While playing the Los Angeles clubs, she enlisted bassist Tal Herzberg and guitarist Jimmy Khoury. In 1993, Hart appeared on Ed McMahon's Star Search several times.
"Beth Hart and the Ocean of Souls" was recorded in 1993. It includes "Am I the One" (re-worked on later album Immortal (1996)) and a pop-rock cover of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."
Hart released her album Immortal with her band Beth Hart Band in 1996.
Her next album, Screamin' for My Supper (Atlantic, 1999), featured "LA Song (Out of This Town)," a top-5 Adult Contemporary Chart hit. At the same time, Hart was singing the lead role in "Love, Janis," an Off-Broadway musical based on Joplin's letters home to her mother.
Hart's Leave the Light On was released in 2003. European releases of the album include extras such as the ballad "Learning to Live" and a duet with Barry Hay, "I Don't Want to Be."
Hart released "Live at Paradiso" in 2005. The DVD version includes a bonus documentary covering "a day in the life" of Hart. She has also recorded with Born ("It Hurts"), Les Paul and Neal Schon ("I Wanna Know You"), and released a number of music video singles not available on CD, including "Shine," "Boogeyman," and "Setting Me Free."
Beth Hart's album 37 Days was released in Europe July 2007.
Hart did a song with Slash called "Mother Maria." That song is on the iTunes version of Slash's solo album, Slash.
Beth's new single was released in May 2010, the track, "Learning to Live," is from an upcoming album of the same name and will be used as the theme song to "Losing It with Jillian" on NBC. this album marks Beth's first new American studio release since 2003.
In 2011 she worked with Joe Bonamassa, first providing vocals for the track "No Love On The Street" on his album Dust Bowl (March 2011). They also worked on an entire album of blues classics together, entitled Don't Explain(released on September 27, 2011).
Beth Hart is married and currently resides in Los Angeles. Her band includes lead guitarist Jon Nichols, bassist Tom Lilly, and drummer Todd Wolf. Her manager is David Wolff.
At the Bottom
Beth Hart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The good church has closed its doors on me
God don't like my dirty feet
Burnin' the lawn-everyone's gone
Ain't no BBQ going on today
I drink my dinner in the shade
Days & days go by
Children laughin'
Still I don't smile at all
Mary's calling to me
"Can't you see what I see"
She would never let me down
[Chorus:]
It's been a long time at the bottom
I spend a lot of time way down there
It's been a long time at the bottom
I don't know how I made it here
Been livin' a lie-my kisses are dry
I got No where else left to run
My love is blind deaf and dumb
Heaven can't wait-to lock up the gate
Tell me that I never could be long
I had my chance but got it wrong
[PreChorus: Repeat]
[Chorus: Repeat]
Mother Mary stay with me
Don't let me die
You're the only god part left of my trash
God knows I can't change me
I've tried and tried
I never meant to make you cry
The lyrics of Beth Hart's song At the Bottom portray the sense of isolation, loneliness, and despair that the singer is experiencing. The first stanza suggests that the singer is feeling rejected by organized religion as the church has closed its doors on them, and they feel that they are not welcome due to their "dirty feet." The second stanza shows the singer observing the people around them engaging in typical suburban activities while they are left alone, drinking their dinner in the shade.
The Prechorus speaks to the singer's inability to derive any pleasure from life despite being surrounded by happy children, and a friend named Mary who is presumably supportive of them but unable to help them feel any better about themselves. The chorus repeats the singer's struggle to come out of their dark phase, having spent a lot of time "at the bottom." The singer admits to lying to themselves and others as their love is "blind, deaf, and dumb."
The final stanza of the song speaks to a longing for redemption and a final plea to Mary to stay with them, as they usher their last breath. The song ends on a note of melancholy, where the singer realizes that they could not change themselves despite their best efforts and regrets the pain they have caused Mary.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold in my breath-not taking a step
Feeling hesitant and unsure about moving forward and taking action
The good church has closed its doors on me
Being rejected by a religious institution that was once a source of comfort and guidance
God don't like my dirty feet
Feeling unworthy and rejected by a higher power due to one's perceived flaws and imperfections
Burnin' the lawn-everyone's gone
Feeling isolated and alone, with no one around to socialize or connect with
Ain't no BBQ going on today
Experiencing a sense of loss and longing for the company and warmth of others
I drink my dinner in the shade
Coping with loneliness and despair by using substances like alcohol to numb the pain
Days & days go by
Feeling that time is passing without any real progress or change being made
Children laughin'
Being aware of the simple joys of life that one is unable to experience
Still I don't smile at all
Feeling unable to access happiness or positivity, despite the presence of potentially joyful situations
Mary's calling to me
Feeling a longing for spiritual guidance and support from a higher power
"Can't you see what I see"
Desperately seeking clarity and insight into one's situation
She would never let me down
Finding comfort in the belief that a higher power will never abandon or forsake them
It's been a long time at the bottom
Having experienced a prolonged period of struggle, pain, and difficulty
I spend a lot of time way down there
Feeling trapped in a cycle of despair and hopelessness
I don't know how I made it here
Feeling surprised at having survived their hardships and made progress despite overwhelming odds
Been livin' a lie-my kisses are dry
Hiding one's true self and emotions from others, leading to a sense of emptiness and inauthenticity
I got No where else left to run
Feeling that all escape routes have been exhausted, leaving one with no other options
My love is blind deaf and dumb
Experiencing a sense of love that is all-consuming and all-encompassing, but ultimately unproductive
Heaven can't wait-to lock up the gate
Feeling that it is too late to seek redemption or a better outcome in life
Tell me that I never could be long
Coming to the realization that one has been doomed to failure and misery from the start
Mother Mary stay with me
Seeking protection, comfort, and guidance from a higher power
Don't let me die
Expressing a fear of death and the unknown that lies beyond it
You're the only god part left of my trash
Acknowledging that one's life has been difficult and troubled, but finding hope and purpose in the belief in a higher power
God knows I can't change me
Recognizing one's flaws and limitations and perhaps surrendering control to a higher power
I've tried and tried
Having made repeated attempts to improve one's life or situation, but with minimal success
I never meant to make you cry
Regretting one's mistakes and the pain they may have caused others
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
pjdambra
This song is just another example of Beth Harts brilliance.. She's in a league of her own.. Nobody can sing and write like Beth... Just Brilliant....
Jane Dough
wow, I cried when I heard this song for the first time just now. Beth, it was like u reached into my heart and translated my emotions into song. Thank u for allowing us the honor of sharing a piece your heart & soul, pain & passion. Maybe it's selfish to want to know others have felt this way...idk...but I do know I desperately needed to hear this & needed to know that other people have felt this too & survived. I don't feel so lost abandoned & alone now. THANK U, BETH!!
Steven Lotz
Your definitely not alone … I was an addict for years and just recently had 9 years sober ... Survived? No... As an addict I think its still a fight, I can never let myself think the fight is over...
Valarie Engler
+Jane Dough you said it the best!!!
Barbiej44
Well.....I am crying. What a beautiful spirit. I can totally relate to this song.
Kaye Whye
Like any good song, it has the meaning the artist intended, while remaining open to the interpretations of those who hear it. It is one of those songs that can fit almost ANY person's inner struggles, and hold the light for them to find their way out. My brother called this song "uplifting", for me it was exactly the opposite when I first heard it, but now I can see his point.
Angélique Nomade
God lifted her up with His pure Love.... This girl is Loved and Cherished by God. Beth Hart she is a Gem.... God blessed her ... Thank You for this Lady
Sheri Angel
Amazing, just totally awesome song!
xXxdiamndgrlxXx
prefer the live version, but this is great too. she is so intense, an amazing artist.
ingrid
You are amazing beth what a beautiful voice ❤️