She grew up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire and studied English at the University of Hull, where she graduated in 1984 with First Class Honours. She lives with her EBTG partner Ben Watt in North London. The couple have twin daughters born in 1998, and a son born in 2001.
Thorn began her musical career in the group Marine Girls. The band released two albums (Beach Party in 1981 and Lazy Ways in 1982) and several singles. The group disbanded when Thorn decided to concentrate on Everything But The Girl.
Thorn's first solo work was a solo mini-album in 1982 entitled A Distant Shore. A re-recorded version of the track Plain Sailing was released as a single, and was included on the 'Pillows & Prayers' Cherry Red records compilation album.
Thorn and Ben Watt met at University when they were both signed separately, as solo artists, to Cherry Red Records. Their first album together was Eden, released in 1984. As a band, Everything But The Girl released a body of work that spanned two decades. Their biggest chart success came in 1995, when DJ Todd Terry remixed a song from their Amplified Heart album. Missing became a huge hit all over the world, especially in the U.S., where it reached number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100.
The duo has been on extended hiatus since 2002 while Watt has concentrated on his DJ work, and Thorn has been raising their children and writing and recording a solo album.
She collaborated with Massive Attack on several projects, including the soundtrack for the motion picture Batman Forever where she contributed with The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game. Their first project together was the song Protection from the album by Massive Attack of the same name. She also sings on the track Better Things.
Thorn has also contributed guest vocals and backing vocals for The Style Council, The Go-Betweens, Working Week, and Lloyd Cole and the Commotions.
Her first collaboration, after a lengthy singing hiatus, was on the song Damage by the band Tiefschwarz.
In March 2007, Tracey Thorn released her second solo album Out of the Woods on Virgin Records (Worldwide) and on Astralwerks (USA). It includes contributions from Cagedbaby, Ewan Pearson, Charles Webster, Sasse and Martin Wheeler.
In 2010, she released Love and Its Opposite on her husband's own label, Strange Feeling. Swedish singer Jens Lekman appears on Come On Home to Me.
Official website: www.traceythorn.com
Queen
Tracey Thorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down that road again
I haven't solved it yet
What happened if we never met
If I'd just ignored
Those sliding doors
If I'd turned instead from your bed?
Am I queen?
A star?
Backseat of a blacked out car
Is that me?
Or someone else entirely?
And do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Or am I still waiting?
In the midst of sleep
Pictures come to me
Memories and dreams
Things lost that might have been
If you'd broke my heart
Very near the start
Do I sink alone like a stone?
Am I queen?
A majesterial has been
I'm on fire
A head full of desire
This is me
I'm someone else entirely
And do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Or am I still waiting?
Or am I still waiting?
Am I queen?
Or something else I might have been?
A star?
Propping up the backstage bar
Is that me?
Or someone else entirely?
And do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Do I ever find love?
Or am I still waiting?
Or am I still waiting?
Am I queen?
Or something else I might have been?
A star?
Backseat of a blacked out car
Is that me?
Or am I still waiting?
Or am I still waiting?
Or am I still waiting?
Am I still waiting?
Or am I still waiting?
The song Queen by Tracey Thorn is a soulful exploration of self-discovery and existential questioning. The lyrics reflect on the path not taken, the missed opportunities, and the uncertain future. The singer of the song wonders about her identity and whether she has found her true calling in life. The chorus, "Do I ever find love?", is not only a romantic reference but also an existential one, asking whether she will ever find a sense of purpose or fulfillment. The lyrics also reference the concept of sliding doors - the idea that one small decision or event can significantly alter the course of one's life.
The song's title, "Queen," adds another layer of meaning to the lyrics. In one sense, it could refer to the idea of self-empowerment and standing in one's own power. But at the same time, it could also be interpreted as a sarcastic reference to the societal expectations and pressures placed on women to fit into certain molds or stereotypes. The blacked-out car reference in the lyrics could be interpreted as a nod to the dark side of fame, particularly for women in the music industry.
Overall, Queen is a poignant meditation on self-discovery, identity, and the paths we take. It encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, their choices, and their sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again
Starting over once more
Down that road again
Going through the same experience
I haven't solved it yet
Still trying to figure it out
What happened if we never met
Thinking about the what-ifs
If I'd just ignored
If I had only avoided
Those sliding doors
The possibilities that came and went
If I'd turned instead from your bed?
If I'd chosen a different path
Am I queen?
Am I in control?
Or something else I might have been?
Wondering about other paths not taken
A star?
A glamorous figure
Backseat of a blacked out car
Hidden or relegated to the background
Is that me?
Questioning one's own identity
Or someone else entirely?
Unrecognizable or disconnected from oneself
And do I ever find love?
Searching for a connection
In the midst of sleep
Dreaming or lost in thought
Pictures come to me
Memories or fantasies that arise
Memories and dreams
Reflecting on what has been and what could be
Things lost that might have been
Regretting missed opportunities
If you'd broke my heart
If someone had hurt me
Very near the start
Early in the relationship
Do I sink alone like a stone?
Feeling defeated or abandoned
A majesterial has been
Having lost power or influence
I'm on fire
Feeling passionate or invigorated
A head full of desire
Longing or yearning for something
This is me
Asserting one's true self
I'm someone else entirely
Transformed or unrecognizable
Or am I still waiting?
Still searching for fulfillment
Propping up the backstage bar
On the sidelines or behind the scenes
Or am I still waiting?
Wondering if change will come
Am I still waiting?
Asking the same question again
Or am I still waiting?
Uncertainty about what the future holds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACEY THORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@linkjones4535
I fell in love with Tracey Thorn's vocals the first time I heard her singing 'Each and Everyone' on the radio in 1984. I got the album that day but here in the US the album wasn't titled 'Eden' it was 'Everything But The Girl'. The song 'Mine' from that album demonstrates a strong independent woman even through her elegant and tranquil vocals. I've always liked that you can hear her inhale while she sings (just like Karen Carpenter). It's been an immense pleasure listening to her vocals get better even when I thought they couldn't. 'Record' is an amazing release with even better vocals than ever! Tracey Thorn is a true Diva!
@kojihimuro
1 of My 2 FAVE FEMALE VOCALISTS - TRACEY Vocals is always so mesmerising .
Thanks for this new album which I adore LOTS .
Thanks for the songs all these years .
@gregmahadeo9394
I’ve loved Tracy since Amplified Heart. An incredible talented musician, songwriter, and author with a great personality and funny too. Her and Ben’s talent for music is a great match. Still listen to her to this day. 🙂
@traceyfenner5904
Agree, Amplified Heart is my go-to place. Best ever
@EwanMee2
Tracey's voice even better, who would have thought it, slightly huskier and deeper but utterly fantastic, album ordered!
@ignaciorodriguezburgos3262
N
@arxsyn
She has a Cher-adjacent voice. Contraltos rock!!!
@gergsar
I love her voice, and she's magnificent
@soundtaste9475
Love love love it❤❤❤
@indigoranch
Songwriting still so on point. Loving the 80s sound. Thanks for blessing us with new songs!