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
Me and Bobby D
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You told the world, "Be free, love life"
Tell me, is it true you beat your wife?
You see, me and Bobby D don't get along that easily
You told the world, "Skip rules fave fun"
Knocked her from here to kingdom come?
How many girls have you had today?
And how many bottles have you downed today?
Go to sleep Bobby D, here's a kiss
Don't worry your pretty head about this
Me and Saint Jack K never had too much to say
It's easy driving with your feet
With some good ol' girl in the passenger seat
Watching the road all day
"Oh honey, what funny things you do say"
But while you're out of your head
Who's making the bed?
Go to sleep Bobby D, here's a kiss
Don't worry your pretty head about this
Go to sleep Saint Jack K
Don't worry your tiny head today
Me and old Bobby D don't get along that famously
A savior and a seer? Maybe
But he never meant that much to me
Sure, I'd love a wild life
But every wild man needs a mother or wife
The seven seas you roam
And who's waiting at home?
The above lyrics are the portrayal of a conflicted relationship between the singer and two famous men, Bobby D and Saint Jack K. The lyrics suggest that the singer has reservations about the behavior of Bobby D, who is referenced as a wild man with a history of violence against women. The singer seems to be questioning the image Bobby D portrays to the world and hints towards a possible dark reality behind his carefree facade. In contrast, the singer paints Saint Jack K as someone who never had much to say and overall seems not to have left a great impression on the singer.
The lyrics are painted with a sense of rebellion and angst, where the singer's desires of a wild life are hampered by society's traditional expectations of a mother or wife to provide stability and grounding. The singer is yearning for a liberated, exciting life but is conflicted with societal obligations.
The song is a commentary on the complexities of society and expectations, and rebellion against such expectations in favor of a more thrilling and liberated life. It's about the struggle of wanting to break free from societal norms but also questioning the morality of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and Bobby D don't get along that easily
Bobby D and I have a hard time getting along
You told the world, "Be free, love life"
You proclaimed to everyone the importance of living freely and enjoying life
Tell me, is it true you beat your wife?
I'm questioning whether or not the rumors are true that you physically abused your wife
You see, me and Bobby D don't get along that easily
As I previously mentioned, Bobby D and I don't get along well
You told the world, "Skip rules fave fun"
You advocated for disregarding rules and having fun
Knocked her from here to kingdom come?
Did you cause her physical harm or injury?
How many girls have you had today?
I'm curious about how many women you've been with today
And how many bottles have you downed today?
I'm also wondering how much alcohol you've consumed today
And while you're on the skids, who's minding the kids?
While you're struggling, who's taking care of your children?
Go to sleep Bobby D, here's a kiss
I'm telling Bobby D to go to sleep and giving him a kiss
Don't worry your pretty head about this
I'm reassuring Bobby D not to worry about anything
Me and Saint Jack K never had too much to say
Saint Jack K and I did not communicate much
It's easy driving with your feet
Metaphorically, living recklessly and without care for the consequences is easy
With some good ol' girl in the passenger seat
Having a companion to share in the recklessness and fun makes it more enticing
Watching the road all day
Spending the day doing nothing but living in the moment
"Oh honey, what funny things you do say"
The passenger enjoys the driver's lighthearted and carefree comments
But while you're out of your head
When you're not thinking rationally or acting responsibly
Who's making the bed?
Who is taking care of practical, everyday tasks while you're preoccupied with wild living?
Go to sleep Bobby D, here's a kiss
Again, telling Bobby D to go to sleep and giving him a kiss
Don't worry your pretty head about this
Reiterating that Bobby D doesn't need to worry about anything
Go to sleep Saint Jack K
Now telling Saint Jack K to go to sleep
Don't worry your tiny head today
Reassuring Saint Jack K to not worry about anything
Me and old Bobby D don't get along that famously
Bobby D and I still don't have a great relationship
A savior and a seer? Maybe
Describing Bobby D as a possible leader or visionary
But he never meant that much to me
Despite his status and reputation, he never held much importance to me personally
Sure, I'd love a wild life
Admitting that living without regard for rules or consequences is appealing
But every wild man needs a mother or wife
Reminding that even wild men need someone to care for them or support their lifestyle
The seven seas you roam
You live a vastly adventurous life, traveling far and wide
And who's waiting at home?
Who is at home waiting for you while you're out living wild and free?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: THORN, WATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind