Favorite "Real People" Songs #9: "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis"

@teamfreak16 (43421)
Denver, Colorado
December 3, 2017 3:49pm CST
The other night, it occurred to me that I like quite a few songs that have real people's names in the title, hence, this series. We are at #9: "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis," by Kirsty MacColl. Unless you were an alternative music aficionado in the 80's and early 90's, you might be most familiar with Kirsty MacColl through Tracey Ullman's hit version of MacColl's "They Don't Know About Us." Although she had prior singles, "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" (on the US release, "Chip Shop" became "Truck Stop,") from her 1981 debut album, Desperate Character, was MacColl's first big hit, reaching #14 in the UK and #9 in Ireland. It charted in a total of five countries. (That US "Truck Stop" version was a DJ promo only release.) Kirsty MacColl also appeared on the BBC comedy, the French and Saunders Show, on which she did not appear in the sketches, rather, she performed her tunes music video style. She also regularly appeared on the Jules Holland Show. I've linked to a 1981 video, very possibly a French and Saunders video, possibly an official one. Either way, it's a fun song. R.I.P., Kirsty. Thank you for the music. (Info verified by Wikipedia)
Kirsty MacColl - There's a guy works down the chip shop, swears he's Elvis 1981 Oh darling why d'you talk so fast Another evening just flew past tonight And ...
6 people like this
4 responses
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
4 Dec 17
I’m genuinely shocked....that this is only #9. You must have some real good ones coming up! And let’s not forget her great part on “Fairy Tale of New York” by the Pogues!! Love this song. And you’re right, definitely a country feel to it.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
I love "Fairy Tale of New York." Definitely some good ones coming up, with a couple of obvious ones.
2 people like this
• Preston, England
4 Dec 17
I love this song, it suggests the Elvis guy is less of a liar than the would-be boyfriend
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
I know. She was such a great lyricist. Johnny Marr once said that both she and Morrissey were so lyrical that it pushed him when he was writing the music.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325755)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Dec 17
A fun song indeed.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
It is. It's got a total country vibe. Like you said, fun!
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Dec 17
Another song that I've never heard. I thought she sounded quite country, in a way.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
4 Dec 17
Oh yes, it does have a definite country vibe.
1 person likes this