"Four Letter Word" is the fourth single from the Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...

 album Close

Close (album)

Close is the sixth studio album by Kim Wilde, released in mid 1988.Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain, Close was the final album on which Marty Wilde had co-writer credits...

.

It was released at the end of 1988 — the year that had seen Wilde release a best-selling album, have four international hits (including the chart-topping "You Came

You Came

"You Came" is the second single from the Kim Wilde album Close.The single became one of the biggest hits of her long career. Although it did not continue her US success, it topped charts throughout Europe and reached #3 in the UK Singles Chart....

") and support Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...

 on the European leg of his world tour.

"Four Letter Word" marked the first occasion in Wilde's then eight-year career where she released a straight ballad as a single. It also marked her last release of a song written by her father

Marty Wilde

Marty Wilde is an English singer and songwriter. He was among the first generation of British pop stars to emulate American rock and roll, and is the father of pop singers Ricky Wilde, Kim Wilde and Roxanne Wilde.-Career:Wilde was performing under the name Reg Patterson at London's Condor Club in...

 and brother (who had written the majority of her early hits together, including the pop classic "Kids in America

Kids in America (song)

"Kids in America" is a New Wave song by British singer Kim Wilde, released in the United Kingdom as her debut single in January 1981, and in the US in 1982. It has famously been covered by many artists from different genres.-Background:...

)". It became her third consecutive UK Top 10 single from "Close", reaching number 6.

An extended version as well as an acoustic remix of "Four Letter Word" were released as a 12" and CD-single.

Chart performance

Chart (1988)	Peak position
UK	6
Ireland	5
Netherlands	8
Switzerland	18
Austria	23
Germany	27