Beth Hart (born January 24, 1972) is an American singer-songwriter who beca… Read Full Bio ↴Beth Hart (born January 24, 1972) is an American singer-songwriter who became famous with the hit "LA Song (Out of This Town)", which aired during Episode 17 of the 10th and final season of Beverly Hills, 90210. Her musical influences include rock, blues, gospel, jazz, and classical.

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.

Face Forward
Beth Hart Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you a liar
Or are you a thief
Are you a dog
Cause I am the leash
Are you a son
Or are you a bitch
I am your God
The scratch you can't itch

Face forward son
Face forward son
You are your gun

I'll beat you down
Your back I will break
I'll make you beg
I'll make your soul shake
This ain't no nursery
So kiss that floor
This is your life
The american core

Face forward son
Face forward son
You are your gun

Are you a liar
Or are you a bitch

I am your God
The scratch you can't itch

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beth Hart's "Face Forward" are packed with confrontational and somewhat violent imagery that is difficult to interpret at first glance. The song is essentially a warning to whoever might be listening to "face forward" and to take responsibility for their actions, or else face the consequences.

The first stanza is particularly aggressive, with the singer asking if their subject is a liar, thief, or dog, essentially calling them out for any deceitful or traitorous behavior. The second stanza sees the singer asserting their dominance, calling themselves "God" and their subject a "bitch" - it's a clear power struggle that's being portrayed.

In the chorus, the singer tells their subject to "face forward" and to recognize that they are the ones in control of their own lives, or at least the ones pulling the triggers. The lines "You are your gun" signify that a person's actions reflect their own personal choices and motivations, and that they are ultimately responsible for their own lives.

The last stanza is similar to the opening one, with the singer asking if their subject is a liar or a bitch - it's almost as if they're trying to provoke a response, or catch their subject in a trap. There's a sense of danger and unpredictability throughout the song, and the repeated refrain of "face forward" serves as a stark reminder of the need to stay focused and own up to one's own actions.

Line by Line Meaning

Are you a liar
Do you speak the truth or do you deceive?

Or are you a thief
Do you steal from others or do you earn honestly?

Are you a dog
Do you act like a loyal companion or like an uncontrollable animal?

Cause I am the leash
I am in control and you are restrained by my power.

Are you a son
Are you a respectful and obedient child of God?

Or are you a bitch
Do you act cowardly and submissive like a female dog?

I am your God
I am the ultimate authority in your life.

The scratch you can't itch
You are powerless to resist my commands and control.

Face forward son
Look ahead with determination and don't look back.

You are your gun
You are responsible for your own actions and choices.

I'll beat you down
I will physically and emotionally harm you.