Biography

English songwriter and singer Kristy MacColl had hits with such albums as "Kite" (1989), "Titanic Days" (1994) and "Tropical Brainstorm" (2000). Her first hit as a songwriter was "They Don't Know" for Tracey Ullman in 1983. Her trademark style is a sharp wit allied to strong melodies. Her work combines these with Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, creating her most upbeat collection yet. She has written and performed theme songs for three British TV series. Surprisingly for such a gifted writer, her biggest single hits have been cover versions, notably "Days" by Ray Davies, Billy Bragg's "New England" and of course "Fairytale of New York" with The Pogues.
- IMDb mini biography by: Alan Officer <webmaster@freeworld.demon.co.uk> (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)

On December 18, 2000, she and her children were scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico. They had just surfaced when she saw a speedboat heading directly for them (the area was reserved for divers and the boat should not have been there). She pushed her children out of the way, but she was struck by the boat and died instantly.

She had an older brother, Hamish MacColl, and three younger half-siblings: Neil MacColl, Calum and Kitty.

She had two sons with her ex-husband, Steve: Jamie and Louis Lillywhite.

She was a daughter of Ewan MacColl and Jean MacColl.

Tracey Ullman covered her song "They Don't Know" in 1983 and had a top 10 hit with it in Britain and America; the "Baby!" at the end of the instrumental break is actually MacColl's vocal, sampled from the original, because Ullman couldn't hit a note that high.