Tracey Thorn was born in 1962 in Surrey, England. Music was a big part of her family life growing up, as her father was a BBC producer and her mother was a teacher. Thorn sang in church and school choirs and played guitar in a local band. She later attended the University of Hull, where she met Ben Watt.
Ben Watt was born in 1962 in London, England. His father was a jazz musician and his mother was an actress. Watt grew up playing piano and guitar, and also worked as a DJ and music writer. He attended the University of Hull and joined Thorn’s band as a guitarist.
Everything but the Girl released nine studio albums, starting with “Eden” in 1984 and ending with “Temperamental” in 1999. They had success with singles such as “Each and Every One,” “Come On Home,” and “Missing.” Their music was known for Thorn’s soulful vocals and Watt’s intricate guitar playing and electronic production.
The duo’s popularity peaked in the early 1990s with the release of their album “Walking Wounded.” The album was inspired by Thorn’s experience with post-natal depression and features a more electronic sound than their previous work. It includes their most well-known song, “Missing,” which became a worldwide hit and was remixed by Todd Terry.
After “Temperamental,” Everything but the Girl took a break from recording and touring. Tracey Thorn released two solo albums, “Out of the Woods” in 2007 and “Love and Its Opposite” in 2010. Ben Watt focused on his career as a DJ and music writer, releasing his memoir “Patient” in 2014.
In 2019, Everything but the Girl celebrated the 25th anniversary of “Walking Wounded” with a deluxe reissue of the album. The reissue includes previously unreleased tracks and live recordings, as well as a book by Tracey Thorn about the making of the album.
Everything but the Girl’s music has had a lasting impact on the music industry. Their blend of pop, jazz and electronic music influenced many artists who followed in their footsteps, such as Saint Etienne and Portishead. Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt’s songwriting and production skills also inspired a new generation of musicians, particularly in the electronic and dance music genres.
In conclusion, Everything but the Girl was a unique and influential musical duo that created a diverse range of music throughout their career. Their ability to blend different genres and experiment with different sounds has made them a timeless and enduring presence in music. They will always be remembered for their soulful vocals and intricate guitar playing, as well as their contribution to electronic music.