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Everything but the Girl

From Alfawiki
Everything but the Girl
Company typeMusic duo
IndustryMusic
Founded1982
Headquarters
Kingston upon Hull
,
United Kingdom
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Everything but the Girl is a British pop duo originating from Kingston upon Hull in 1982, comprising lead vocalist and lyricist Tracey Thorn alongside guitarist, keyboardist, producer, and co-songwriter Ben Watt. Initially recognized for their sophisti-pop style infused with jazz elements, they transitioned into electronic music after their 1994 worldwide breakthrough single "Missing," which was remixed by Todd Terry.

The pair secured four top 10 hits and twelve top 40 singles on the UK charts, accumulating eight gold and two platinum certifications from the BPI in the UK, as well as a gold album certification from the RIAA in the United States. Their rendition of "I Don't Want to Talk About It" climbed to No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1988, while "Missing" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1995 and remained on the UK chart for over seven months, earning a Brit Award nomination for Best British Single.

Their ninth studio release, Walking Wounded (1996), entered the UK albums chart at No. 4 and featured top-10 singles such as "Walking Wounded" and "Wrong." The group ceased activity in 2000 after Thorn declared she would no longer perform live. Following their marriage in 2009, both Thorn and Watt pursued solo projects and initially suggested that a reunion of Everything but the Girl was improbable.

In November 2022, they revealed completion of a new album. Fuse, launched on 21 April 2023, represents their first collection of new songs in 24 years and reached No. 3 on the Official UK Album Chart—the highest position achieved in their career. The Guardian awarded it a five-star review, praising its lasting pop innovation and profound musical insight as a comeback well worth the wait.

Formation and early years

Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt crossed paths at the University of Hull, each signed individually to the independent label Cherry Red Records. Thorn was also a member of the trio Marine Girls. They created Everything but the Girl as a side project, taking inspiration for the name from a slogan displayed at Hull's Turner's Furniture store.[1][2]

Their initial EP, which included a samba-style cover of Cole Porter's "Night and Day," was released in June 1982, achieving moderate sales and later reissued in August 1983. Both artists issued solo albums under Cherry Red: Thorn's A Distant Shore (1982) and Watt's North Marine Drive (1983).[3][1]

Everything but the Girl performed live for the first time on 5 January 1983 at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts alongside Paul Weller.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name They then signed with Blanco y Negro Records and recorded their debut album, Eden, in September 1983. Released in May 1984, it reached No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart and featured the single "Each and Every One," which climbed to No. 28.[4] Thorn later clarified that its lyrics were intended as a critique of condescending male critics rather than a romantic ballad.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Initially classified within genres such as "lite-jazz/neo-jazz-pop" or "sophisti-pop," alongside contemporaries like Sade, Swing Out Sister, and The Style Council, Everything but the Girl collaborated with producer Robin Millar, who was also known for his work with Sade.[5]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

For the US market, their debut combined six tracks from Eden with singles and alternate versions.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Their sophomore album, Love Not Money (1985), demonstrated a move toward pop driven by electric guitar sounds. The American version included two additional tracks not present on the UK edition.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In 1986, Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, recorded with orchestral arrangements at Abbey Road Studios, exhibited influences from composers such as Bacharach and Jimmy Webb through its B-side selections. Singles released included "Come on Home" and "Don't Leave Me Behind".[1]

The release of Idlewild (1988) merged acoustic instrumentation with electronic textures, peaking at No. 13 on UK charts. Its single "I Don't Want to Talk About It" achieved a No. 3 position.[4][3] During this period, Thorn also contributed vocals to Lloyd Cole and the Commotions' final record.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Their 1990 album The Language of Life, produced by Tommy LiPuma in Los Angeles, featured prominent American session musicians including Stan Getz. The track "Driving" received notable airplay on US adult alternative radio stations.[1]

The self-produced album Worldwide followed in 1991, reaching No. 29 on UK charts.[4]

In 1992, they released an acoustic EP titled Covers, which reached No. 13 in the UK; it contained renditions of songs by Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Elvis Costello among others. These recordings were later compiled into a US-only album called Acoustic.[4][1]

Midway through 1992, Watt underwent hospitalization due to eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis—a life-threatening illness he later documented in his memoir Patient.

In 1993, Everything but the Girl issued two EPs in the UK including a cover of Paul Simon’s "The Only Living Boy in New York." One track from this period inspired Karen Ramirez's top-10 hit in the UK titled "I Didn't Know I Was Looking for Love".Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Global Recognition

In 1994, Everything but the Girl unveiled their seventh studio album, Amplified Heart, which fused elements of folk rock and electronica. This record featured contributions from guitarist Richard Thompson, double bassist Danny Thompson, drummer Dave Mattacks, and producer/programmer John Coxon. The track "Missing" was remixed by producer Todd Terry, transforming it into a worldwide sensation that climbed to No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

During the production of Amplified Heart, Thorn and Watt lent their talents to two songs—"Protection" and "Better Things"—on Massive Attack's album Protection, with Thorn providing lead vocals. The single "Protection" reached No. 14 on the UK singles chart, while the album itself secured the No. 4 position.

After these achievements and the conclusion of their contract with WEA, Everything but the Girl independently produced Walking Wounded in 1996, licensing it to Atlantic Records for North America and Virgin Records internationally. Collaborations with electronic artists Spring Heel Jack and Howie B introduced a fresh electronic dimension to their sound. The album attained No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and spawned two UK top ten hits: "Walking Wounded" and "Wrong". Additional singles, "Single" and "Before Today", reached No. 20 and No. 25 respectively.

Their ninth studio effort, Temperamental (1999), peaked at No. 16 in the UK. The duo performed their last live show at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2000.

Prolonged Hiatus

From 2000 until 2022, Everything but the Girl did not release new material. Instead, they curated compilation albums in 2002, 2004, and 2005, including a 2004 DVD titled Like the Deserts Miss the Rain, which showcased a 1999 London concert featuring session musicians.

Following 1999, Watt concentrated on DJing, producing, and remixing. He found success as part of Lazy Dog alongside Jay Hannan and collaborated with Beth Orton on her albums Central Reservation (1999) and Daybreaker (2002). In 2003, he founded the Buzzin' Fly record label and co-established Neighbourhood and Cherry Jam nightclubs between 2002 and 2005. Watt also released club-focused works such as the 2010 Bright Star EP with producer Stimming and vocalist Julia Biel.

Thorn provided vocals on Tiefschwarz's track "Damage" (2005) and launched solo projects including Out of the Woods (2007), Love and Its Opposite (2010), and a holiday-themed album, Tinsel and Lights (2012), which featured original compositions supported by backing vocals from Watt and their children. In 2011, Thorn recorded a cover of The xx's "Night Time" with Watt—their first collaboration outside Everything but the Girl in over ten years.

In a 2011 interview, Thorn mentioned that future collaborations with Watt under Everything but the Girl were possible but noted various practical and emotional challenges. Edsel Records reissued their first four albums in deluxe formats with demos and rare tracks in 2012; Watt expressed reservations about Warner Music Group's control over their back catalogue. A further series of reissues covering albums from 1990 to 1994 followed in 2013, involving active participation from both members. Their final two albums, Walking Wounded and Temperamental, received deluxe re-releases in September 2015.

Watt revisited his folk-jazz origins with his solo record Hendra (2014), featuring collaborations with Bernard Butler, Ewan Pearson, and David Gilmour. This album earned 'Best Difficult Second Album' at the AIM Independent Music Awards in 2014 and was ranked No. 27 in Uncut's Top 75 Albums of that year. His subsequent release, Fever Dream (2016), maintained partnerships with Butler while incorporating MC Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger) and Marissa Nadler; it garnered critical praise including a 9/10 rating from Uncut magazine.

Both Thorn and Watt have authored books; Thorn’s memoir Bedsit Disco Queen (2013) chronicles much of Everything but the Girl’s journey.

In July 2017, Everything but the Girl regained ownership of eight albums plus US rights to Temperamental and Walking Wounded from Warner Music Group. This catalogue is now managed through Watt’s Strange Feeling label under license via Chrysalis Records.

Return with Fuse

On 2 November 2022, Thorn revealed on Twitter that Everything but the Girl had completed a new album scheduled for release in spring 2023.

The lead single from their eleventh studio album, Fuse, titled "Nothing Left to Lose," debuted on BBC Radio 6 Music on 10 January 2023. The full album was released on 21 April 2023, containing "Nothing Left to Lose" alongside nine additional original tracks that meld electronic and acoustic influences.

On 9 August, they issued Live at Maida Vale, a four-track EP featuring live studio renditions of three songs from Fuse plus "Single" from 1996.

On 12 March 2025, Watt and Thorn announced two intimate concerts scheduled for April at a small East London venue accommodating around 200 people. Performing as a "part-acoustic part-electronic duo," they drew upon highlights from their forty-year career. Thorn commented, "If it goes well we hope to do more." Following positive reception, further dates were arranged extending into late 2025 and throughout 2026.

On 10 September 2025, they revealed plans for The Best of Everything But the Girl, a compilation encompassing sixteen tracks released on 14 November that spans their entire career from "Night and Day" through to selections from Fuse.

Awards and Nominations

Year Award Work Category Outcome
1990 D&AD Awards "Driving" Animation Bronze Wood Pencil winner
1996 MTV EMA The duo Best Dance Nominated
Viva Comet Awards The duo Best International Act Winner
Brit Awards "Missing" Best British Single Nominated
Ivor Novello Awards "Missing" Best Selling Song Nominated
1997 Music Week Awards Walking Wounded Best Art Direction Winner
2000 Billboard Music Video Awards "Five Fathoms" Dance Clip of the Year Nominated
2007 BMI London Awards "Missing" Three Million Award Winner
2024 Music Producers Guild Awards Fuse Self-producing Artist of the Year Winner

Collaborations

Discography

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External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AMG
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TA0929
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Larkinindie
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Everything but the Girl
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named auto1
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