“That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings

Honestly, the verses of “That’s Not My Name” are not the easiest to understand. Or maybe we can say something like this piece would be better understood by a female than a male, as to some degree it does specifically speak to ordeals that that fairer sex are more likely to experience. 

But in any event, the second verse does a sound job of implying that what it is the vocalist is suffering from is a sense of a lack of self-worth. The chorus goes on to further imply such is the result of her feeling alienated or devalued by others. So resultantly, internally it’s as if she has a lot of pent-up frustration.

Or as The Ting Tings have explained it, this song “is about feeling frustrated and invisible”. At the time they wrote it, according to Jules they had just been dropped by their label. And what he is likely referring to is the plight of Dear Eskimo, an earlier incarnation of The Ting Tings, which proved to be a short-lived trio that had a very disheartening industry experience.

But they lucked out in that upon writing “That’s Not My Name”, even though the thesis sentiment was sourced in their related vexation, it wasn’t like Jules and Katie were under any type of professional pressure to churn out or really any song for that matter. 

Furthermore, even though they may not have been able to perceive it at the time, that freedom worked to their advantage, as this track more or less stands as their only hit.

Takeaway

Going back to the lyrics themselves, even though they aren’t what we would define as open-ended, they are put together in such a way that whereas there is a discernible sentiment of frustration, space is afforded the listener to apply his or her understanding to what’s being put forth. 

That would likely be why this song has been used on so many TV shows, adverts, etc., as in a way, feeling underappreciated is something that most of us probably experience from time to time. 

But to reiterate, as far as the entire piece goes, there is a special emphasis on the vocalist indeed being female, thus implying that part of her aforenoted dissatisfaction is founded in people stereotyping her accordingly – as a “darling”, “bird” or what have you – instead of recognizing Katie for the individual she is.

Facts about “That’s Not My Name”

The Ting Tings’ maiden album titled “We Started Nothing” topped the UK Albums Chart.  

The lead single from that project, “That’s Not My Name”, was originally released on 7 May 2007 through an indie label called Switchflicker. It later attracted the backing of the more-established Columbia Records also. 

And by the time all was said and done it ended up being the most-notable track in The Ting Tings’ discography. The song was so successful that it charted in over 15 nations and in the process topped the UK Singles Chart as well as its Scottish counterpart. 

“That’s Not My Name” also appeared on six different Billboard lists, peaking at number four on the US Dance Club Songs chart. At the end of the day, it eventually went platinum in the USA, UK and Australia.

It has been noted that this song has three official music videos, one of which is for its acoustic version. The original was directed by Stacey Hartly alongside the accomplished Sophie Muller. 

And the one that came out later, via Columbia, employed David Allain as its director.

Throughout the years, “That’s Not My Name” has also enjoyed widespread pop media usage.

In 2022 it benefitted from TikTok virality and furthermore the type in which a number of A list celebrities even got involved. And all of this for a song which one of its cowriters, Jules De Martino, said that he and Katie White, the other member of The Ting Tings, thought was akin to “rubbish” when they first penned it.

It was also multi-instrumentalist Jules D. Martino who produced this track.

“We Started Nothing” by The Ting Tings 

“We Started Nothing” is a 10-tracked art pop album, officially released on the 16th of May, 2008. It was released as the debut studio from The Ting Tings, an indie pop recording duo from England.

Recording was done between 2007 and 2008 in Salford, Greater Manchester. One half of the group, Jules De Martino has been credited with the album’s production.

To help support the album, 6 singles were strategically released. All the singles happened to find spots on the UK singles chart. This was a clear indication of how successful the album was in their home country, UK. However, only “Shut Up and Let Me Go” and “That’s Not My Name” found their way onto the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

“We Started Nothing” peaked at No. 78 on the Billboard 200 and topped the UK’s OCC chart. Aside from the US and UK, the album put up a splendid performance in other countries including Ireland and Scotland where it charted at No. 3 and No. 2 respectively.

By the close of 2014, the album had recorded sales of over 630,000 copies in the UK alone, earning it a 2x platinum certification from the BPI there. It got a platinum certification in Ireland and gold in both Australia and France.