12 December 1999
Macy Gray made a surprise return to the news on our side of the Atlantic in July 2022 when she appeared on a British controversialist’s news opinion show and gave her views on trans women and their participation in sport. Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) are a support and advocacy group for the rights of trans people in Ireland; you can find out more about their work, read about the issues and experiences faced by our trans family, neighbours and friends, and make a donation, at teni.ie
Gray’s other recent media appearances include her talking about the bullying she experienced due to her distinctive voice. I think we can all agree that we should celebrate the complex diversity of different bodies and the people in them, rather than make uninformed and hurtful comments. ‘I Try’ is certainly dominated by Gray’s raspy vocals, but this only adds to the charm of a sweet, slightly offbeat pop song. The highlight is the middle section, where Gray spins the heretofore neat verses and chorus out into a lovelorn, world-weary swoon: “Here is my confession / May I be your obsession”. Even the rather forced climactic key change is saved by Gray’s joyful whoops and hollers. One hopes Macy Gray and her future public utterances will return to the bright, open-hearted, optimistic vibe of ‘I Try’.
