"That's Not My Name" rose to the top of the U.K. charts in May 2008, the same month that the duo's debut album, We Started Nothing, appeared. The Ting Tings spent the rest of 2008 and a large part of 2009 touring in support of the album, which eventually sold over two million copies worldwide, won the 2009 Ivor Novello Award for Best Album, and earned the group a Best New Artist Grammy nomination that December. Early in 2010, De Martino and White moved to Berlin to work on songs for their second album. Inspired by the city's atmosphere and the cold weather, they went in a darker, more electronic direction with their new songs. In August 2010, the Ting Tings offered a taste of their new material, premiering the single "Hands" -- which was mixed by Calvin Harris -- on BBC Radio 1 and officially releasing it that October. After extensive touring and over eight months recording in Germany and Spain, in March 2012 the Ting Tings offered their sophomore album, Sounds from Nowheresville, a collection of songs inspired by the exuberant freedom of the Beastie Boys' classic Paul's Boutique. Two years later, third album Super Critical surfaced. Its October release date was preceded by the April release of first single "Wrong Club."
- That's Not My Name
The Ting Tings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue
And I I keep stalling, keeping me together
People around gotta find something to say now
Holding back, everyday the same
Don't wanna be a loner
Listen to me, oh no I never say anything at all
But with nothing to consider they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)
They call me 'Bell'
They call me 'Stacey'
They call me 'her'
They call me 'Jane'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet girl'
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
I miss the catch if they throw me the ball
I'm the last chick standing up against the wall
Keep up, falling, these heels they keep me boring
Getting glammed up and sitting on the fence now
So alone all the time at night
Lock myself away
Listen to me, I'm not
Although I'm dressed up, out and all with
Everything considered they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)
They call me 'Bell'
They call me 'Stacey'
They call me 'her'
They call me 'Jane'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet girl'
But I'm a riot Mary-Jo-Lisa
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
Are you calling me darling?
Are you calling me bird?
Are you calling me darling?
Are you calling me bird?
They call me 'Bell'
They call me 'Stacey'
They call me 'her'
They call me 'Jane'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet girl'
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'Bell'
They call me 'Stacey'
They call me 'her'
They call me 'Jane'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet girl'
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'Bell'
They call me 'Stacey'
They call me 'her'
They call me 'Jane'
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me 'quiet girl'
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
Always the same
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
That's not my name
The Ting Tings's song "That's Not My Name" tells the story of a person who is fed up with being called different names and not being recognized by their own name. They use a "four-letter word" just to get by, but it's a struggle to bite their tongue and keep stalling every day to avoid being a loner. They dress up glamorously but are still called the wrong names, and they feel invisible, leading them to lock themselves away at night. This person is frustrated with being labeled as someone they're not and wants to be recognized for who they truly are. The repetition of "That's not my name" serves as a powerful statement that the person's name holds great significance to their identity.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of alienation one feels when they're consistently called by the wrong names, or when their identity is marginalized or misunderstood. The singer in the song feels frustrated and isolated, with every attempt to correct others leading them to hit a dead end. The chorus is an empowering anthem that affirms the importance of personal identity and the desire to be seen for who one truly is.
Line by Line Meaning
Four letter word just to get me along
I use a simple word to get through my difficult days.
It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue
I struggle with something and have to hold back my words.
And I I keep stalling, keeping me together
I keep delaying, trying to stay composed.
People around gotta find something to say now
Others feel the need to comment about me.
Holding back, everyday the same
I hold back my thoughts and feelings every day.
Don't wanna be a loner
I don't want to be alone.
Listen to me, oh no I never say anything at all
Despite never speaking up, I want to be heard.
But with nothing to consider they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)
When there's nothing memorable about me, people forget my name.
They call me 'Bell'
People call me by various names ('Bell' being one).
They call me 'Stacey'
People call me by different names ('Stacey' being one).
They call me 'her'
People call me by other names ('her' being one).
They call me 'Jane'
People call me by multiple names ('Jane' being one).
That's not my name
None of those names are actually mine.
They call me 'quiet girl'
People label me as the 'quiet girl.'
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
But I'm actually a wild and fun person (with various names like Mary, Jo, Lisa).
Always the same
People always make the same assumptions about me.
I miss the catch if they throw me the ball
I often miss out on opportunities if they're not handed to me.
I'm the last chick standing up against the wall
I'm often left alone or excluded.
Keep up, falling, these heels they keep me boring
Trying to keep up with others is tiring and draining, and my appearance seems to limit me.
Getting glammed up and sitting on the fence now
I'm dressing up and trying to blend in, but I feel stuck in a middle ground.
So alone all the time at night
I often feel lonely at night.
Lock myself away
I keep myself isolated.
Although I'm dressed up, out and all with
Even though I'm trying to look my best and be outgoing.
Everything considered they forget my name (ame, ame, ame)
Despite everything, people still forget my name.
Are you calling me darling?
Are you addressing me with affection?
Are you calling me bird?
Are you addressing me with a term typically used for women?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KATIE WHITE, JULES DE MARTINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beepIL
If you are interested at what the drummer sings in the background at 2:56, here are the lyrics:
This song was in my head, now it's in my mind,
Call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing,
Though I realize, I cannot emphasize,
I'll stick around, but just a promise, nothing binding,
However can't you see, that you're so desperately,
A standing joker like a vocal one-liner,
Instead of sing-along, this song is monotone,
I gotta get some soul, gotta get some feeling....
@RhiButler
This song was in my head
And now it's in my mind
Call it reach it get some words and get some timing
And though I realize
I can't emphasize
I'll stick around, but just don't promise, nothing binding
But, baby, can't you see
That you're so desperately
A standing joker like a vocal one-liner
Instead of sing-a-long
This song is monotone
I've gotta get some soul, I gotta get some feeling
@5StarMashups
For those wondering what the guy was singing along in the chorus:
This song was in my head
Now it's in my mind
Call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing
And though I realize
I cannot emphasize
I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding
And baby, can't you see
That you're so desperately
A standing joker like a vocal one-liner
Instead of sing-a-long
This song is monotone
I've gotta get some soul, I gotta get some feeling
@richybrummy8036
She would save us a lot of time by just telling us her name.
@LogicControl
😂🤣😂🤣
@johndclegg38
It's not Tina???
@doggolovescheese1310
Haaah
@CalridRobnor123srs
@@doggolovescheese1310 Katie White but I think you're missing the point... :P
@doggolovescheese1310
@@CalridRobnor123srs why are you tagging me...and she was making a joke
@ramosa999
I'm 63 and heard this song for the first time on one of my SiriusXM stations two days ago. It's pretty catchy, so I added it to my playlist, which includes songs from the 1950's, all the way up to the past couple of years. Good music is always being made.
@Nuj-rx8wk
This is 14 years old mate. You were still in your 40s when this got out.
@lchoi9955
Absolutely agree!
@ramosa999
@@Nuj-rx8wk I said "I added it to my playlist, which includes songs for the 1950's, all they way up to the past couple of years". I didn't say this song was from the past couple of years.