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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DIG IT
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A like a rolling stone
Like the FBI and the CIA
And the BBC--BB King
And Doris Day
Matt Busby
Dig it, dig it, dig it
Dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it
The lyrics of Beth Orton's song Dig It seem to be referencing cultural icons, particularly from the mid-twentieth century. "Like a rolling stone" likely references Bob Dylan's song of the same name, which was a major hit in 1965. The repetition of "dig it" could be interpreted as a command to understand or acknowledge these references. The line "Like the FBI and the CIA" may be a nod to the pervasive use of government surveillance in the 1960s, while "And the BBC--BB King" juxtaposes a British institution with a prominent African-American blues musician. "Doris Day" and "Matt Busby" are both figures from the entertainment world; Day was a beloved movie star and singer, while Busby was a famous soccer manager. Overall, the song seems to celebrate the diverse and sometimes unlikely influences that shape culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a rolling stone
Just like a stone that keeps rolling uncontrollably, things in life may seem out of our hands or beyond our control.
A like a rolling stone
The repeated reference to a rolling stone emphasizes the feeling of things being beyond our control, and maybe even a sense of chaos.
Like the FBI and the CIA
The FBI and the CIA are both secretive government organizations, implying that there are hidden and unknown forces at play in the world.
And the BBC--BB King
The unlikely pairing of the British Broadcasting corporation and famous blues musician BB King suggests the diversity and variety of influences and factors shaping life.
And Doris Day
Doris Day, a well-known actress and singer from the 1950s and 60s, represents a simpler era and nostalgia for the past.
Matt Busby
Matt Busby was a legendary football (soccer) manager, reminding us of the passion and energy of live sports, and the excitement of competition.
Dig it, dig it, dig it
The repeated phrase could be seen as a mantra, urging the listener to dig deeper into life and its mysteries, rather than just accepting things at face value.
Dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it, dig it
The repeated phrase is emphasized even more, suggesting the importance and urgency of understanding the world around us.
Writer(s): Richard Starkey, John Winston Lennon, Paul James Mccartney, George Harrison
Contributed by Samantha B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.