Kirsty MacColl was a British singer-songwriter born on October 10, 1959, in Croydon, England. She gained fame in the 1980s and 1990s for her distinctive voice and clever lyrics. MacColl is best known for her hit songs like "Tide Is High," a cover of a The Paragons song, and "They Don't Know," which was later covered by Tracey Ullman. Throughout her career, MacColl collaborated with various artists, including Billy Bragg and The Pogues. Tragically, she passed away on December 18, 2000, in a boating accident in Mexico. Her music continues to influence many artists and remains popular among fans.