2007 Pop One-Hit Wonder Overcame Rejections to Become Earworm Sensation

The Ting Tings' 'That's Not My Name' has endured as an 'evergreen song' despite industry doubts.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Ting Tings, the pop duo of Katie White and Jules De Martino, formed in 2007 after their previous band Dear Eskiimo was dropped by Mercury Records. Undeterred by the rejection, they created the hits 'That's Not My Name' and 'Great DJ', which became a surprise pop sensation, defying industry expectations and categorization.

Why it matters

The Ting Tings' story highlights how creative resilience in the face of setbacks can lead to unexpected success, as well as the unpredictable nature of the music industry where a song can transcend trends and become a timeless earworm.

The details

After Dear Eskiimo was dropped by Mercury Records, White and De Martino formed The Ting Tings and embraced a DIY art-punk approach, initially only having three songs. They self-released a double A-side single of 'That's Not My Name' and 'Great DJ' on an independent label, building a following through live shows at the communal Islington Mill Studios in Manchester. The songs eventually broke through, with 'That's Not My Name' becoming a ubiquitous pop hit that has endured for over a decade.

  • The Ting Tings formed in 2007 after the breakup of their previous band Dear Eskiimo.
  • The Ting Tings released their double A-side single 'That's Not My Name' and 'Great DJ' in the late 2000s.
  • 'That's Not My Name' went viral on TikTok three years ago.

The players

The Ting Tings

A pop duo consisting of Katie White and Jules De Martino, formed in 2007 after the breakup of their previous band Dear Eskiimo.

Katie White

One half of the pop duo The Ting Tings, known for writing the enduring hit 'That's Not My Name'.

Jules De Martino

One half of the pop duo The Ting Tings, who formed the group with Katie White after their previous band Dear Eskiimo was dropped by a major label.

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What they’re saying

“They had committed to an album, but then suddenly changed all their top people, and we got dumped. I remember thinking: 'Bastards.' No one would answer the phone to us. We felt invisible and rejected.”

— Jules De Martino, Member of The Ting Tings (The Guardian)

“That's what the lyrics to 'That's Not My Name' are all about. 'They call me Stacey / They call me Her / They call me Jane / That's not my name.'”

— Jules De Martino, Member of The Ting Tings (The Guardian)

“It's constantly used all around the world. It was in a big Starbucks commercial. It's been featured in lots of films. It went viral on TikTok three years ago.”

— Katie White, Member of The Ting Tings (The Guardian)

“It didn't really sit in the indie nu-wave/nu-rave scene at the time. NME grabbed hold of us for a while, but then they didn't know what to do with us because two-year-olds and grandmas were singing along to 'That's Not My Name' as well.”

— Katie White, Member of The Ting Tings (The Guardian)

The takeaway

The Ting Tings' journey from rejected band to pop sensation with an enduring hit song demonstrates the power of creative resilience and the unpredictable nature of the music industry, where a song can transcend trends and become a timeless cultural touchstone.