My Top 1000 Songs #178: They Don't Know

What can I say--I'm a sucker for a perfect pop tune. The late Kirsty MacColl's 1979 debut single hits all the right notes. Catchy as hell, nailing the midway point between a retro 60s girl-group sound and a more contemporary new wave/power pop vibe. MacColl's vocals are girl-next-door cute and authentic; she was apparently 16 when she wrote the song, and the song sounds permanently locked in that age, yet without slipping into bubblegum. And when she hits that high-note baby after the bridge? Chills.

Singer/actress Tracey Ullman made it a hit, sticking closely to the original (indeed, she splices in Kirsty's "baby"!).

Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs give the song a spin on one of their awesome covers collaborations:

And hey--power-poppers The Anderson Council give it a more amped-up energy, with guest vocals from my cousin, music writer Dawn Eden!