They played soulful, funky pop jazz and were initially signed to Phonogram Records' Mercury imprint. The first came to notice of the UK music and style press when they hooked up with photographer Andy Warhol for the video of the 1986 single Misfit. This featured the band in New York and at one point featured Ben Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot dancing down a side street whilst Andy Warhol referenced Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by dropping pieces of white card in time to the music (an efect that would also be copied by INXS in the Mediate of 1988).
Their debut album Keep Your Distance entered the British charts at number one in May 1987, and stayed in the Top Ten for 13 weeks, however the release of that album's "Free" lost some of the momentum by limping to only Number 56 in the UK charts.
The bands second album Getahead was lead by an upbeat funky track called "Name and Number". Even though this record only reached Number 14 in 1989, the "Hey How You Doin'" refrain would find itself in the Top Ten two years later as part of the De La Soul song "Ring Ring Ring (Hey Hey Hey)".
After the lack-leisure performance of Getahead and second single First Place, Curiosity (as they were now billed) found themselves dropped from Mercury Records. However three years after the release of that single they returned to the UK Top Ten as a three piece on RCA Records, with a cover of Johnny Bristol's Hang on in There Baby. However the band's follow ups (covers of I Need Your Lovin' and Gimme the Sunshine) flopped in the UK, which resulted in the album Back to Front only being released in Japan and selected overseas markets.
In the 2000s the band reformed for an appearance on a National Lottery midweek show on BBC 1 and since then Ben Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot has toured under the name Curiosity Killed the Cat on a number of 1980s revival packages.
Since Curiosity disbanded, Ben has, by request, continued to perform both live and in the studio and has recently teamed up with dance supremos "Element" (AKA Bimbo Jones) who have already produced remixes for the likes of Deep Dish, Usher and The Bodyrockers. They are also the co production duo responsible for "Meck's" "Thunder In My Heart Again".
Band members
Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot (vocals; * 19 May 1965)
Julian Brookhouse (guitar; * 15 May 1963)
Nick Thorp (bass; * 25 October 1964)
Miguel Drummond (drums; * 27 January 1964)
Name And Number
Curiosity Killed the Cat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello
Hey, how you're doin'
I'm sorry you couldn't get through
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded
Especially for you
And if you leave a name and your number
We'll get right back to you
When the bleeps are through
ho, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I sure wish you hurry home
I think I'm lost and
I wanna be found
Feels like I'm wondering round nowhere land
All I'm after is to see your sunshine smilin' laughter
I feel like calling you, feel like some contact
I feel like phonin', but I can't get through I can't
Hey, how you're doin'?
I'm sorry you couldn't get through
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded
Especially for you
And if you leave a name and your number
We'll get back right to you
You can leave a message now if you want to When the bleeps are through
Oh yeah
Tonight I fall so wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
I'm trapped in a timelock zone Gonna have to face this on my own
Still gonna wonder round that nowhere land
And all I'm holding is one side of a silver collar coin
That is movin' in appearance, yeah
But it's peanuts in value,
I say Silver in appearance 'cause I still can't get through
Hey, how you're doin'? So sorry you couldn't get through
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded (Especially for you)
God knows you
So I decide maybe my time it ain't so good (Angel)
Playing me late now (I kiss you)
And how am I gonna do a lot to hear a human say I won't play
No, won't play now I'm not play
I'm gonna take this time to find out can you get back on wanted, ohohohoho
(Name and number)
Yes, I'm in a stoneshow, name and number, gonna change
(Name and number)
Hey, how you're doin'?
I'm sorry you couldn't get through
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded
Especially for you
And if you leave a name and your number
We'll get right back to you
You can leave a message if you want to When the bleeps are through
Oh yeah Oooh, yeah, bye, bye
I'm gonna play, play
(Name and number)
I wanna take this chance
I'm gonna find romance
I'm gonna play
Oh yeah
Get right back to you
Oho, yeah
Until that I'm gonna stay away, away
Name and number
Take this chance
I'm goin' round and dance I'm gonna play
Hey, yeaheah
Leave your name, yeaheah
The song "Name and Number" by Curiosity Killed the Cat is a soulful, funky track that expresses the desire to connect with someone special. The opening lines show that the singer has missed a call and is returning it: "Hello, hello, hey, how you're doing? I'm sorry you couldn't get through." The message they are leaving, though recorded, is "especially for you," emphasizing the personal and intimate nature of the communication.
As the song continues, it becomes clear that the singer is feeling lost and disconnected without this person's presence: "Feels like I'm wandering 'round nowhere land, all I'm after is to see your sunshine smiling laughter." The second verse has a similar theme, with the singer struggling to get through to their love interest: "I feel like phoning, but I can't get through I can't." They are holding onto a token of the relationship, a silver collar coin, but even that seems to hold little value without the connection they seek.
The chorus, with its repeated invitation to leave a name and number and the promise to get back to the listener, reinforces the idea that communication and connection are key to solving the singer's problems: "Hey, how you're doing? I'm sorry you couldn't get through, 'cause this is a message that's been recorded especially for you." Overall, the song is a plea for human connection and a reminder that sometimes we need to reach out and make the effort to communicate with the people who matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello
Opening greeting
Hello
Repeating greeting
Hey, how you're doin'
Asking about the listener's well-being
I'm sorry you couldn't get through
Apologizing for not being available
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded
Explaining that the listener has reached an answering machine
Especially for you
Emphasizing that the message is specifically for the listener
And if you leave a name and your number
Encouraging the listener to leave a message
We'll get right back to you
Promising a return call
You can leave a message now if you want to
Reiterating that the listener can leave a message
When the bleeps are through
Explaining when the listener can start recording
ho, yeah
Exclamatory interjection
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetitive interjection
I sure wish you hurry home
Expressing a desire for the listener to return
I think I'm lost and
Feeling disoriented
I wanna be found
Desiring to be connected with the listener
Feels like I'm wondering round nowhere land
Feeling aimless and lost
All I'm after is to see your sunshine smilin' laughter
Desiring the listener's happiness
I feel like calling you, feel like some contact
Desiring communication with the listener
I feel like phonin', but I can't get through I can't
Expressing frustration with not being able to contact the listener
Tonight I fall so wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
Feeling like things are not going well
I'm trapped in a timelock zone Gonna have to face this on my own
Feeling isolated and facing challenges alone
Still gonna wonder round that nowhere land
Continuing to feel aimless and lost
And all I'm holding is one side of a silver collar coin
Having something that seems valuable but is insignificant
That is movin' in appearance, yeah
The insignificant thing seems promising
But it's peanuts in value, I say Silver in appearance 'cause I still can't get through
Realizing that the promising thing is not actually valuable and still unable to contact the listener
God knows you
Acknowledging the listener's presence in the world
So I decide maybe my time it ain't so good (Angel)
Reflecting on personal struggles
Playing me late now (I kiss you)
Choosing to prioritize personal connections
And how am I gonna do a lot to hear a human say I won't play
Desiring human connection
No, won't play now I'm not play
Choosing to prioritize personal connections over other activities
I'm gonna take this time to find out can you get back on wanted, ohohohoho
Using the time to reflect on the relationship with the listener
(Name and number)
Repeating the message's request for the listener's information
Yes, I'm in a stoneshow, name and number, gonna change
Changing the message's wording but still requesting the listener's information
Hey, how you're doin'?
Returning to the opening greeting
I'm sorry you couldn't get through
Repeating the apology
'Cause this is a message that's been recorded (Especially for you)
Reiterating that the message is a recording for the listener
Hey, yeaheah
Expressive interjection
Leave your name, yeaheah
Reiterating the message's request for the listener's information
Oooh, yeah, bye, bye
Saying goodbye in a sing-song manner
I'm gonna play, play
Choosing to have fun or engage in activities despite personal struggles
I wanna take this chance
Desiring to take risks or pursue opportunities
I'm gonna find romance
Desiring romantic connections
Until that I'm gonna stay away, away
Choosing to avoid personal connections for a period of time
Name and number
Repeating the message's request for the listener's information
Take this chance
Encouraging the listener to pursue opportunities
I'm goin' round and dance I'm gonna play
Choosing to have fun or engage in activities despite personal struggles
Contributed by Adeline H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben V-Pierrot
on Who Are You
Bravo BigMan! V.Good rendition...... Believe me or not - People think Mr J POC was recruited for assistance; though the truth is he totally COPIED the CKtC drummers pattern AND being friends with our producer (Nathan East.) decided to Rhythm Section 'guest'....... Bless the bones of the legend XB