Orton moved to East London at the age of fourteen. During her early career she was more interested in acting. She first gained notice in 1995 for her vocals on the Chemical Brothers' track "Alive Alone" and is well known for her collaboration (stemming from a relationship) with William Orbit in which she lent her voice for the Strange Cargo albums. The collaboration with Orbit called SuperPinkyMandy, though of excellent sound, was only released in very limited numbers in Japan.
Orton's first solo album, Trailer Park, was released in 1996. It earned her nominations for two Brit awards (best British newcomer, best British female), and the Mercury Music Prize in 1997, was well received by critics, and sold modestly, selling 300,000 copies and reaching sixty-eight in the U.K. The album was produced by Andrew Weatherall, whom she selected based on his production of one of her favourite records at the time, Primal Scream's "Screamadelica".
Central Reservation, her second album (proper), released in 1999, helped Orton build on the success of her debut. Although retaining the electronic edge of the former, this record showed a notably more acoustic side with several tracks consisting purely of Beth's vocal accompanied by a solitary acoustic guitar, with subject matters becoming more introspective. The album also featured notable contributions from folk musician Terry Callier, Dr Robert, and Ben Harper. Several tracks were produced by Ben Watt of Everything but the Girl. The album earned Orton a second Mercury Music Prize nomination and won her Best Female at the 2000 Brit Awards.
In July 2002, she released the album Daybreaker, which again blended the early electronica style, with up tempo pop songs and acoustic ballads. It featured guest appearances from musicians such as The Chemical Brothers, Emmylou Harris, whom she met at Lilith Fair, Ryan Adams, and Four Tet. It was a great commercial success, reaching the top eight of the U.K. album chart, but received mixed reviews from the press.
Her fourth studio album, Comfort of Strangers, was released in February 2006. The release saw her move away from the electronica element that she is usually associated with, to a more stripped down traditional alt-folk album. This followed an extended absence since her previous release, partially a result of several failed production attempts, and the parting of ways between her and Heavenly. The album was produced by Jim O'Rourke.
In 2012 Beth's 5th album Sugaring Season was released, on the ANTI- label, and was followed by a tour of Europe.
In 2016 Kidsticks, Beth's 6th album, was released.
Beth has also collaborated with American pop artist Beck on his Midnite Vultures album, providing vocals on the track "Beautiful Way". She is also known for her own singles, "Stolen Car," a hit in college circles and "She Cries Your Name", once featured in the TV show Roswell in the "Cry Your Name" episode. She also wrote songs for the Erin Brockovich soundtrack.
Beth Orton's brother, Rupert Orton, is the guitarist/manager for British rock'n'roll band The Jim Jones Revue.
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Stolen Car
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't help but notice
A light that was long gone
Still burning strong
You were sitting
Your fingers like fuses
Your eyes were cinnamon
You said you'd stand for every known abuse
That was ever
Threatened
To anyone but you
And why should I know better by now
When I'm old enough not to?
While every line speaks the language of love
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can't decide over right or wrong
I guess sometimes you need the place where you belong
Some may sing the wrong words to the wrong melody
It's little things like this that matter to me
Others feel that you should stand
For every known abuse to hand
And all the things that they could never see
You said you stood for every known abuse
That was ever
Promised
To anyone like you
Don't you wish you knew better by now
When you're old enough not to?
When every line speaks the language of love
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can't decide over right or wrong
You left the feeling that I just do not belong
(do not belong, do not belong, do not belong)
One drink too many and a joke gone too far
I see a face drive like a stolen car
Gets harder to hide when you're hitching a ride
Harder to hide what you really saw
Oh yeah, you stand for every known abuse
That I've ever seen my way through
Don't I wish I knew better by now?
Well I think I'm starting to
When every line speaks the language of love
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I lost the line between right or wrong
I just want to find the place where I belong
(why should you know better by now
When you're old enough not to?
I wish I knew better by now
When I'm old enough not to)
The song “Stolen Car” by Beth Orton tells the story of a chance encounter with a former lover. The singer is surprised to see this person at their doorstep, as they had long assumed the relationship had ended. The first verse establishes the emotional connection between them, with the metaphor of a “light that was long gone / still burning strong” representing feelings that had been buried but not extinguished. The second verse introduces the theme of abuse, with the ex claiming to have endured it all and standing up for others who have been victimized. However, the singer questions whether this is really true, and wonders if they themselves could do better. The chorus highlights the confusion and lack of clarity surrounding the love between them, with the lines “while every line speaks the language of love / it never held the meaning I was thinking of”. The bridge then shifts the focus to a more physical threat, with the image of a “face drive like a stolen car” suggesting danger and unpredictability. The final verse returns to the internal struggle of the singer, who is caught between the desire for belonging and the discomfort of not knowing what is right or wrong.
Overall, “Stolen Car” is a song about the complexities of love and trust. The lyrics explore themes of emotional baggage, power dynamics, and uncertainty. The narrative structure is open-ended, leaving the listener to interpret the situation as they see fit. The musical style of the song is folk-rock, with acoustic guitar and melancholy vocals conveying the wistful mood.
Line by Line Meaning
You walked into my house last night
You entered my home unexpectedly
I couldn't help but notice
I was unable to ignore
A light that was long gone
A spark that previously died out
Still burning strong
Remains with intensity
You were sitting
You were seated
Your fingers like fuses
Your fingers agitated and anxious
Your eyes were cinnamon
Your brown eyes resembling cinnamon
You said you'd stand for every known abuse
You promised to endure any form of maltreatment
That was ever threatened to anyone but you
Except towards you
And why should I know better by now
Why do I have to be more knowledgeable at this moment?
When I'm old enough not to?
When I'm legally mature enough?
While every line speaks the language of love
Despite love being present on every message
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
Never matched my interpretation
And I can't decide over right or wrong
And I'm uncertain about correctness
I guess sometimes you need the place where you belong
Perhaps you need a place where you can fit in
Some may sing the wrong words to the wrong melody
Certain folks sing with a mismatched tune and lyrics
It's little things like this that matter to me
Small things such as this makes a difference for me
Others feel that you should stand
Others believe that one must endure
For every known abuse to hand
Every detriment and maltreatment
And all the things that they could never see
And any sort of abusive event that they are blind to
That was ever promised
That was guaranteed
To anyone like you
To somebody like you
Don't you wish you knew better by now
Do you wish to be more knowledgeable right now?
When you're old enough not to?
When you reach a mature age?
You left the feeling that I just do not belong
You left a feeling of nonconformity within me
One drink too many and a joke gone too far
A distinct point when alcohol and humor went out of hand
I see a face drive like a stolen car
I observe someone leaving hastily like a stolen vehicle
Gets harder to hide when you're hitching a ride
It's more difficult to conceal oneself while grabbing a ride
Harder to hide what you really saw
More difficult to hide the truth of what was actually witnessed
That I've ever seen my way through
That I have previously experienced
Well I think I'm starting to
Well, I believe I'm beginning to
And I lost the line between right or wrong
And I'm unsure about what's moral or immoral
I just want to find the place where I belong
I simply want to encounter a place that fits me
(why should you know better by now
(Why should you be an expert at this moment,
When you're old enough not to?
When you reach an age of maturity?)
I wish I knew better by now
I wish to be more knowledgeable at this moment
When I'm old enough not to)
(When I attain legal maturity)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM BLANCHARD, SEAN READ, BETH ORTON, TED BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind