The music video featured an appearance from actor and comedian Ade Edmondson, who played MacColl's rejected boyfriend who got her back after fighting off a rival man.

"Terry" was specifically written for Tracey Ullman to record; however, MacColl ended up doing her own version at the request of her label as part of an intended album of "teen ballads".

"[5] Upon its release, Robin Smith of Record Mirror wrote, "A superbly atmospheric voice on a pretty torrid tale of out of reach love.

"[7] Sandy Robertson of Sounds noted that MacColl "re-emerges with typically off-the-wall-of-sound naive pop/love stuff" and concluded, "Fluff with potential in a Mari Wilson world.

[1] Frank Edmonds of the Bury Free Press gave the song a 5 out of 10 rating and wrote, "Appalling teenage drama which would be funny if the tune didn't stick in your throat so much.