Gwenno and Ani Saunders were singers in the group with Gwenno occasionally taking to the keyboard.
The Pipettes, at that time consisting of Julia Clark-Lowes, Rose Elinor Dougall, and Becki Stephens and their backing band, The Cassette, formed at a seaside party in Brighton in 2003 and entertained audiences with their trademark polka dot dresses, doowop anthems and choreographed hand movements.
Their first major single, Dirty Mind, reached #61 in the UK singles charts with the follow-up, Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me, reaching #35 in April 2006. Their album, We Are the Pipettes, was released on 17th July including the new single, Pull Shapes which reached #26 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart, after being released on 3rd July. We Are the Pipettes reached #41 in the album charts after its first week of release. Judy was the 4th single to be released from We Are the Pipettes; it failed to reach the UK Top 40, coming in at #46. However, it did reach #1 on the Indie Chart.
In 2005, The Pipettes completed successful headline tours in the UK and Europe, as well as high-profile support slots with The Magic Numbers, Graham Coxon, British Sea Power and The Go! Team, that has won them fans in high places including Radio One DJ Huw Stephens, and Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe.
A very small tour of America took place in early 2007; every show played was sold-out, culminating in six successful showcases at SXSW 2007. A tour of the UK and Europe in April and May 2007 was followed by a tour across north america, coinciding with the release of the EP Your Kisses are Wasted on Me in the US which reached #5. Through summer 2007 they played a number of festivals in Europe and Japan. October saw a tour of North America, although delayed by visa difficulties, along with the US launch of We Are The Pipettes, including two new songs. A Japanese launch followed with a Japanese tour in December, and 2008 was seen in by the band with a mini-tour in Australia.
In February 2008, Gwenno and Becki appeared at several events without Rose, namely a DJ set in Glasgow and three gigs with Mark Ronson in Brighton and London, leading to speculation that he would be producing their second album.
On April 18th 2008, The Pipettes announced the departure of Rose and Becki, meaning that the group now featured none of the original singers. They were replaced with Ani (Gwenno's sister) and a BRIT School graduate, Anna McDonald. They also reported they were currently demoing twenty to twenty-five new songs with a view to recording their second album in the summer of 2008.
The new lineup made its debut at Corsa Presents Bandstand with Mark Ronson on May 3rd 2008. The band performed Because It's Not Love (But It's Still A Feeling).
On November 12th 2008, the band announced another departure; this time of Anna, who had only been in the band for seven months. Anna's unexpected decision to leave and concentrate on her songwriting meant the band had to cancel their appearance at Sŵn Festival.
On February 11th 2009, the band posted a video blog on their website to introduce the newest Pipette, Beth Mburu-Bowie. With Beth, they are currently finishing work on their second album.
Previous members of the band include Julia Clark-Lowes (now of The Indelicates), Rose Elinor Dougall, Becki Stephens, Joe van Moyland (now of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong) and Anna McDonald.
http://www.thepipettes.co.uk
abc
The Pipettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But he don't know how to move me
He knows about the sonic spectrum damnit
But he don't know if it's groovy
He knows about
A-B-C-1-2-3-X-Y-Z
But he don't know about X-T-C
Ain't in any of his categories
Kind of tall and kind of shy
He's always asking me why
He's always got his head in a book
He doesn't care how I look
He cares about
A-B-C-1-2-3-X-Y-Z
But he don't know about X-T-C
A-B-C-1-2-D-Even I
Ain't in any of his categories
He's the kind of guy
who knows just what he knows
He's the kind of guy
who oh-oh-oo-oh-oh-oh
A-B-C-1-2-3-X-Y-Z
But he don't know about X-T-C
A-B-C-1-2-D-Even I
Ain't in any of his categories
A-B-C-1-2-3-X-Y-Z
But he don't know about X-T-C
A-B-C-1-2-D-Even I
Ain't in any of his categories
The Pipettes' song "ABC" is about a guy who is knowledgeable about different things but clueless when it comes to the singer. He knows all about the movements of the planets and the sonic spectrum, but he can't seem to figure out how to impress her. The chorus states that he knows the basics - A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, X, Y, Z, but he doesn't know about XTC, which could be a reference to the drug or the band. The singer also says that she isn't in any of his categories - meaning that he can't seem to understand or appreciate her.
The verses introduce more characteristics about the guy, portraying him as shy and studious. He is always reading, even when the singer is around, and he doesn't care about her appearance. The chorus is repeated a few times, with the singer emphasizing that the guy is limited in his knowledge and understanding of her.
Overall, the song seems to be about frustration with someone who can't seem to understand or connect with the singer. Despite his intelligence, he fails to impress her and doesn't understand what she's really looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
He knows all about the movements of the planets
He knows a lot about science and astronomy, but he doesn't understand my emotions or how to connect with me.
But he don't know how to move me
Despite his vast knowledge, he cannot make me feel anything, emotionally or physically.
He knows about the sonic spectrum damnit
He is aware of the science behind sound and music, but it doesn't necessarily mean he can appreciate good music.
But he don't know if it's groovy
He may understand the technical aspects of music, but he doesn't have the ability to connect emotionally with the rhythms and melodies that make music really enjoyable.
He knows about A-B-C-1-2-3-X-Y-Z
He's well-educated and understands common knowledge and basic information.
But he don't know about X-T-C
However, he's not aware of the less conventional world of drugs like ecstasy.
A-B-C-1-2-D-Even I
Even though I may know the basic information he does, I'm still a unique individual with my own identity and experiences.
Ain't in any of his categories
He puts people into categories based on their education or knowledge, but I don't fit into any of his preconceived notions.
Kind of tall and kind of shy
He's introverted and doesn't express himself very well.
He's always asking me why
He's curious about the world and wants to understand the people in it.
He's always got his head in a book
He's interested in learning and growing intellectually.
He doesn't care how I look
His attraction to someone is not based on physical appearance, but rather their intellect and interests.
He's the kind of guy who knows just what he knows
He has a fixed mindset and only focuses on the knowledge he's acquired, rather than learning about new things or considering other perspectives.
He's the kind of guy who oh-oh-oo-oh-oh-oh
He has a very specific personality that doesn't mesh well with others.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: QUINCY JEFFERSON, OLIVER KARAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@expoctme
IT'S
BEEN
YEARS
AND I FINALLY FOUND THIS SONG AGAIN I'M SO FREAKING HAPPY
Edit: I rediscovered it again. I'm wondering how do I keep forgetting this song and group and keep struggling to find them. What even is my memory.
@abdurahmane3219
Me too!!!
@fantasymels
Happy for you too
@fukawei
I think you watched a lot of alphabet videos
@khoriross
They are absolutly my favorite group of the moment.
@lucasgarcia177
Enseguida tuve recuerdos de aquel lejano 2007
@lau92
I really like their 60's style ;D really cool!
@laken001
This song/viedo is the ultimate! I 1st heard of them on "What the Buck"!
@theimperfectcrafterny
my 3 year old is in love w/ this!
@ellixxer7844
NO WAY IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS SONG FOR YEAAAAARS