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
Single
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I haven't dialed this code before
I'm sleeping later and waking later
I'm eating less and thinking more
And how am I without you?
Am I more myself or less myself?
I feel younger, louder
Like I don't always connect
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
I'll put my suitcase here for now
I'll turn the TV to the bed
But if no one calls and I don't speak all day
Do I disappear?
And look at me without you
I'm quite proud of myself
I feel reckless, clumsy
Like I'm making a mistake
A really big mistake
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking of
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
The lyrics of "Single" by Everything But the Girl (EBTG) are those of a person contemplating the struggles of being alone after a breakup. The persona in the song calls the ex-lover, whom they have not dialed before, from a hotel phone, one where they are eating less, sleeping later, and thinking more. The singer asks insightful questions about their newfound freedom, whether they are more or less themselves without the other person, and whether they enjoy being single before returning.
The singer wonders if they'll disappear if no one calls them or if they do not communicate with the world they left behind. The singer further suggests that, without the other person, they now act like a teenager, loud and impulsive or reckless, like they could make a big mistake at any moment. They then pose a question, "do you want me back?," to their ex-lover repeatedly, indicating that they, too, may not be certain of what they want.
The lyrics to "Single" by EBTG represent the challenges that come with the aftermath of a relationship. Still, they also piece together the upbeat and happy persona that can come with newfound freedom. The songtstress, Tracey Thorn herself, noted that the song was more philosophical, which became more pertinent as people, especially young people, started to view relationships differently.
Line by Line Meaning
I called you from the hotel phone
I reached out to you via the hotel phone
I haven't dialed this code before
I am not used to dialing this phone code
I'm sleeping later and waking later
I'm staying up later and waking up later than usual
I'm eating less and thinking more
I'm eating less food and thinking more deeply
And how am I without you?
I'm wondering how I'm doing without you in my life
Am I more myself or less myself?
I'm questioning if I am being true to myself without you
I feel younger, louder
I feel more youthful and expressive
Like I don't always connect
I feel disconnected from the people around me at times
Like I don't ever connect
I sometimes feel like I never truly connect with others
And do you like being single?
I wonder if you are happy being single
Do you want me back?
I'm curious if you still have feelings for me and if you want me to return
I'll put my suitcase here for now
I will temporarily store my suitcase in this location
I'll turn the TV to the bed
I will reposition the TV so I can watch it from my bed
But if no one calls and I don't speak all day
If no one reaches out to me and I don't talk to anyone, then
Do I disappear?
Am I forgotten and insignificant to the world?
And look at me without you
I am assessing how I'm doing without you
I'm quite proud of myself
I am pleased with my personal growth and achievements
I feel reckless, clumsy
I have been taking risks and may make mistakes
Like I'm making a mistake
I fear that the decisions I'm making may be wrong
A really big mistake
A mistake that could have significant consequences
And now I know
I have realized something important
Each time I go
Whenever I leave this place
I don't really know
I'm uncertain about
What I'm thinking
What thoughts are going through my mind
Do you want me back?
I am still wondering if you want me to come back
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN WATT, TRACEY THORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@henriqueramos3197
"Single"
Release Date: 1996
[Verse 1]
I called you from the hotel phone
I haven't dialed this code before
I'm sleeping later and waking later
I'm eating less and thinking more
And how am I without you?
Am I more myself or less myself?
I feel younger, louder
Like I don't always connect
Like I don't ever connect
[Chorus]
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
[Verse 2]
I'll put my suitcase here for now
I'll turn the TV to the bed
But if no one calls and I don't speak all-day
Do I disappear?
And look at me without you
I'm quite proud of myself
I feel reckless, clumsy
Like I'm making a bad mistake
A really big mistake
[Chorus]
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
[Bridge]
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking of
[Outro]
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Produced By Ben Watt
Written By Tracey Thorn & Ben Watt
Album WALKING WOUNDED (1996)
@henriqueramos3197
"Single"
Release Date: 1996
[Verse 1]
I called you from the hotel phone
I haven't dialed this code before
I'm sleeping later and waking later
I'm eating less and thinking more
And how am I without you?
Am I more myself or less myself?
I feel younger, louder
Like I don't always connect
Like I don't ever connect
[Chorus]
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
[Verse 2]
I'll put my suitcase here for now
I'll turn the TV to the bed
But if no one calls and I don't speak all-day
Do I disappear?
And look at me without you
I'm quite proud of myself
I feel reckless, clumsy
Like I'm making a bad mistake
A really big mistake
[Chorus]
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
[Bridge]
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking of
[Outro]
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Produced By Ben Watt
Written By Tracey Thorn & Ben Watt
Album WALKING WOUNDED (1996)
@juicycro
I called you from the hotel phone
I haven't dialed this code before
I'm sleeping later and waking later
I'm eating less and thinking more
And how am I without you?
Am I more myself or less myself?
I feel younger, louder
Like I don't always connect
Like I don't ever connect
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
I'll put my suitcase here for now
I'll turn the TV to the bed
But if no one calls and I don't speak all day
Do I disappear?
And look at me without you
I'm quite proud of myself
I feel reckless, clumsy
Like I'm making a bad mistake
A really big mistake
And do you like being single?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And do I like being single?
Am I coming back?
Am I coming back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking
And now I know
Each time I go
I don't really know
What I'm thinking of
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
Do you want me back?
@jasonscott8265
All these years later and this song still moves me. As long as I live this album will be one of my all time favorites...
@BrianCarnevaleB26
A Band ahead of its time. Songs from the edge of the world-
@ArpisRoh
Hear! Hear!
@AvicSubfusca
This track is timeless. Been playing it for decades and it still feels fresh.
@iamdamonturner
heard it for the first time tonight and it is TIMELESS!!!!!
@chrisburton8079
Tracey’s voice is so soulful and Melancholy vibe that nobody can get anywhere near these days
@Aramanth
The song is deeply moving... an ode to loneliness...
Tracey's vulnerable yet strong vocal delivery lends
real gravity to the isolation of a break-up. The video
is odd and out of place. A missed opportunity here.
Maybe if it was stop motion or just shots of isolated
exterior locales or just a live performance... something.
It at least doesn't steal from the song's intensity. 📞💔
@God-Love-Freedom
The original low fi chill music. But it's still relevant. More than ever.
@guillaumesandmayer7053
Tracey & Ben are just a sheer example of coupled musical excellence.
@mortezazamani2454
I just ran into this song, and I love it. My second favorite is "missing". She is absolutely awesome.