5) The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name"
WHAT YOU THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT: Guys trying to pick up lead singer Katie White, but they're too drunk to remember what her name is.
WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT: Soon after signing with Mercury records, the execs who signed the Ting Tings left the label, and the band was ultimately dropped. Out of that frustration of being dropped came this catchy as hell #1 single.
QUOTES: "You feel like your career's over at 22 and you haven't even gotten a record out. It was like, you really are that forgettable unless you put your stamp on something" -Katie White-
"We were really frustrated because we had been in a band before and been dumped by our label. Back at the time, we weren't specifically trying to write a song about anything. We were just trying to have fun with it. But when we look back at the lyrics we realize they're all about frustration. In a way, she's saying she wants to be heard. She wants people to know her name." -Jules De Martino, the second half of the band-
LYRICS:
Four letter word just to get me along / It's a difficulty and I'm biting my tongue and I / I keep stalling, keeping me together / People around gotta find something to say now
4) Eminem "The Way I Am"
WHAT YOU THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT: Guys trying to pick up lead singer Katie White, but they're too drunk to remember what her name is.
WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT: Soon after signing with Mercury records, the execs who signed the Ting Tings left the label, and the band was ultimately dropped. Out of that frustration of being dropped came this catchy as hell #1 single.
QUOTES: "You feel like your career's over at 22 and you haven't even gotten a record out. It was like, you really are that forgettable unless you put your stamp on something" -Katie White-
"We were really frustrated because we had been in a band before and been dumped by our label. Back at the time, we weren't specifically trying to write a song about anything. We were just trying to have fun with it. But when we look back at the lyrics we realize they're all about frustration. In a way, she's saying she wants to be heard. She wants people to know her name." -Jules De Martino, the second half of the band-
LYRICS:
Four letter word just to get me along / It's a difficulty and I'm biting my tongue and I / I keep stalling, keeping me together / People around gotta find something to say now
4) Eminem "The Way I Am"
WHAT YOU THINK THIS SONG IS ABOUT: Eminem hating the world because they refuse to accept Eminem for the way he is. Plus, this song was released 2000, of course Em is mad at SOMETHING.
WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY ABOUT: The pressure the record label placed on Eminem to create a hit lead single to promote his new album, The Marshall Mathers LP.
Eminem albums tend to be long with many songs. Especially his first two records. The Marshall Mathers LP (his second record) had 18 tracks on it! Part of the reason it had so many tracks, is that Eminem created an album he was proud of, but his record label said it needed at least more song on it- a song like "My Name Is". It needed a pop friendly song to be the album's first single. Needless to say, Eminem was upset when he heard this. Not only did he think he was done with his album, but he's Eminem. So he went into the studio and recorded a variety of angry tracks- one of which was "The Way I Am." He eventually produced the song his record label was looking for, "The Real Slim Shady", but not after spewing out a few more angry songs first.
LYRICS:
I'm so sick and tired of being admired / That I wish that I would just die or get fired / and dropped from my label / Let's stop with the fables / I'm not gonna be able to top on My Name Is
