Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt were two British solo performers in Hull when they decied to team up to make a bit of music in 1982. Not sure what to call the collaboration, they saw a sign for a local furniture store that read 'everything but the girl' and they decided to go with it. Their styles melded well together, as they both were comfortable in the smooth Pop sound. They made music that was successful in the UK, but it wasn't until 1990 when they started to break into the US market with a wonderful single, Driving. The video, it is just so brilliantly of the period, you know? The song went to #23 on the US Adult Contemporary chart.
They continued to make strong Pop music, and in 1994 released a single that made a bit of noise. But the following year, after a remix was released, the song took off. So 1995 was the year for Missing (Todd Terry Remix), which made it to #2 on the Billboard US Pop single chart. It is an amazing song, one I remember most clearly.
The next year, 1996, Everything But The Girl released Wrong, which scored #1 on the US Dance chart.
Their music continued to grow with a stronger electronic feel, with more driving beats. Yet there was still the overwhelming feel of smooth pop with each song, as Thorn's vocals set the mood. Take, for example, this live performance of the 2000 release, Temperamental.
In 2000, the band went into a hiatus of sorts. Thorn and Watt had been fiercely private with their lives - and it was a long time before fans even knew they were married as well as professional partners. But they wanted to keep the lives of their kids as normal as possible. Since 2000, Thorn has released a couple of solo albums. From that, there is the wonderful single released in 2007, It's All True, here for you to enjoy.
For more about Everything But The Girl, check out their official website here.
I always wanted to be the jam in the sandwich that is Ben and Tracy.
ReplyDeleteI have to say after I dont want to talk about it, my top EBTG tune is Last Night I heard Caruso Sing..... so simple, so poetic, so sweet, so rewarding.
Jason, that sounds like a fabulous sandwich. I'd like to give it a taste. Back to EBTG, I have to say I knew some of the music, but some was not available here in the US. So I might have more to check out.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all time favorite groups. I listen to them often. Stan seems to like them, but I think for him they are missing something.
ReplyDeleteKyle, their smooth and lush styling might not be for everyone, but I do like them, too!
ReplyDelete