by The Ting Tings · 2024
The song “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings is about feeling overlooked, misidentified, and frustrated with being labeled or called by the wrong names, leading to a sense of lost individuality and identity.
This song has been Shazamed over 2,505,035 times. As of this writing, That’s Not My Name is ranked 140
That’s Not My Name’ by The Ting Tings is a song about feeling unseen and unheard. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this song resonate with so many. 
The song’s atmosphere is an energetic mix of frustration and defiance, echoing the relentless beat of self-assertion. It tells the story of someone who is tired of being mislabeled and misunderstood, fighting against the tide of anonymity.
At the heart of the song lies the chorus—a repetitive, almost chant-like declaration that “That’s not my name!” Here, we are invited into the narrator’s world, a world where identity is constantly challenged, and labels are carelessly thrown around. With each repetition, we feel the mounting exasperation and yearning for recognition. It’s a cry for authenticity, a desire to break free from the invisible chains of misidentification.
As we delve into the verses, the narrative unfolds further, revealing a poignant struggle with self-expression and societal expectations. The lyrics speak of being “quiet” yet “a riot,” capturing the duality of internal chaos versus external silence. Words like “holding back” and “locked away” paint a vivid picture of someone stifled by their circumstances, yet on the brink of rebellion—a silent protest simmering beneath the surface.
The song ultimately captures the universal quest for identity, urging us to question how we define ourselves amidst a cacophony of external voices. It’s a reminder that beneath the labels and assumptions lies a unique self, waiting to be recognized and celebrated.
Writer(s) of That’s Not My Name: Julian De Martino, Katie White
