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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Central Reservation
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last night's red dress
And I can still smell you on my fingers
And taste you on my breath.
Stepping through brilliant shades
Of the color you bring
But this time, this time, this time
Is whatever I want it to mean.
If this is where memories are made,
I'm gonna like what I see.
And everything I ever took for granted,
I'm gonna let it be.
I step through every shade
Of the color you bring
But this time, this time, this time
Is whatever I want it to mean.
And everything and nothing is
As sacred as we want it to be
When it's real. Make it real.,
Compared to what?
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
It's like living in the middle of the ocean
With no future, no past,
And everything that's good about now
Might just glide right past.
I'm stepping through brilliant shades
Of the color you bring.
But this time, this time, this time
Is fine just as it is.
And everything is sacred here,
And nothing is as sacred as I want it to be,
When it's real.
Compared to what?
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah.....
Ba da ba, ba da ba, ba da ba ba ba da ba, yeah yeah.
In Beth Orton's song "Central Reservation," the singer is reminiscing about a past lover as they travel down a central reservation. The lyrics suggest that the singer is still very much connected to their ex-lover, as they can still smell and taste them. The color imagery in the song, particularly the reference to brilliant shades, is related to the idea of the lover's impact on the singer's life, and how every memory is colored by them. However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer is in control of what these memories mean to them, and that they are able to find peace with the fact that everything, both good and bad, is sacred in its own way.
The hook of the song is "Compared to what?" which serves to question the value and meaning of everything in comparison to the significance of the love that the singer has experienced. The lyrics also speak to appreciating the present moment and letting go of past regrets or taking things for granted. The song ultimately carries a message of finding value and sanctity in every moment of life, even without the presence of a past lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Running down a central reservation.
I'm moving forward in a straight line, with no alternate path.
Last night's red dress
The memory of you wearing a red dress is still fresh in my mind.
And I can still smell you on my fingers
The scent of your skin still lingers on me.
And taste you on my breath.
The taste of you is still on my lips.
Stepping through brilliant shades
I'm experiencing a range of intense emotions.
Of the color you bring
These emotions are brought out by my memories of you.
But this time, this time, this time
This moment is unique and special.
Is whatever I want it to mean.
It's up to me to find meaning in this moment.
If this is where memories are made,
This moment could become a cherished memory.
I'm gonna like what I see.
I'm excited by the possibilities of this moment.
And everything I ever took for granted,
I'm finally appreciating the things I previously overlooked.
I'm gonna let it be.
I'm going to allow things to unfold naturally.
And everything and nothing is
The significance of everything is defined by each individual's perception.
As sacred as we want it to be
Our personal beliefs determine what we consider sacred.
When it's real. Make it real.,
When something is genuine, it holds great value.
Compared to what?
How does this moment compare to other experiences?
It's like living in the middle of the ocean
I feel stranded and uncertain in this moment.
With no future, no past,
I'm purely focused on the present moment.
And everything that's good about now
I'm trying to appreciate the positives of this moment.
Might just glide right past.
These positive aspects might go by unnoticed if I don't pay attention.
This time, this time, this time
This moment is unique and special.
Is fine just as it is.
I'm content with this moment as it is, with no need for further analysis.
And everything is sacred here,
This moment is imbued with a great sense of importance.
And nothing is as sacred as I want it to be,
Despite this importance, I'm aware that the value of this moment is subjective.
Ooh yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
(repeated lyrics)
Ba da ba, ba da ba, ba da ba ba ba da ba, yeah yeah.
(repeated lyrics)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BETH ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahcraven916
Went down to a central reservation
In last night's red dress
And I can still smell you on my fingers
And taste you on my breath
I'm stepping through brilliant shades
Of the color you bring
This time, this time, this time
Is fine just as it is
Today is whatever I want it to mean
Today is whatever I want it to mean
If this is where memories are made, well,
Dreams do come true
Everything I ever took for granted
I want to see it through
I step through every shade
And the color you bring
This time, this time, this time
Is fine just as it is
Today is whatever I want it to mean
Today is whatever I want it to mean
It's like
It's like
It's like
Living in the middle of the ocean
With no future, no past
And everything that's good right now
Well, I don't wish for it to last
I'll step through brilliant shades,
Every color you bring
This time, this time, this time
Is fine just as it is
And today is whatever I want it to mean
And today is whatever I want it to mean
Today, today is whatever I want it to mean
Today is whatever I want it to mean
@shruggzdastr8-facedclown
Beth's still high up on my list of favorite female musicians and singers!
@markwheeler999
23 years later this still sounds fantastic ❤
@BogartChannel7
Doesn't seem to matter how long ago this video was, it just gets better each time you watch it.
@Daniel-te5lo
i landed in san francisco the year this came out .this song i made my personal anthem to those 13 stressed but memorable months .song as fresh now as then..!!
@benzinapaul7416
beautiful song, timeless and so underrated
@lyndac14
How did I forget Beth Orton? No more ❤️
@splendorneko2788
enamored by her voice and music style—original and unbeatable
@MisterMoonMan
At work I listen to youtube songs that I've organized into playlists - I start my day clicking "play all" and have music for my whole day. One day, a few months ago, this song (which I've never heard before) came up on my playlist. Irritated by youtubes constant ads and commercials I thought this was another one of those weird things but before I could click to the next video, I actually liked what I heard and ended up officially adding this song to my playlist. Best random pop-up ever!
@davelevey9074
One of the best music video's ever such fun created and Beth is also very cute too
@lunaricabarren3624
2023 ❤️✨️