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
Love Is Strange
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many people take it for a game
Once you've had it you're in an awful fix
'Cause after you've had it you never want to quit
A lot of people, they don't understand
They think lovin' is money in their hand
Your sweet lovin' is better than a kiss
Love, oh woh, love is strange
Many people, oh woh, take it for a game
Once you've had it, oh woh, you're in an awful fix
'Cause after you've had it, oh woh, you never want to quit
A lot of people, woh woh, they don't understand
They think lovin', oh woh, is money in their hand
Your sweet lovin', oh woh, is better than a kiss
When you leave me, oh woh, those kisses I will miss
When you leave me, oh woh, those kisses I will miss
Those kisses I will miss, those kisses I will miss
Those kisses I will miss
The song "Love Is Strange" by Everything But the Girl is a cover of the 1956 hit single by Mickey & Sylvia. The song describes the confusing and addictive nature of love, warning that once you have experienced it, you can never truly let it go. The lyrics emphasize that a lot of people don't understand the true value of love, thinking it can be bought with money. However, the feeling of being loved, and giving love, is more powerful than anything else.
The tone of the song is bittersweet, with the singer reflecting on the pain of losing someone they love. The repetition of the phrase "those kisses I will miss" emphasizes the longing and sadness that comes with a love lost. The song's slow, melancholic melody adds to the feeling of heartbreak and longing.
Overall, "Love Is Strange" is a poignant reflection on the joys and sorrows of loving someone deeply, and how that love can linger long after the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love is strange
Love is a confusing and unpredictable emotion
Many people take it for a game
Many people treat love as something trivial or unimportant
Once you've had it you're in an awful fix
Once you've experienced true love, it's difficult to let go of
'Cause after you've had it you never want to quit
Love is addictive and makes you want more
A lot of people, they don't understand
Many people are ignorant about the true nature of love
They think lovin' is money in their hand
Some people equate love with material possessions or monetary gain
Your sweet lovin' is better than a kiss
The affection and care that comes with love is more meaningful than a simple physical gesture
When you leave me those kisses I will miss
When love is absent, the longing for physical and emotional connections is intensified
Those kisses I will miss, those kisses I will miss
The absence of love and intimacy leaves a void that is difficult to fill
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARION MARIE HALL, ORVILLE BURRELL, ALPHANSO BAKER, ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind