What Do Pretty Girls Do?
Kirsty MacColl · 1998
48 min · 15 tracks · new wave
Eclectic pop melodies intertwine with sharp lyrical wit and a playful sense of irony throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Do Pretty Girls Do? — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of femininity and societal expectations, delivered through catchy melodies and incisive lyrics that challenge traditional narratives.
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There's a Guy That Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis — This track cleverly blends humor with poignant observations about fame and identity, showcasing MacColl's unique ability to mix lightheartedness with depth.
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Darling, Let's Have Another Baby — Here, MacColl tackles the complexities of relationships and personal choices with a tongue-in-cheek perspective, highlighting her skill in addressing serious topics playfully.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- witty lyrics with infectious melodies
- steady flow for easy listening
- light-hearted anthems for gatherings
- playful narratives that engage
- short tracks for breaks
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of deep introspection
- prefer heavy, slow tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 1998, What Do Pretty Girls Do? was Kirsty MacColl's last studio album before her untimely death in 2000. This album followed her critically acclaimed work, particularly the hit 'A New England', and showcased her continued evolution as a songwriter blending pop hooks with social commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Squeeze· The B-52's· Elvis Costello
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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What Do Pretty Girls Do?
The chorus repeatedly questions societal norms about beauty and behavior, inviting listeners to reflect on their own perceptions.
The refrain’s repetitive questioning serves to undermine the very ideals it critiques, creating an engaging tension between expectation and reality.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Don't Come the Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim 3:41
- 2 What Do Pretty Girls Do? 2:36
- 3 Don't Run Away From Me Now 2:57
- 4 Still Life 3:06
- 5 There's a Guy That Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis 3:48
- 6 Walk Right Back 3:38
- 7 Darling, Let's Have Another Baby 2:39
- 8 A New England 3:28
- 9 My Affair 3:45
- 10 Bad 1:59
- 11 Can’t Stop Killing You 3:54
- 12 Caroline 2:48
- 13 Free World 2:45
- 14 He's on the Beach 3:28
- 15 A New England 3:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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