Ben met Tracey when they were at Hull University and she was singing in pop girl-band Marine Girls. Ben contributed a photograph, for a forthcoming album cover, after which, the pair became partners (later getting married). They formed Everything But the Girl in 1982, the name inspired by a Turner's Furniture advertising slogan (a popular store near the university). For a period, Tracey was active in both bands and the album with Ben's photo materialised, Lazy Ways (Apr 1983), which was to be Marine Girls' last. EBTG soon achieved national success and singles from The Language of Life (1990), got VH-1 airtime - heralding USA notoriety.
Once internationally established, they successfully achieved one of the greatest stylistic changes in modern music; originally a 'folk-pop with jazz influences' band, their fortunes changed with Amplified Heart (Jul 1994) and Todd Terry's successful remix of its track "Missing" (Aug 1994). Since then, EBTG have become more widely known as an electronic act, with Walking Wounded (May 1996), being a well-received example of their metamorphosed sound.
As of 1999, EBTG as a duo are currently on hiatus, as the couple raise their children, out of the public eye. Watt is a very successful club DJ, Buzzin Fly label-manager and remixer, releasing several 'Lazy Dog' mix compilations (named after his London-based deep house night).
Thorn's 2006 collaboration with Tiefschwarz, on the underground hit song "Damage", seems to have re-awoken her artistic spirit and she released a second solo album, Out of the Woods (Mar 2007).
As of March 2023 evidence that the hiatus will end soon emerges in an interview with Alexis Petridis, in which the release date of the new album 'Fuse' is given as 21 April. This new music was first mentioned by Tracy Thorn on twitter in late 2022, and now it emerging, with 2 new singles already released
Alison
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
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And with the way you look I understand
That you are not impressed.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
Take off your party dress.
I'm not going to get too sentimental
Like those other sticky valentines,
Cause I don't know if you've been loving somebody.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
Well I see you've got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
In the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand.
I'll bet he took all he could take.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
When I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
Cause I can't stand to see you this way.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true
The lyrics to Everything But the Girl's "Alison" tell a story about a man who encounters an old flame after a long time apart. He notices that she doesn't seem impressed with him and wonders if she has been loving someone else. He references a "little friend" who apparently helped her out of her party dress, and insinuates that she may have slept with him. The man then asks Alison about her husband, and whether he left her fingers in the wedding cake. The song seems to suggest that Alison is struggling, with the world having a negative impact on her. The chorus brings the song together, with the man telling Alison that his aim is true.
The song tells a story that many people can relate to; reuniting with an old flame and wondering what their life has been like since you last saw them. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic, leaving some parts of the story up to interpretation, and allowing the listener to create their own version of the events. The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, with the repetition of "Alison, I know this world is killing you" emphasizing the struggles that Alison is facing. The use of the word "my" in "Alison, my aim is true" suggests that the man still cares for her, and perhaps wishes that he could do more to help her.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
It's ironic to see you after a while
And with the way you look I understand that you are not impressed.
Based on your appearance, I can tell you're unimpressed
But I heard you let that little friend of mine take off your party dress.
I heard from somebody that you let my friend remove your party dress
I'm not going to get too sentimental like those other sticky valentines, cause I don't know if you've been loving somebody.
I won't get too sentimental like other love letters, as I'm not sure if you're in love with someone else
I only know it isn't mine.
But I do know it's not me
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
I know that the world is making you suffer, Alison
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My intention is genuine, Alison
Well I see you've got a husband now.
I notice that you're married now
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying in the wedding cake?
Did he smear cake on your fingers during the wedding?
You used to hold him right in your hand. I'll bet he took all he could take.
You used to have him under your control. I bet he had enough of it
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking when I hear the silly things that you say.
Sometimes I want to stop you from speaking when I hear your silly comments
I think somebody better put out the big light, cause I can't stand to see you this way.
Somebody should turn off the bright light, as I can't bear to see you like this
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
I know that the world is making you suffer, Alison
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My intention is genuine, Alison
My aim is true
I am honest and sincere in what I say
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind