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
Downhill Racer
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look it's downhill all the way from here
Getting there is quicker like going you just slide
Shouldn't take more then a year
I could almost like you
Now it's nearly over
Now you've shown some weaknesses
And I heard what you said
And I recognize those feelings
I know how hard it is to watch you go
And all the effort that it took to get here in the first place
And all the effort not to let the effort show
And I could almost like you
Now you're falling over
Now you're feeling hopeless
Now you're looking over your shoulder
Who's gonna come and find you?
Who's coming up behind you?
If you can ride the backlash
There's still time for a comeback
You don't have to lie down and die
But Lazarus only did it the one time
He couldn't face another try
And I could almost like you
Now it's really over
Now you've shown some weakness
Now you're looking over your shoulder
Who's gonna come and find you?
And who's coming up behind you?
The song "Downhill Racer" by Everything But the Girl explores the idea of ambition, success, and the inevitable failures that come with it. The lyrics describe a situation where someone has achieved success and is now looking back at the effort and sacrifices it took to get there. The imagery of a downhill race suggests that the person is now on the decline and their success is fading away.
The first verse describes the initial success and how easy it was to get there. However, the second verse suggests that success is fleeting and that the person's weaknesses are starting to show. The line "And all the effort not to let the effort show" suggests that maintaining success requires just as much effort as achieving it. The chorus repeats the line "And I could almost like you" indicating that despite the person's flaws, there is still a desire to connect with them and be supportive. However, the final two lines of each chorus shift the focus to the person's future and the uncertainty of who will be there to support them when they are no longer on top.
The bridge of the song suggests that there is still hope for a comeback but that it requires facing the backlash of failure. The final verses return to the theme of uncertainty and questioning who will be there for the person when they are no longer successful. The repetition of the line "Who's gonna come and find you" highlights the loneliness and isolation that can come with fame and success.
Overall, "Downhill Racer" is a poignant exploration of the price of success and the inevitable failures that come with it. It creates a sense of empathy for those who have achieved success and are now facing the decline and uncertainty of their future.
Line by Line Meaning
From the top you can see so far into the distance
From a higher standpoint, you are able to comprehend more about the future.
Look it's downhill all the way from here
The journey ahead is easy and will require no effort.
Getting there is quicker like going you just slide
It is easy to reach your destination without making any substantial effort.
Shouldn't take more then a year
It will not take more than a year to reach your destination.
I could almost like you
I had the potential to like you.
Now it's nearly over
Our relationship is almost at an end.
Now you've shown some weaknesses
You have revealed some of your flaws and vulnerabilities.
Now you're looking older
You appear older than you did before.
And I heard what you said
I listened to what you had to say.
And I recognize those feelings
I understand those emotions you are experiencing.
I know how hard it is to watch you go
It is difficult to see you leave.
And all the effort that it took to get here in the first place
It required a lot of effort to reach this point.
And all the effort not to let the effort show
I tried hard not to show how much effort it took.
Now you're falling over
You are experiencing failure.
Now you're feeling hopeless
You have lost all hope.
Now you're looking over your shoulder
You are anxious and uncertain about what may be behind you.
Who's gonna come and find you?
Who will come to your aid?
Who's coming up behind you?
What challenges are imminent?
If you can ride the backlash
If you can endure the negative consequences.
There's still time for a comeback
There is still an opportunity for you to succeed.
You don't have to lie down and die
You do not need to give up completely.
But Lazarus only did it the one time
Lazarus was only able to resurrect once. It was not an easy feat to accomplish multiple times.
He couldn't face another try
It was too difficult for him to attempt it again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN WATT, TRACEY THORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind