"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."
Estranged
The Ting Tings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't unchoose, I can't unchange
I can't unpack, I can't unlose
I can't unfake you've caused no pain
What are we going to do, me and you?
I guess it's just different points of view
But I can't gain perspective
When you appear so unaffected
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
Does estranged feel strange? Estranged feels strange
When I never was a fighter and I don't want to blame
It's not the same as an argument
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
Now I can't relate, I can't feel safe
I can't retain, I can't stay the same
I can't even say your name, I count the days
I cannot stand this bitter taste
So, what's the problem
Between us two?
'Cause I can't find perspective
When I still feel so connected to you
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
I wish we had a fight, or reasons to hate
That always ends with an argument
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
I can't undo, I can't unsee
I can't unchoose, I can't unchange
I can't unpack, I can't unlose
I can't unfake you've caused no pain
What are we going to do, me and you?
I guess it's just different points of view
But I can't gain perspective
When you appear so unaffected
(Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange)
Estranged feels strange
(Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange)
Estranged feels strange
Yeah, I wish we had a fight, or reasons to hate
That always ends in an argument
(Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange)
The Ting Tings' song "Estranged" explores the confusion and hurt caused by a relationship where both parties feel disconnected from each other. The lyrics express the inability to undo or forget the pain caused by the other person, and the struggle to gain any kind of perspective on the situation. The repetition of "Estranged feels strange" emphasizes the sense of disorientation and discomfort that comes with feeling disconnected from someone who was once close.
The first verse conveys the frustration of being unable to move on from the pain caused by the other person, with lines like "I can't unpack, I can't unlose" and "I can't unfake you've caused no pain." The second verse introduces the idea that the singer no longer feels safe or comfortable in the relationship, but still feels a connection to the other person that makes it hard to gain any distance or perspective. The chorus repeats the idea that feeling estranged from someone you were once close to is a strange and uncomfortable experience, and that it would almost be easier if there were clear reasons to fight or argue.
Overall, "Estranged" captures the confusing and disorienting experience of feeling disconnected from someone who was once a significant part of your life. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the discomfort and strangeness of this feeling, while the verses delve into the specifics of the pain and frustration involved.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't undo, I can't unsee
I am unable to forget or erase what happened in the past
I can't unchoose, I can't unchange
I cannot reverse or alter the choices or actions I have made
I can't unpack, I can't unlose
I am unable to go back and fix what has been lost or broken
I can't unfake you've caused no pain
I cannot pretend that you did not hurt me even though you believe you did not cause any pain
What are we going to do, me and you?
What steps can we take as individuals or as a unit to move forward from our current situation?
I guess it's just different points of view
We are looking at the situation from different angles or perspectives, which makes it difficult to find common ground
But I can't gain perspective
It is hard for me to fully understand and empathize with your perspective and mindset
When you appear so unaffected
Seeing that you seem unfazed by what happened confuses me and adds to the difficulty of gaining perspective
Estranged feels strange, estranged feels strange
Feeling disconnected and distant from someone you were once intimate with is an unsettling feeling
Does estranged feel strange? Estranged feels strange
Confirming and emphasizing the feeling of discomfort and confusion that comes with estrangement
When I never was a fighter and I don't want to blame
I have never been confrontational or aggressive, and I do not want to put the blame on either of us for what happened
It's not the same as an argument
This feeling of estrangement is different from a typical argument or disagreement
Now I can't relate, I can't feel safe
I am struggling to find common ground and feel secure with you after what happened
I can't retain, I can't stay the same
I am having trouble maintaining the same feelings and connection with you that I once had
I can't even say your name, I count the days
Your name and the hurt we caused each other haunts me and I find myself counting the days since our last interaction
I cannot stand this bitter taste
The pain and negativity associated with our situation is unbearable
So, what's the problem between us two?
Trying to pinpoint what specifically caused the estrangement and how we can move forward
'Cause I can't find perspective
I am still struggling to fully understand and see from your point of view
When I still feel so connected to you
Despite our current situation, I still feel a deep connection and attachment to you
I wish we had a fight, or reasons to hate
Having a clear reason for the estrangement would make the situation easier to understand and move forward from
That always ends with an argument
A fight or disagreement would at least provide closure and a clear resolution to the situation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jules De Martino, Katie White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FALEH ALYAMI
Her voice is spectacular! 3 years later and this song still gives me goosebumps everytime i listen to it.
Fran Carabajal
I'm so glad they're doing new music. My teenage years were all about 'We Started Nothing' and 'Sounds From Nowheresville', this makes me feel nostalgic.
christofyre
This is easily one of the best songs the Ting Tings have ever done, and they’ve done plenty of amazing tunes...
Gobierno de Costa Rica [OFICIAL]
3:48 the whole buildup they do is simply magnificent. The burst causes lots of chills.
JSWI Meaden
Bloody hell! This is a sensational number - one of their best. Clearly this is a band that has matured in style and substance over the years; they seem to just keep getting better and better. Amazing work J&K. ❤
shandya
Different than how The Ting Tings I remembered. It's darker & more emotional. I love it!
Flickan i det krökta rummet
it's brilliant. I realised this friday, at a wedding, what a bitch I can be. I've known the bride for 10 years but had no idea that Goldfrapp and The Ting Tings are her favourite bands. so embarrassing. so I'm catching up here on youtube and I love it.
Emanuele Freitas
I totally agree.
Daniel Stovall
Ting
Marius Vasile Harangus
@Flickan i det krökta rummet a