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
https://www.bethortonofficial.com
I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby do you know what you took away?
You took the blue out of the sky
My whole life changed when you said goodbye
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Every day is just like the day before
All alone a million miles from shore
All of my dreams, I dreamed with you
Now they will die and never come true
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
You know there would not be
This cloud that's over me
Everywhere I go
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
There wouldn't be this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
I wouldn't mind the rain
The lyrics of Beth Orton's song "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine" are about heartbreak and how it can change a person's entire life. The song is based on the idea that the singer wishes she had never met her lover or experienced the highs of the relationship in the first place, so that she wouldn't have to suffer the emotional pain of its end. She sings mournfully about the impact this loss has had on her, such as taking the blue out of the sky and feeling as though she is all alone a million miles from shore. The lyrics are visceral and emotional, exploring the depth of the pain that she feels as she tries to move on from the relationship.
The repetition of the line, "I wish I never saw the sunshine" throughout the song highlights the idea of regret and the feeling that everything was better before this person came into her life. The line "if I never saw the sunshine baby, then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain" speaks to the idea that the singer may have been better off having never experienced happiness, because it made the fall from it so much harder to bear. The sadness of the lyrics is emphasized by the slow, melancholy melody that accompanies them.
Overall, "I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine" is a poignant and heart-wrenching expression of the pain of heartbreak, encapsulating the sense of loss and regret that comes with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby do you know what you did today?
Do you realize the impact of your actions?
Baby do you know what you took away?
Do you realize what you have taken from me?
You took the blue out of the sky
You have removed all the beauty from my life.
My whole life changed when you said goodbye
You leaving has completely altered my life.
And I keep crying
I cannot stop crying.
Crying
I am consumed by my tears.
Oh, baby
I long for you deeply.
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I regret ever experiencing happiness.
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Without the joy, the pain wouldn't hurt as much.
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
I could bear the sadness if it was all I'd ever known.
Every day is just like the day before
Life feels monotonous without you.
All alone a million miles from shore
I feel adrift and isolated without you.
All of my dreams, I dreamed with you
My future was intertwined with yours in my dreams.
Now they will die and never come true
My hopes for the future are now gone forever.
You know there would not be
Imagine a world without you.
This cloud that's over me
The darkness that feels inescapable.
Everywhere I go
The pain follows me always.
Oh, this pain
Excruciating heartbreak.
There wouldn't be this pain
Without loving someone, there would not be heartbreak.
I wouldn't mind the rain
I could bear the sadness if it was all I'd ever known.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: ELLIE GREENWICH, JEFF BARRY, PHILIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bobby Bob
Baby do you know what you did today?
Baby do you know what you took away?
You took the blue out of the sky
My whole life changed when you said goodbye
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Every day is just like the day before
All alone a million miles from shore
All of my dreams, I dreamed with you
Now they will die and never come true
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
You know there would not be
This cloud that's over me
Everywhere I go
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
There wouldn't be this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
I wouldn't mind the rain
Songwriters: Ellie Greenwich / Jeff Barry / Philip Spector
I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Jameel R
Going through a rotten breakup right now. This one expresses just how I feel about her right now. Beth Orton speaks my broken heart.
Leslie Ray
Hang in there...gets better with time...
berlinmitte10117
I hadn't heard this one before tonight, but what an absolutely beautiful, soaring and haunting song. Brilliant.
Bobby Bob
Baby do you know what you did today?
Baby do you know what you took away?
You took the blue out of the sky
My whole life changed when you said goodbye
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Every day is just like the day before
All alone a million miles from shore
All of my dreams, I dreamed with you
Now they will die and never come true
And I keep crying
Crying
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
You know there would not be
This cloud that's over me
Everywhere I go
Oh, baby
Oh, baby
I wish I never saw the sunshine
I wish I never saw the sunshine
And if I never saw the sunshine baby
Then maybe I wouldn't mind the rain
Oh, this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
There wouldn't be this pain
I wouldn't mind the rain
I wouldn't mind the rain
Songwriters: Ellie Greenwich / Jeff Barry / Philip Spector
I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
ldmax
What a stunning interpretation of the Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich classic originally performed by the Ronettes. Breathtaking depth of emotion! She makes you FEEL it!
KissHope
So lyrically delightful and performed beautifully. This is real talent.
John Harvey
This song is important to me. Over ten years ago I lived with someone I loved very much. She was pregnant and we were young and unsure so we didn't have the baby. Things started to fall apart after that. We broke up but continued to live together for a month until I found a house to rent. She would work during the day and I at night. This song was on my play list and I would get home from work, drink about 20 beer and listen. I moved out and a couple months later we got back together...only for another month. The decisions we make... I hear this song and I can smell our apartment, hear her voice, think of what could have been...
Steve Carroll
A life well-lived has heartbreak and loss- that's how you know you're living it.
Jon Alarcon
I guess we all make choices that we regret
teestat
I buried my boy to this 19 years ago and it still tears me up everytime i hear it. I miss him so much. It was his birthday 2 days ago.