"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."
We Started Nothing
The Ting Tings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I go there's no one there
So tell me where's the soul, oh! where's the soul
Submit it's all locked up, so hard to loose control
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
Wait on a new, gonna bet on 1 today
How it's only all of us, if and buts falling dead
Tell me where's the soul, oh! Where's the soul
If it's been a whole day it's time to let it go
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
Now, often we keep givin' in with what they say
We're too open when we're only shown 1 way
And with the offer open opportunity to do
To make a mighty step no insoles in my shoes
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I started nothing I wish I didn't
Water's cold, ice is just a face skin deep
All you know, ice is just a face skin deep
Water's cold, ice is just a face skin deep
All you know, ice is just a face skin deep
Water's cold, ice is just a face skin deep
All you know, ice is just a face skin deep
The Ting Tings' song "We Started Nothing" seems to address the feeling of being alone and the struggle to find a sense of purpose. The opening lines suggest that the singer has gone somewhere looking for companionship or some sense of meaning, but finds nothing there. The lines "where's the soul, oh! where's the soul/Submit it's all locked up, so hard to lose control" express a sense of frustration with the way the world has become, seemingly empty and devoid of soulful connection.
The repetition of the phrase "I started nothing I wish I didn't" could suggest regret or possibly even feeling like they are the cause of the emptiness around them. The verse "Now, often we keep giving in with what they say/We're too open when we're only shown one way" explores the idea of conformity and how it can limit us, closing off opportunities for growth and expansion.
The repeating lines "water's cold, ice is just a face skin deep/All you know, ice is just a face skin deep" at the end of the song could be interpreted as a commentary on the superficiality of the world around us. It suggests that beneath the surface, there is something deeper and more meaningful to be found. Overall, the song seems to be a call to break out of the limitations placed on us by society and connect with the deeper, more soulful aspects of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
No one dropped of waiting in despair
I went to a place where I expected to see someone, but no one was there waiting for me.
Every time I go there's no one there
This place seems to be always empty even though I keep coming back.
So tell me where's the soul, oh! where's the soul
I feel like there's something missing in this place, something that would make it more alive and meaningful.
Submit it's all locked up, so hard to loose control
Whatever it is that's missing here seems to be locked away, making it hard for me to feel like I have any control over the situation.
I started nothing I wish I didn't
I regret that I started something that was not worth it or did not lead to anything meaningful.
Wait on a new, gonna bet on 1 today
I'm hoping that something new and exciting will happen today and I'm willing to take a chance on it.
How it's only all of us, if and buts falling dead
All of our doubts and hesitations are getting in the way of progress, and we need to move forward without holding back.
Tell me where's the soul, oh! Where's the soul
Once again, I'm feeling like something important is missing and I'm searching for it.
If it's been a whole day it's time to let it go
If we've been waiting around for something that hasn't happened all day, it's time to move on and let it go.
Now, often we keep givin' in with what they say
We tend to conform to what other people tell us to do, even if it's not what we want or believe in.
We're too open when we're only shown 1 way
We're too willing to go along with what we're presented with, without exploring other options or thinking for ourselves.
And with the offer open opportunity to do
There are many possibilities and opportunities available to us if we take the initiative to seek them out.
To make a mighty step no insoles in my shoes
We need to be brave and take bold steps forward, without worrying about the potential risks or pitfalls.
Water's cold, ice is just a face skin deep
Things may look a certain way on the surface, but the reality could be very different.
All you know, ice is just a face skin deep
There is more to things and people than what meets the eye, and we shouldn't judge based on appearances alone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KATIE WHITE, JULES DE MARTINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind