Terry

Album: Golden Lights (1964)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Twinkle, whose real name was Lynn Annette Ripley, was the only UK female singer of her generation to write her own material. This haunting debut single was recorded by Twinkle at the age of 16. The song tells a morbid story of two lovers fighting, resulting in the biker boyfriend roaring off on his motorcycle to his inevitable death, and accusations of bad taste led the BBC to ban the single. Despite or maybe because of the controversy, it became a Top 5 hit for the teenage singer-songwriter. Her follow-up single, "Golden Lights," was one of the first Pop songs to question the value of success. It peaked at #21, after which Twinkle's star faded. The Surbiton singer-songwriter retired in 1966, but after The Smiths covered "Golden Lights" for their 1987 compilation album, Louder Than Bombs, Twinkle undertook some live appearances.
  • Future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page was one of the session musicians who played on this track.
  • Twinkle conceived "Terry" at age 14 when a pack of rockers overtook her father's chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce. She scribbled down the lyrics during a French lesson at school.
  • A few Twinkle fun facts:

    Her father, Sydney Ripley, was Conservative chairman of the Surrey county council.

    Twinkle attended the private Queen's Gate girls' school, where her classmates included Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

    Twinkle married Graham Rogers, "the man in black" in the Cadbury's Milk Tray ads.

Comments: 1

  • Paul Osman from Liverpool, EnglandSome would say this was a copy of the Shangri Las Leader Of The Pack, on the same morbid theme It is possible that this British song was composed independently as not every USA band was well known in the UK. When LOTP was re released in the UK in 1972 Twinkles song was forgotten, as the Shangri Las song was more dramatic. Anyway I hope Twinkle and Terry met up again at heavens gate.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.