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  • Bedsit Disco Queen

  • How I Grew Up and Tried to Be a Pop Star
  • By: Tracey Thorn
  • Narrated by: Tracey Thorn
  • Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (171 ratings)
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Bedsit Disco Queen cover art

Bedsit Disco Queen

By: Tracey Thorn
Narrated by: Tracey Thorn
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Summary

The Sunday Times top ten bestselling memoir of Tracey Thorn's 30-year pop career with Marine Girls and Everything But The Girl, and her collaborations with Paul Weller, Massive Attack and Todd Terry.

'I was only sixteen when I bought an electric guitar and joined a band. A year later, I formed an all-girl band called the Marine Girls and played gigs, and signed to an indie label, and started releasing records. Then, for eighteen years, between 1982 and 2000, I was one half of the group Everything But the Girl. In that time, we released nine albums and sold nine million records. We went on countless tours, had hit singles and flop singles. I've seen myself described as an indie darling, a middle-of-the-road nobody and a disco diva. I haven't always fitted in, you see, and that's made me face up to the realities of a pop career.'

From post-punk teen-band rivalry in suburban Hertfordshire to international chart-topping success via a shared bedsit in Hull, and three decades of touring and making music, this is the funny, perceptive and candid true story of how Tracey Thorn grew up and tried to be a pop star.

©2013 Tracey Thorn (P)2014 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about Bedsit Disco Queen

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Everything but the juicy bits.

What did you like best about Bedsit Disco Queen? What did you like least?

Lots about this book was fab. The early years, sticking out as odd in Suburbia, Popstar Tracy at Hull Uni, buying a guitar and signed a year later with the Marine Girls. But as with most celeb biogs it's the "missing" bits that are most felt. The whole story was overly padded out with verbatim reviews from various magazines such as NME and Q Magazine. I wanted to get inside her head rather than into the cuttings file.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I learnt lots about the Indie scene I hadn't really followed at the time and enjoyed the refreshing take on parenting while on tour. Milk and Haribo on the rider etc. The reviews and diary entries went too far though. It did feel a bit like an undergraduate overly quoting and foot-noting references in a first year essay. A lot of people will find this bit fine. Especially fans.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the bit where George Michael turns up in his Chelsea tractor on the school run. While Tracy felt embarrassed I couldn't help wondering what kind of school the ex-red wedge girl was sending her kids to. Strangely, finance is hardly discussed in the book - something that might be none of the reader's business. But how soundly does a millionaire bedsit disco queen sleep at night given her past principles??

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Yes. The soundtrack would be amazing.

Any additional comments?

My review sounds a bit harsh, but I did really enjoy the listen. I was entertained, amused and informed. The musical interludes were a fantastic addition that really complemented each chapter. As with most autobiographies the writer seems like a closed book. Over reliance on old diary phrases and press cuttings and even quotes from her partner's book in place of genuine revelation from the heart. In the end, hugely listenable but not enough juicy bits.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly engaging

Honest, engaging and enjoyable throughout. Only a peripheral EBTG fan, but still loved it. Found it strangely soothing. A really nice balance of personal and professional stories delivered with a generous dose of humility. Recommended (especially if you grew up thru the same times). Recommended...even if you didn't.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great!

very good autobiography. well worth a listen . Tracey narrates it beautifully. wish it was longer.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The voice of a popstar queen

What did you like most about Bedsit Disco Queen?

The voice of Tracey not only can her voice sing but for sure a characterises the essence of her personal and music performance though a part of her life.

What did you like best about this story?

Being made away the full depth and detail of this part of her life both personal and professional. I followed this enlightening story with the experience of Tracey Thorn, her name had cropped up from time to time in various parts of my musical history.
One of Tracey's latest piece of music I took interest in was, were Tracey had collaborated with a dance music producer named Stuart Price (Thin White Duke) and the time had produced Madonna's last album.

What does Tracey Thorn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

This to me makes that difference, her voice characters simply reflect so well to this part of her life tourney. Totally makes it the little more special to the listener reader.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

In some respects yes yet more toward common interest.

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed this story and will probably take up with it again sometime later in this year. Worth every penny money well spent and I have it for keeps. I recommend Tracey story to anyone especially if you have a keen interest in the music scene from her time as a music performer. And yes, I would love to Tracey, "Yeah babe always a pop star no doubt.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nostalgic, poetic and a great story

Tracy Thorn’s story was such a treat, especially if you lived through the eighties music scene ….. this was such a joy….

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story. Didn’t want it to end

I’m too young to know about the early part of Tracey Thorn’s career but found the whole book absolutely wonderful. Such an interesting life and such interesting insights into the nature of life. As I read it, I listened to the relevant albums of the time. Whether you know her music or not, you’ll love this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good for anyone who is interested in music

Tracey along with many of her contemporaries is not a natural broadcaster or story teller and once you adjust to that the book is an easy and fulfilling listen.

I appreciated its neutral approach, there is a very balanced and natural flow to book, its not looking to score points, or grandstanding, its simply recounting a life full of ups & downs but underpinned by self belief and the desire to chase a dream.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must listen for EBTG fans

Enjoyed listening to Tracy describing the highs and lows of pop stardom, delighted she found contentment in life on her own terms

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A brilliant book

Having been an Everything But The Girl fan since about 1985 I was fascinated to discover Tracey's early life and influences, how the Marine Girls came together, and how she met and started making music with Ben. Tracey is a very engaging and honest narrator of her music career ups and downs. Her account of the personal side of their lives including Ben's illness and her desire to have children was moving and gave me the explanation of the career gaps. I strongly recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

If you love music & musicians you will love this

Gives a music lover an insight into how bands are formed and make music. Insiteful.

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