"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."
Be the One.
The Ting Tings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's what you're thinkin' of
Well I think it's just an excuse
It's what you put across
And I don't wanna be the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
So make sure you're thinkin' it through
You've let me down again
Offer me somethin'
I know you really meant
And I don't wanna be the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
Makin' all the noise
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
Hey!
What you gonna offer now?
And I don't wanna be the one
Only overjoyed
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
Makin' all the noise
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
Hey!
What you gonna offer now?
What you gonna offer now?
What you gonna offer now?
This was not my idea
Don't you keep me waitin'
This was not my idea
Don't you keep me waitin'
This was not my idea
Don't you keep me waitin'
The Ting Tings's song "Be the One" from their debut album "We Started Nothing" is about the frustration and disappointment that comes with unfulfilled promises. The song's narrator implies that the person she's speaking to is all talk and no action, making excuses for their lack of follow-through. She wants to see them offer something real and genuine, not just words that never materialize into tangible actions. The repeated line "I don't wanna be the one" suggests that she doesn't want to be the only one invested in the relationship or friendship, making all the effort or noise. The lines "This was not my idea, don't you keep me waitin'" reveal her frustration at being strung along and waiting on someone else's unreliable promises.
The song's upbeat and catchy melody belie its underlying message of disappointment and frustration, which is fitting for a band known for pairing danceable beats with introspective and often melancholic lyrics. The lyrics also speak to the universal experience of dealing with unreliable people and feeling let down by those we thought we could count on. The repetition of the phrase "What you gonna offer now?" further emphasizes the singer's demand for action and results, not just empty promises.
Line by Line Meaning
You say it's not what you do,
You claim that the thoughts in your mind matter more than your actions,
It's what you're thinkin' of
You believe that your intentions are more significant than what you actually do,
Well I think it's just an excuse
However, I view that as a mere justification for your actions,
It's what you put across
The way you appear and present yourself matters more than the thoughts in your mind,
And I don't wanna be the one
I do not want to be the person who,
Only overjoyed
Is only happy in the moment,
Yeah I don't wanna be the one
I do not want to be the person who,
Makin' all the noise
Creates all the commotion and drama,
So make sure you're thinkin' it through
Therefore, be careful in considering all aspects before making a decision,
You've let me down again
You have disappointed me once more,
Offer me somethin'
Provide me with something tangible,
I know you really meant
That you truly intend to fulfill your promise,
Hey!
Hey! Listen up!
What you gonna offer now?
What do you have to offer now?
This was not my idea
I did not initiate this plan,
Don't you keep me waitin'
Do not make me wait any longer,
Hey!
Hey! Listen up!
What you gonna offer now?
What do you have to offer now?
What you gonna offer now?
What do you have to offer now?
What you gonna offer now?
What do you have to offer now?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULIAN DE MARTINO, KATIE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ellie grace
this album is still 100% gold
Kelly Baxter
It really is.
Martindie
Glorious 2007 🙌🏻🙌🏻
bc a
Still
Carlos Gutierrez Trejo
agreed and underrated
EVAN ADRIEN
💜
Glenn Bill
One of the most underrated songs ever!!!
Charles Dawson
+Glenn Bill Never seen this before. I think you are right!
Charles Dawson
Glenn Bill
Me too!
Cairn Douglas
+Glenn Bill, TRUE DAT xD