Named after a Chinese friend whose name sounds like the Mandarin pronunciat… Read Full Bio ↴Named after a Chinese friend whose name sounds like the Mandarin pronunciation of "bandstand," the Ting Tings -- a scrappy, dance-oriented duo consisting of singer/guitarist Katie White and drummer Jules De Martino -- formed in the Salford district of Manchester, England in 2006. Prior to forming the group, the pair worked together in 2001 when White was in the all-female punk-pop group TKO and De Martino wrote some songs for them. Later the pair reunited, and with another friend formed the trio Eskimo Kiss, which signed to Mercury Records but disbanded, in part due to changing personnel at the label. De Martino and White regrouped, working on their own music and others' at Salford's music commune The Islington Mill. Quickly signed to the local indie label Switchflicker Records, the Ting Tings released their debut single, "That's Not My Name," in the spring of 2007. Following the limited-edition, tour-only single "Fruit Machine," the Ting Tings signed to major-label Columbia later that year. The flipside of the Switchflicker single, "Great DJ," was released as the duo's debut Columbia single in March 2008, followed by the reissue of "That's Not My Name" with a new exclusive B-side remix.

"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."

Fine & Dandy
The Ting Tings Lyrics

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You know that town outside a city
Well, it's a town outside that town
It's probably the last place on this earth that you would want to be
But it's the best place to feel aground

Fine and dandy, look what I did, don't want you 'round here
Fine and dandy, oh, now, all the pearls that I'm wearin' feel so ridiculous
Fine and dandy indeed

Well, there's a place inside that town
That you've been to many times
And it's brought you in and fixed you up but this time I offer and you're out of luck
And it's the purest I have found

You're not fine and dandy, and look what I did, won't make it disappear
You're not fine and dandy, oh, now all the frills and the fine stuff feel so ridiculous
When you're, you're not fine and dandy

Pulls me back by the hair as your blue eyes roll back there
We know it's not fine and dandy, yeah, we know it's not fine and dandy
Yeah, it pulls me back by the hair as your blue eyes roll back there
And we know it's not fine and dandy, yeah, we know it's not fine and dandy

The only thing that's beautiful is wearing your Sunday best
We can only watch you while you're sleeping, what's become of all the rest?
Oh the only thing that's beautiful is to wear your Sunday best
We can only watch you while you're sleeping, what's become of all the rest?

Fine and dandy
Fine and dandy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Fine & Dandy" by The Ting Tings talk about a small town that is considered undesirable or overlooked by many. It's described as a place that may be the last on Earth that someone would want to be, but it's also the best place to feel grounded. This could suggest that while it may not have the glamour or excitement of a city, it offers a sense of stability and authenticity.

The chorus of the song expresses a sense of confidence and self-assurance. The singer asserts that they are "fine and dandy" and doesn't want the other person around. They mention wearing pearls and fine things, which they find ridiculous now. This could symbolize a rejection of materialistic values or a newfound realization that material possessions are not what truly matter.

The second verse introduces another location within the town, a place the other person has been to many times before. It's described as a place that has helped and fixed them before, but this time the singer offers it to the other person, who is out of luck. This suggests a shift in power dynamics and a refusal to be taken advantage of.

The bridge of the song talks about being pulled back by the hair as the person's blue eyes roll back, implying a toxic or manipulative relationship. It emphasizes that things are not fine and dandy, and there is an awareness of the unhealthy dynamic. The song ends with a reflection on beauty and the loss of something that was once valuable, perhaps highlighting the contrast between appearances and substance.

Overall, "Fine & Dandy" seems to explore themes of self-assertion, rejecting superficial values, and recognizing toxic relationships. It encourages the listener to prioritize authenticity and self-worth over external validation.

Line by Line Meaning

You know that town outside a city
You are familiar with the town located outside the city

Well, it's a town outside that town
Actually, it is a separate town situated outside the previous town

It's probably the last place on this earth that you would want to be
This particular place is likely the least desirable location for you

But it's the best place to feel aground
However, it is the ideal place to feel grounded and connected

Fine and dandy, look what I did, don't want you 'round here
I am perfectly happy and content with my current situation, and I do not desire your presence in this area

Fine and dandy, oh, now, all the pearls that I'm wearin' feel so ridiculous
Even though I seem to be doing well, the luxurious items I possess now seem absurd and meaningless

Fine and dandy indeed
I affirm that everything is truly fine and satisfactory

Well, there's a place inside that town
However, within this town, there exists another specific place

That you've been to many times
A place you have visited numerous occasions in the past

And it's brought you in and fixed you up but this time I offer and you're out of luck
It used to provide you with support and assistance, but now when I extend my help, you are unfortunate and rejected

And it's the purest I have found
Nevertheless, it remains the most genuine and untainted option available

You're not fine and dandy, and look what I did, won't make it disappear
You are not in a happy and carefree state, and no matter what I have done, I cannot make your troubles vanish

You're not fine and dandy, oh, now all the frills and the fine stuff feel so ridiculous
Your current situation does not bring you joy, and the excessive adornments and luxurious things appear meaningless to you

When you're, you're not fine and dandy
In times when you are not in a positive and content state, you cannot be described as fine and dandy

Pulls me back by the hair as your blue eyes roll back there
I feel compelled and drawn backward forcefully, as I witness the despair reflected in your eyes

We know it's not fine and dandy, yeah, we know it's not fine and dandy
We acknowledge and understand that the situation is not positive and ideal

The only thing that's beautiful is wearing your Sunday best
The only aspect that brings beauty is when you dress in your finest attire

We can only watch you while you're sleeping, what's become of all the rest?
We can only observe you while you rest, but we wonder what has happened to all the other aspects of your life

Fine and dandy
Everything is good and satisfactory

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Katie White, Jules De Martino

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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