Terry (Kirsty MacColl song)

"Terry" is a song by Kirsty MacColl, released as a single in October 1983, and charting at No. 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 Swears He's Elvis" and "A New England". The music video featured an appearance from actor and comedian Ade Edmondson who played MacColl's rejected boyfriend who got her back after fighting off a rival man.

"Terry"
Single by Kirsty MacColl
A-side"Terry"
B-side"Quietly Alone"
ReleasedOctober 1983
Recorded1983
GenrePop
LabelStiff Records
Songwriter(s)Kirsty MacColl
Gavin Povey
Producer(s)Kirsty MacColl
Gavin Povey
Kirsty MacColl singles chronology
"Berlin"
(1983)		 "Terry"
(1983)		 "A New England"
(1984)

"Terry" was specifically written for Tracey Ullman to record, however MacColl ended up doing her own version at the request of her label as part of an intended album of "teen ballads".[1] Ullman's version of the song later charted one place higher in the UK, peaking at No. 81 in January 1985. Ullman's version uses the same backing track as MacColl's, merely erasing MacColl's lead vocal and substituting Ullman's.[2] (MacColl co-produced both versions of "Terry".)

Speaking of the song's titular character, MacColl told Smash Hits in 1983: "Terry seems to be a really good name for a lovable rogue. He's similar to the Marlon Brando character in On the Waterfront. She thinks he's the greatest thing since Elvis."[3]

Reception

Upon release, Robin Smith of Record Mirror wrote: "A superbly atmospheric voice on a pretty torrid tale of out of reach love. Kirsty never seems to get the airplay she deserves, but let's hope the partnership with Ms Ullman pricks up a few ears."[4] Jools Holland, as guest reviewer for Smash Hits, commented: "She is the talented songwriter that wrote Tracey Ullman's last hit and so rightly deserves one in her own right."[5] Mark Cooper of Number One commented: ""Terry" is a predictable rocker with a tongue in its head but no other distinguishing features."[6]

Kirsty MacColl version track listing
  1. "Terry" (K. MacColl / G. Povey)[7]
  2. "Quietly Alone" (K. MacColl)

On the 12" release, an extended version of "Terry" is used.[8]

Tracey Ullman version track listing
  1. "Terry" (K. MacColl / G. Povey)
  2. "I Don't Want Our Loving To Die" (Howard / Blaikley)
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References
  1. "Bitz: The Real MacColl". Smash Hits. 24 November 1983.
  2. Jim Green: Liner notes to The Best of Tracey Ullman: You Broke My Heart In 17 Places. Rhino Records, 1992
  3. "Bitz: The Real MacColl". Smash Hits. 24 November 1983.
  4. Smith, Robin (26 November 1983). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  5. Holland, Jools (24 November 1983). "Singles". Smash Hits.
  6. Cooper, Mark (5 November 1983). "Singles". Number One.
  7. "Terry 7" single - Kirsty MacColl". Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  8. "Terry 12" single - Kirsty MacColl". Retrieved 2008-03-24.
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