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Preview
  • 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 (172 ratings)

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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
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What listeners say about Bedsit Disco Queen

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

I never knew

Tracey writes and reads a fantastic story I now want to explore more. I wish I had stuck to my guns like Ben and Tracey I think life would be so much different today. I found this book to ne inspiration for my final years.

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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
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Surprisingly interesting

Really enjoyed this, an insight into the ups and downs of the pop star business.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great!

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

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Grounded and memorable

I was a 'fan' of EBTG and have always thought that Tracey Thorn's unique voice was generally under-appreciated. So too her written word - this should be a classic. It romps along slowly, tells its story and then moves on - brilliant, moving and well worth a credit.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Really warm

A terrific book which benefits from the audio book format by using the artists music to illustrate and add colour to the events described. I sometimes struggle to get to the end of audio books but not this one. The authors warmth and character shine through. I would highly recommended this to anyone who grew up in the 80s or just enjoys learning more about the realities of the music industry.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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    4 out of 5 stars
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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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