She died in on the 18th December, 2000 at the age of 41. Kirsty then started writing songs for Tracey Ullman who wanted more songs like this one to follow her success. However, In 1983 the song was released by actress/comedienne Tracey Ullman and was a hit reaching number 2 in the UK record charts MacColl performed backing vocals in this version. But since the official UK Singles Chart is entirely based on song sales, ‘They don’t know’ never made it to the charts due to a strike at the distributors which prevented the single from being released. ‘They don’t know” peaked at number 2 on the radio ‘Week airplay chart’ in the UK. It’s about a young woman’s love for her boyfriend even though everybody advices her not to, and that people don’t understand love the way she feels about this guy.

I’ve always had to create my own markets and I’ve always been at a juncture in my career. compare to Traceys Im pretty much sure my best friend has a copy of Galore, Amateurist, Ill try and burn a copy for us both. I just love to impersonate people, and I impersonate people because I find them fascinating. Then I thought, ‘Oh God, I’d better write something before I go in to see them.’ And that’s when I wrote ‘They Don’t Know”. It’s sometimes shocking to find out what people really believe in. “‘We’d like you to come and play us anything you’ve got.’ I said, ‘I thought you didn’t like the demos!’ and they said ‘We hate the band, but we quite like you!’ When they asked if I had any songs, I said: ‘Oh yeah, loads’, even though I didn’t at all. Stiff Records called and invited me back. It was pretty awful, and I was the token girl”. Tracey Ullmans cover was released as the second single. I'm in London driving around and I hear, 'And now, the Top of the Pops, Tracey Ullman with 'They Don't Know About Us.' debut album. Kirsty explained the reason behind leaving the band:”Just because it wasn’t any good. They Dont Know was written and first recorded by Kirsty MacColl (1979). Stiff Records heard the band that Kirsty was in at the time, called Drug Addix, but weren’t convinced with the band’s performance and later signed Kirsty solo.

They don t know about us tracey ullman