That’s Not My Name – The Ting Tings | 2025InSongs #154

INTRODUCTION

Released on May 12, 2008, “That’s Not My Name” is the breakout single from The Ting Tings’ debut album We Started Nothing. Written and produced by the duo—Katie White and Jules De Martino—the song was originally issued as a double A-side with “Great DJ” in 2007 before being re-released by Columbia Records.

The track shot to #1 on the UK Singles Chart, dethroning Madonna and Justin Timberlake’s “4 Minutes”. It also reached:

• #2 in Ireland
• Top 10 in Australia and New Zealand
• #39 on the US Billboard Hot 100

With its infectious chorus and staccato vocal delivery, “That’s Not My Name” became a global indie-pop sensation, selling over 1 million digital copies and earning Platinum certifications in multiple countries.

HISTORY OF THE BAND

The Ting Tings formed in Salford, England in 2006, emerging from the Islington Mill arts collective. The duo—Katie White (vocals, guitar) and Jules De Martino (drums, production)—had previously played in a band called Dear Eskimo, but reinvented themselves with a minimalist, DIY aesthetic.

Their debut album We Started Nothing (2008) was a commercial and critical success, blending dance-punk, electropop, and new wave. The Ting Tings became known for their energetic performances, catchy hooks, and rebellious attitude toward the music industry—“That’s Not My Name” was famously inspired by Katie’s frustration with being misidentified and overlooked by record execs.

ON THE VIDEOCLIP

The song has three official music videos, each with its own visual style:

• 🎬 Original UK Video (2007): Directed by Sophie Muller and Stacey Hartly, this version features Katie and Jules performing against stark white, red, and blue backgrounds. It’s visually reminiscent of Toni Basil’s “Mickey” and emphasizes the song’s punchy rhythm.
• 🎥 US Video (2008): Directed by David Allain, this version adds flashing lights, more equipment, and a polished set design to appeal to American audiences. It premiered on mtvu.com in January 2009.
• 🏜️ Alternate Video: Directed by AlexandLiane, this surreal version places the band in a desert ghost town surrounded by double dutchers, cheerleaders, marching band drummers, and sign spinners—all wearing reflective black outfits. The visuals echo the song’s themes of mislabeling and identity confusion.

TALK NERDY TO ME

Musically, “That’s Not My Name” is a high-energy electro-pop track with punk attitude:

• 🎼 Key: E Major
• ⏱️ Tempo: 145 BPM
• 🎤 Vocal Range: G3 to G♯5
• 🔁 Structure: Verse–Pre-Chorus–Chorus–Bridge–Chorus
• 🎶 Chord Complexity: Low (basic major chords)
• 🧠 Melodic Complexity: Minimal, with repetitive phrasing

The song’s simplicity is part of its charm. The staccato vocals, handclaps, and chant-like chorus create a hypnotic groove that’s both danceable and defiant. The repetition of “That’s not my name” becomes a mantra of self-assertion, turning frustration into empowerment.

MORE FROM THE TING TINGS

If you’re vibing with “That’s Not My Name,” here are more tracks to explore from The Ting Tings: