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
Apron Strings
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hanging empty
Crazy things
My body tells me
I want someone to tie to my lonely
Apron strings
Apron strings
Pretty things
That I could call you
I want someone to tie to my lonely
Apron strings
He'd look just like me when I was young
And I wonder as the days unwind
Will he have your eyes or mine
Then I wake up to my
Apron strings
Cold and lonely
For time brings
Thoughts that only
Will be quiet when someone clings to my
Apron strings
And I'll be perfect in my own way
When you cry I'll be there
I'll sing to you and comb your hair
All your troubles I will share
For apron strings
Can be used for other things
Than what they're meant for
And you'd be happy wrapped in my
Apron strings
The lyrics of Everything But the Girl's song Apron Strings speak to the singer's longing for someone to tie to their apron strings, to no longer be alone. The image of apron strings hanging empty is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of waiting and unfulfillment. The singer's body is telling them they want someone to be tied to their apron strings, a metaphor for wanting a partner to lean on and share their life with.
As the song progresses, we learn that the singer's desire for someone to be tied to their apron strings is a desire for a child. They wonder what their child will look like and what traits they will inherit. The central theme of the song is the longing for connection and love, and the power of relationships to bring comfort and happiness.
Overall, Apron Strings is a poignant and beautifully written song about the universal desire for love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Apron strings
The metaphorical representation of being tied to someone and seeking comfort and love
Hanging empty
Feeling alone and without companionship
Crazy things
The desperate desire to find someone to fill the emptiness and loneliness
My body tells me
The yearning for a connection at a physical and emotional level
I want someone to tie to my lonely
The longing for someone to be there and create a loving bond
Waiting for you
The anticipation of finding the right person
Pretty things
The hope of having a beautiful and fulfilling future with that person
That I could call you
The desire to have someone to love and call your own
He'd look just like me when I was young
Imagining what a future child might look like
And I wonder as the days unwind
Contemplating what the future holds and if it will be filled with happiness and love
Will he have your eyes or mine
Speculating on what features a future child might inherit
Then I wake up to my
The harsh reality of being alone
Cold and lonely
Feeling isolated and uncared for
For time brings
The realization that time keeps passing by
Thoughts that only
Overthinking and dwelling on negative, lonely thoughts
Will be quiet when someone clings to my
The hope that being with someone will ease the negative thoughts and emotions
And I'll be perfect in my own way
Accepting and loving oneself for who they are
When you cry I'll be there
Being there for someone when they are upset and need support
I'll sing to you and comb your hair
Offering acts of affection and care
All your troubles I will share
Being a supportive partner and sharing the burdens of life
Can be used for other things
The realization that apron strings, a symbol of domesticity and conventionality, can represent much more
Than what they're meant for
Going beyond societal expectations and creating a unique kind of love
And you'd be happy wrapped in my
The promise of finding happiness and solace within a non-traditional relationship
Apron strings
The reaffirmation that the desire for love and companionship shapes our yearnings and insecurities
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACEY THORN, BEN WATTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peaceloveharmony7213
Love this song. And I can sing the album version and harmonize with this one.✌🏼🤠
@MR-cb7pe
Why would anyone give this beautiful song a thumbs down?
@garyfellows1977
Some people have no taste
@jjj379
Saw She's Having A Baby today in HBO. This song came up. Speechless...just speechless...Tracey's voice. There are no words to describe.
@JamesHarris-hl2bm
This brings back so many memories! This is the original version, and it's the best version.
@LTRIVERA32
Thank you Soooooooooo Much for posting this in HD quality. xoxo 💗💖💟💝. Love this song and the movie "She's having a baby".
@Rfoz51
That movie was where I first heard it - makes me cry
@keithmcintyre6403
I start crying before the song starts...
@andrewcorrie8936
Me too
@CEPAIVA
Thank you for posting this gem for our soul !