talented lady!
Probably in the antiques section. Sigh!
She is taking the the piss but what a talent, I never forget.God will bless Kirsty Mc Coll
Ullman has always been fearless. And a great singer on her own.
Makes me think of like 80's prom/homecoming! =) Oh man where's my flux-compasitor when you need one!
love how the “baby” is the one from the original, sung by the late great kirsty maccoll
Is that a fact? 😊
@@namregd yep :)
Kirsty MacColl the one and only Miss her!
@@namregd Fact
The BABY was from Kirsty’s original recording of the song, tweaked in the studio a semitone higher than it was in the 1979 song.
*Loved this period of time some really great memories....*
Such an evocative song for me. Bought in 83 at grand old age of 10
That is such a beautiful mash-up of Sixties and Eighties glamour. Glitter in the hair, by golly. I did that in 7th grade. Such an incredibly talented, cute lady.
The song that connects my two favourite eighties women. Thanks for the upload. RIP Kirsty, the sweetest voice in the chorus of angels.
Started going out with my wife in this year who’s 15 years older and everyone said it wouldn’t last - now married over 36 years and this has always been our song and played at any party we’ve had!!
Boy do I miss the 80s so wish I could go back in time.😢
This cover grew on me. Its a damn good 80s meets 60s pop tune. Kirsty's original will always be better. But I love Tracy Ullman no matter what she is singing or acting (or both).
Nice one Tracy! Rest In Peace Kirsty, thanks for giving us this musical gem
I have never fell out of love with Tracey. x
Have you seen her lately?
Had a crush on her as a kid back in the 80s.
its 80s but very 60s by a great multi talent in her early 20s. Without Tracey there would be no Simpsons. her american show is where they started.
Kirsty Macoll, sang with the Pogues, " Fairy Tale in New York" great Christmas song
she died in very unfortunate accident. She sang great R.I.P Kirsty
I had that same dress in black for clubbing...oh 80s come back.
I Didnt realize how hot Tracey was in the 80s, I would have then and probably
still would.
me too pal
Statements like these are always conditional pending consent.
The first time I saw her was when she was Susan's beatnik friend in "Plenty." I wasn't that impressed with her then, but she grew on me.
Totally agree
She looks great here.
Love this song brings me back in the days singing in front of my mirror 🤩
Have I been under a rock? why didn't I know Tracy Ullman sings this?! Lolol
I didn't really like the music from this era, but this was one of the "pop" songs I must admit I really liked. It's a fun chick song and well done, kind of in the Motown fashion.
BAYYYYYYYYYYYYBEEEEEE, JUST BOUGHT HER GREATEST HITS CD,
THE 1980`S ROCK
30 years ago. How come I remember that dress exactly? It must have made a great impression on my 12 year old self!
because it's great.
Was thinking the same thing.
***** Oh my !!
Tracy. Ullman sexy voice sexy women and music from the 80s what more do you need