"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
They call me, "Hell"
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, "Hell" (this song was in my head)
They call me, "Stacey" (now it's in my mind)
They call me, "Her" (call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing)
They call me "Jane"
That's not my name (and though I realize I cannot emphasize)
That's not my name (I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding)
That's not my name
That's not my name
They call me, "Quiet girl" (and baby, can't you see, that you're so desperately)
But I'm a riot
Mary, Jo, Lisa (a standing joker like a vocal one-liner)
Always the same
That's not my name (instead of sing-a-long)
That's not my name (this song is monotone)
That's not my name (I've gotta get some soul)
That's not my name (I gotta get some feeling)
Are you calling me, darling?
Are you calling me bird?
They call me, "Hell" (are you calling me darling?)
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" (are you calling me bird?)
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, "Hell" (this song was in my head)
They call me, "Stacey" (now it's in my mind)
They call me, "Her" (call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing)
They call me, "Jane"
That's not my name (and though I realize)
That's not my name (I cannot emphasize)
That's not my name (I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding)
That's not my name (so alone all the time and I lock myself away)
They call me, "Quiet girl" (and baby, can't you see, that you're so desperately)
But I'm a riot
Mary, Jo, Lisa (a standing joker like a vocal one-liner)
Always the same
That's not my name (instead of sing-a-long)
That's not my name (this song is monotone)
That's not my name (I've gotta get some soul)
That's not my name (I gotta get some feeling)
They call me, "Hell" (this song was in my head)
They call me, "Stacey" (now it's in my mind)
They call me, "Her" (call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing)
They call me, "Jane"
That's not my name (and though I realize)
That's not my name (I cannot emphasize)
That's not my name (I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding)
That's not my name (so alone all the time and I lock myself away)
They call me, "Quiet girl" (and baby, can't you see, that you're so desperately)
But I'm a riot
Mary, Jo, Lisa (a standing joker like a vocal one-liner)
Always the same
That's not my name (instead of sing-a-long)
That's not my name (this song is monotone)
That's not my name (I've gotta get some soul)
That's not my name (I gotta get some feeling)
They call me, "Hell" (this song was in my head)
They call me, "Stacey" (now it's in my mind)
They call me, "Her" (call it, reach it, get some words and get some timing)
They call me, "Jane"
That's not my name (and though I realize)
That's not my name (I cannot emphasize)
That's not my name (I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding)
That's not my name (so alone all the time and I lock myself away)
They call me, "Quiet girl" (and baby, can't you see, that you're so desperately)
But I'm a riot
Mary, Jo, Lisa
Always the same (though I'm dressed up)
That's not my name (out and all, with everything considered)
That's not my name (they forget my name)
That's not my name (I've gotta get some soul)
That's not my name (I gotta get some feeling)
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
The Ting Tings's song 'That's Not My Name' is an upbeat, pop-rock anthem that speaks to the frustration of being overlooked and misunderstood. The song's lyrics describe a situation where the singer is constantly misidentified and underestimated by those around her. She is called by different names like "Hell," "Stacey," "Her," and "Jane," but none of these are her actual name. Despite being dressed up and put together, she feels isolated and unheard, so she locks herself away. The chorus of the song, with its repeated refrain of "That's not my name," is a defiant declaration that the singer refuses to be defined by others' perceptions.
Throughout the song, the lyrics convey a sense of conflicting emotions, with the singer feeling both frustrated and empowered at the same time. On one hand, she is exasperated with the way people treat her, but on the other hand, she uses that frustration as a source of strength, vowing to break free from the mold that others have tried to force her into. The repetition of the title phrase is a key part of the song's message, emphasizing the idea that identity is something that must be claimed for oneself, rather than being assigned by others.
Line by Line Meaning
Four letter word just to get me along
I am using a simple word to get myself through tough times
It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue
This is a tough situation and I have to hold myself back from saying things I might regret
And I, I keep stalling, keeping me together
I am feeling lost but I am still holding on and trying to keep myself intact
People around gotta find something to say now
Others are always trying to label me and put me in a box
Holding back, everyday the same
Every day feels like a struggle and I am always holding myself back
Don't wanna be a loner
I don't want to be alone but I feel like I am
Listen to me, oh no
I am trying to make others understand but they won't listen
I never say anything at all
I am always holding back and not expressing myself
But with nothing to consider they forget my name ('ame, 'ame, 'ame)
People don't even remember my name because they don't take the time to get to know me
They call me, "Hell"
People label me as something negative, like "Hell"
They call me, "Stacey"
People give me a generic name like "Stacey" instead of my real name
They call me, "Her"
People refer to me as 'her' instead of my name
They call me, "Jane"
People give me a generic name like "Jane" instead of my real name
That's not my name
I am my own person and I deserve to be recognized by my real name
They call me, "Quiet girl"
People are labeling me as quiet when they don't really know me
But I'm a riot Mary, Jo, Lisa
I am actually a fun and exciting person, not just a quiet girl
Always the same
People keep trying to label me and put me in a box
I miss the catch if they throw me the ball
I am feeling left out and ignored
I'm the last chick standing up against the wall
I am feeling isolated and left behind
Keep up, falling, these heels they keep me boring
Trying to keep up with the expectations of others is weighing me down
Getting glammed up and sitting on the fence now
I am trying to fit in but it's not making me happy
So alone all the time at night
I am feeling isolated and lonely, even when surrounded by people
Lock myself away
I am withdrawing from the world because I feel like no one is listening to me
Although I'm dressed up, out and all
Even though I am trying to fit in and look the part, it's not enough
With everything considered they forget my name ('ame, 'ame, 'ame)
People are not recognizing me for who I am, they are just seeing me as a generic 'Stacey' or 'Jane'
Are you calling me, darling?
Are you actually acknowledging me as a person?
Are you calling me bird?
Are you just using a generic label for me, like 'bird'?
I'll stick around but just don't promise, nothing binding
I am willing to keep trying, but only if you actually listen to me and try to understand me as a person
And baby, can't you see, that you're so desperately
I am trying to get through to you so you can understand me
A standing joker like a vocal one-liner
I am funny and interesting, but people only see the surface level of me and don't try to understand me
Instead of sing-a-long
This is not a simple song to sing along to, it has true meaning behind it
This song is monotone
This isn't just a catchy tune, it has a deeper meaning
I've gotta get some soul
I need to be recognized and understood for who I truly am
I gotta get some feeling
I am feeling frustrated and need to be taken seriously
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, 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
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@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.