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.
http://beth-orton.co.uk
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Blood Red River
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never did find my way home in time to forgive her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always grab what they'd never grasp?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
Is it only a dream away?
Took a raft I found across some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time for my dinner
Why must people always want what they never have?
Why is it a crime to miss a part of you that's bled?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake?
I'm sure we used to stay
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream away, away
Lost a friend I found down some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time to forget her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always take but forget to ask?
How do we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
Where I'm told we used to play
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream, only a dream away, away
The opening lines of Beth Orton's song "Blood Red River" set the stage for a story of loss, regret, and longing. The singer describes crossing the titular river with a friend, but they never make it home in time for some sort of confrontation or forgiveness. The repetition of the question "why must people always want what they can't have?" suggests a sense of frustration and futility, as if the singer is trapped in a cycle of desire and disappointment. The lilac-lilied lake, which is mentioned throughout the song, represents a lost paradise, a place of innocence and joy that the singer remembers but can no longer access. The final lines of the song, "only a dream away," suggest that this lost world might still be within reach, but it remains elusive.
Throughout the song, Orton's voice is accompanied by sparse, haunting instrumentation that reinforces the sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The use of the word "blood" in the title and several times in the lyrics adds a sense of danger and violence to the imagery, but it's unclear whether this is a literal or metaphorical bloodshed. The repeated references to wanting what one can't have and taking without asking suggest that the song is exploring themes of desire, entitlement, and loss.
Overall, "Blood Red River" is a poetic and emotionally resonant song that captures a sense of longing and regret. The singer's journey across the river represents a search for something lost - a friend, a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose - but ultimately, the song suggests that these things might be irretrievable.
Line by Line Meaning
Took a friend I found across some blood red river
I crossed a river with a newfound friend who I ended up losing.
Never did find my way home in time to forgive her
I was unable to forgive the friend I lost on that river journey because I couldn't find my way back home in time.
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Humans always seem to desire what they can't attain.
Why must people always grab what they'd never grasp?
People tend to pursue things that they are unable to fully understand or achieve.
How did we get so far?
This line questions how the people in this situation managed to get so far from where they originally started.
How do we move so fast away
This line is a query about how quickly people leave and move in different directions from where they were originally situated.
From the lilac-lilied lake
The people in this situation are being asked why they moved away from the beautiful lake surrounded by lilies.
I'm sure we used to stay?
The artist is uncertain as to why they are no longer residing near the previously mentioned lake.
Is it only a dream away?
The artist is wondering if the lake and everything associated with it only exists in their dreams.
Took a raft I found across some blood red river
The artist used a raft to cross the same river, but this time they lost themselves instead of a friend.
Never did find my way home in time for my dinner
The singer was unable to return home in time for dinner because they couldn't find their way back after losing themselves on the river.
Why must people always want what they never have?
People always seem to yearn for things that they can never possess.
Why is it a crime to miss a part of you that's bled?
This line questions why it feels like a crime to miss someone or a part of one's self that has been lost or hurt.
Lost a friend I found down some blood red river
The singer is now mourning the loss of a friend who they had found while crossing the same river mentioned in the previous verses.
Never did find my way home in time to forget her
The singer still can't forget the friend they lost on that fateful river journey because they were unable to find their way back home in time.
Why must people always take but forget to ask?
People tend to take things for granted and forget to inquire about what others want or feel.
Where I'm told we used to play
The artist is being told that they used to play around the same lake with friends, but they have now all dispersed.
Only a dream, only a dream away, away
The lake and the memories associated with it feel like they are now far away and only accessible in dreams.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BETH ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
chanytube
Lyrics
Took a friend I found across some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time to forgive her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always grab what they'd never grasp?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
I'm sure we used to stay?
Is it only a dream away?
Took a raft I found across some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time for my dinner
Why must people always want what they never have?
Why is it a crime to miss a part of you that's bled?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake?
I'm sure we used to stay
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream away, away
Lost a friend I found down some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time to forget her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always take but forget to ask?
How do we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
Where I'm told we used to play
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream, only a dream away, away
Songwriters: BETH ORTON
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind
Eric
it's amazing when an artist can sound EXACTLY like the studio album
Sam Prus
I bought a couple tix to go with my wife to see Beth play in 2013. We filed for divorce before the concert but still went together. Her singing this song during that concert, while I was sitting next to my soon to be ex, was a pretty brutal moment. But in a good way :) Cheers!
Pris
I remember discovering her for the first time watching her perform this song on Jools Holland in 99 or 2000 and being extremely moved. Was looking for that performance, but this is equally as good. Love her.
gwenhwyfar1
This is one of my favourite songs, Beth Orton sings so deep...beautiful!
Richie M
beth told me she loved me once. This is one of her greatest individual performances in my opinion. Just incredible. Ted Barnes is also a marvel.
CSLJ Motorsport F1
love it!! got me through my travels a thousand times.
bohsblur
Best femail singer out there, CLASS.
bohsblur
her best.. haunting yet beautiful. i am in love..
chanytube
Lyrics
Took a friend I found across some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time to forgive her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always grab what they'd never grasp?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
I'm sure we used to stay?
Is it only a dream away?
Took a raft I found across some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time for my dinner
Why must people always want what they never have?
Why is it a crime to miss a part of you that's bled?
How did we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake?
I'm sure we used to stay
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream away, away
Lost a friend I found down some blood red river
Never did find my way home in time to forget her
Why must people always want what they can't have?
Why must people always take but forget to ask?
How do we get so far?
How do we move so fast away
From the lilac-lilied lake
Where I'm told we used to play
Is it only a dream away?
Only a dream, only a dream away, away
Songwriters: BETH ORTON
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
For non-commercial use only.
Data From: LyricFind
reinaldo ballesteros
Adoro a beth, adicto a su lirica y su pluma elegante y afilada..... larga vida her majesty, desde 🇨🇱 con love supreme