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"The Word Girl"
Single by Scritti Politti
from the album Cupid & Psyche 85
B-side	"Flesh & Blood"
Released	29 April 1985 (1985-04-29) (UK)
Recorded	December 1984
Genre	Lovers rock reggae
Label	Virgin (UK)
Songwriter(s)	Green Gartside David Gamson
Producer(s)	Scritti Politti
Scritti Politti singles chronology
"Hypnotize" (1984) "The Word Girl" (1985) "Perfect Way" (1985)
Music video
"The Word Girl" on YouTube

"The Word Girl" is a song by the British pop band Scritti Politti. Included on their second studio album, Cupid & Psyche 85, the reggae style track was released as a single in the UK on 29 April 1985 and remains the band's highest charting hit in the UK, peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video was directed by John Scarlett-Davis and produced by Nick Verden at Aldabra Films for Virgin Records.

The B-side to the single, "Flesh & Blood", is an alternative version of the song with Lovers Rock and Conscious Roots Reggae chanter Ranking Ann on vocals.

Critical reception

Spin called it a "bubbling reggae ditty. Sort of like Bryan Ferry, only infinitely more sophisticated."

Chart performance

References

1. Lewis, John (2016). "Scritti Politti - Cupid And Psyche 85". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 543.
2. Reynolds, Simon (January 1, 2005). "New Gold Dreams 81-82-83-84: The Peak and Fall of New Pop". Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984. Faber & Faber. p. 418. ISBN 0-571-21570-X. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
3. ^ Richard Gehr (September 1985). "Spins". Spin. No. 5. p. 29.
4. Melody Maker. London, England: IPC Media: 4. 27 April 1985. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
5. ^ "Official Charts - Scritti Politti". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 267. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
7. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1985". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
8. "dutchcharts.nl". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
9. "NZ chart archive". Retrieved 1 October 2017.

External links

• "The Word Girl" at Discogs (list of releases)

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• v
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• 1985 songs
• 1985 singles
• Scritti Politti songs
• Virgin Records singles
• Songs written by Green Gartside
• Songs written by David Gamson
• British reggae songs
• 1980s pop song stubs