She met bandmate Geoff Barrow in a government business start-up scheme. Barrow and Gibbons joined jazz guitarist Adrian Utley, and the sessioners John Baggott, Jim Barr and Clive Deamer to record two successful and critically praised Portishead studio albums, as well as a live album, with a third album being released in 2008. Admired by artists as diverse as Dr. Dre and Robert Plant, the latter used Gibbons's musical associates in his own projects.
Gibbons has also collaborated on a separate project with former Talk Talk member Paul Webb, aka Rustin' Man. Lee Harris, another former member of Talk Talk, played drums on this. In October 2002, the album Out of Season, was released in the UK, and in October 2003 it was released in the US.
She is releasing her new solo album 'Lives Outgrown' on May 17th, 2024.
Tom The Model
Beth Gibbons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moments that I have shared with you
Our hearts may break
But they're on their way
Oh, so do what you gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever
Have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
I can understand that it can't be
Guess it's harder you were meant for me
But I can't hide my own despair
I guess I never will
Oh, so do what you gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever
Have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
So tired of life no fairy-tale
So hold your fire 'cause I need you
Oh, just do what you gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever
Have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
Do what you gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You keep going over
Every word that we've said
But you don't have to worry
About me
The lyrics of Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man's song, Tom the Model, depict the pain of a breakup, the struggles of moving on and coming to terms with the reality of the situation. The opening lines, "How can I forget your tender smile, moments that I have shared with you," reminisce of the happy times the singer spent with their former lover. However, as the song progresses, the tone becomes sad and desperate as the reality of the situation sets in. The singer recognizes that their heart may break, but they have no control over it. They urge their former lover to do what they have to do, even if it means moving on without them.
The chorus of the song reinforces this message, with the repeated phrase, "And don't misunderstand me, you know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me, I'd do it again." The singer is giving their ex the freedom to live their life without regret or guilt, assuring them that they are strong enough to handle the breakup, even though it hurts.
The final lines of the song, "But you don't have to worry, about me," reveal a final message of reassurance to the ex. The singer acknowledges that the breakup is difficult but states that they are willing to move on and are not going to hold a grudge or harbor negative feelings. Ultimately, the song is about coming to terms with the end of a relationship, accepting the pain that comes with it, and wishing the other person the best for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I forget your tender smile
I'm reminiscing the moments we shared together, especially your captivating smile, which still holds a special place in my heart.
Moments that I have shared with you
The memories of the time we spent together are etched in my mind and bring both joy and pain.
Our hearts may break
Even though our relationship may come to an unfortunate end, the love we shared is strong and real.
But they're on their way
Our hearts breaking is an inevitable occurrence that can't be stopped.
And there's nothing I can do
There's no way to prevent our hearts from breaking, which is devastating.
Oh, so do what you gotta do
Despite the unavoidable heartbreak, you have to do whatever it takes to move on, even if it's painful.
And don't misunderstand me
Don't take my words the wrong way; I'm not implying that our relationship isn't worthwhile.
You know you don't ever
I hope you understand that you don't need to worry about my feelings, as I'll be okay eventually.
Have to worry 'bout me
My concern is for you and what you need, not me and my emotions.
I'd do it again
Even though what we had will end in heartbreak, I wouldn't change a thing because the love we shared was worth it.
I can understand that it can't be
I've come to terms with the fact that our relationship has run its course and is no longer viable.
Guess it's harder you were meant for me
Accepting that you and I are not meant to be together is difficult since I felt like we were destined to be.
But I can't hide my own despair
Although I try not to convey my sorrow and disappointment, it's challenging to conceal my heartache.
I guess I never will
It's likely that I'll never be able to hide my sadness entirely, which is unsettling.
So tired of life no fairy-tale
Life is wearisome, and sometimes it feels like there's no magical happy ending for those who deserve it.
So hold your fire 'cause I need you
Please don't give up on me, as I need your support and friendship to get through this tough time.
You keep going over
You're repeatedly dwelling on every word we said and every action we took, trying to figure out where everything went wrong.
Every word that we've said
Every conversation, argument, and confession we had play like a movie in your mind.
But you don't have to worry
However, please don't fret about my emotions, as I'll survive and eventually heal from this heartbreak.
About me
I want you to focus on your feelings and needs, not mine.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BETH GIBBONS, PAUL DAVID WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raspberry481
How can I forget your tender smile
Moments that I have shared with you
Our hearts may break
But they're on their way
And there's nothing I can do
Oh, so do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
I can understand that it can't be
Guess it's hard as you were meant for me
But I can't hide my own despair
I guess I never will
Oh, so do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
So tired of life
No fairy-tale
So hold your fire
'Cause I need you
Oh, just do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
@Wolfhoundersful
How can I forget your tender smile
Moments that I have shared with you
Our hearts may break
But they're on their way
And there's nothing I can do
Ohh...
So do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
I can understand that it can't be
Guess it's hard as you were meant for me
But I can't hide my own despair
I guess I never will
Ohh...
So do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
So tired of life
No fairytale
So hold your fire
Cause I need you
Ohh...
Just do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You know you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
I'd do it again
Do what you're gotta do
And don't misunderstand me
You keep going over every word that we've said
But you don't have to worry
About me
@kirvesjorma
I'm blown away by how good this song is. Just heard it today for the first time. It is unbelievable.
@waitressboy
One of the best songs EVER.
@z1966
agree
@user-fx7ft9zt8o
YESHH
@varletolivet
Fact
@robgoodwin3593
Just discovered this. Can’t even start explaining why it’s so amazing.
@varletolivet
Really
@thesprawl2361
One of those songs that as soon as you hear it its brilliance is just blindingly obvious. It doesn't take a while to grow on you, it doesn't take a second or third listen - the second the chorus rises up you instantly know: this is one of the greatest songs ever written by human hand.
@benthomas1885
Amazing. The backing vocals are so good.
@brunobliss
what a masterpiece