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
Take Me
Everything But the Girl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, baby, baby
I'm lonely, can't you see?
Baby, baby, baby
Come give your love to me
'Cause I'm just a prisoner
Before you turn around
Take one look at me
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time?
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time
Before you go?
Baby, baby, baby
Chained and bound, can't you see?
Baby, baby, baby
Chained and bound, can't you see?
'Cause I'm just a prisoner
Don't set me free
Before you turn around
Take one look at me
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time?
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time
Before you go?
'Cause I'm just a prisoner
Don't set me free
Before you turn around
Take one look at me
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time?
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time?
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time?
Take me in your arms
Won't you love me one more time
Before you go?
Baby, baby, baby, come
Baby, baby, baby
Baby, baby, baby
The lyrics to "Take Me In" by Everything But the Girl are about a person who is feeling lonely and trapped. They are begging their lover not to leave them, asking to be held one more time before they go. The lyrics use imagery of being a prisoner, chained and bound, to emphasize this feeling of captivity. The repetition of the phrase "take me in your arms" highlights the desperation of the singer's desire for love and comfort.
The song has a melancholy tone, but it also conveys a sense of hopefulness. The singer is holding onto the idea that their lover will come back to them and that they will be able to find happiness together once again. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of feeling isolated and longing for connection, making it a relatable and emotional song.
Overall, "Take Me In" is a poignant and powerful song that explores themes of love, loss, and loneliness. Its simple yet effective lyrics and emotional delivery have made it a classic in the world of alternative pop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't go, don't go, don't go
Please don't leave me
Baby, baby, baby
My significant other
I'm lonely, can't you see?
I feel very alone without you
Come give your love to me
Please show me your affection
'Cause I'm just a prisoner
I am trapped in this love
Don't set me free
Don't let me go
Before you turn around
Please listen to what I have to say
Take one look at me
Just take a glance in my direction
Take me in your arms
Hold me close
Won't you love me one more time?
Please show me your love one last time
Chained and bound, can't you see?
I feel trapped by my emotions
'Cause I'm just a prisoner
I am not a free agent
Before you go?
Please don't leave just yet
Baby, baby, baby, come
Please come to me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MACK DAVID, RUBE BLOOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Everything But The Girl
More music from Everything But The Girl: https://EBTG.lnk.to/Stream
winterlongone
This song and all of EBTG in the 90's is the playlist of that decade of my life. Ben and Tracey were perfection.
FergieInVA
Not a fan of their 80s output?
Mr. Manaog
EBTG's Language of Life is a collector's item. Every piece in this album counts.
Sharon Mah
If there was a fire this is the album I will run back to the house to get. Love this album to death! Who's listening in 2023?
Jeffrey Barkin
Superb Songwriting with sensitivity to modern relationships.
BEN and TRACEY's lyrics have many stories that we can easily identify with.
Thank You for your memorable work EBTG and hoping that you'll Tour Again, soon...
Basil Maher
I absolutely love Everything But The Girl as they are one of my favorite bands. They are underrated and far underappreciated, especially here in the United States. I was fortunate enough to see them live in NYC twice, once at Roseland Ballroom and the other time at Hammerstein Ballroom. Tracey's voice is like heaven.
This song got me into Womack & Womack as they wrote this tune for their "Starbright" album released in 1986. I also love Womack & Womack, but I feel the EBTG cover version is far superior than the original. However, you should still check out Womack & Womack's version, as well as some of their other popular songs such as "Teardrops," "Love Wars" and "Baby I'm Scared of You," all of which can be found here on YouTube.
FiveFish Audio
Wow, didn't know this is a cover.
M. K.
I also love EBTG - I saw them in Osaka in the 1990s and they were incredible live. Tracey and Ben together, are perfection!
Basil Maher
@M. K. That's awesome. I am so looking forward to their new single being released this month and their new album later this spring.