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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Mystery
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something that belongs here
Come and calm your soul
Mystery is born here
Alive, alive, alive, alive
Alive, alive, alive, alive-o
Alive-o
Come and rest your bones
You look awful tired
Fall soft upon the thought
Mystery is born
Alive, alive, alive, alive
Alive, alive, alive, alive-o
Alive-o
And a good day is nothing that we thought
Finding out brings nothing that we sought
Oh please don’t stand a mood apart
You don’t need to break your heart
One day will teach us all a year will never know
Alive, alive, alive, alive
Alive, alive, alive, alive-o
Alive-o
The lyrics of Beth Orton's 'Mystery' express both a promise and a revelation of the inherent mystery surrounding life. The song opens with an invitation where Orton invites us to sing a song, something that belongs in that specific place, perhaps a song that speaks about the mystery or is born from it. She then invites us to come and calm our souls, reminding us once more about the inexplicability and elixir quality of mystery. Hence, we can presume that the intended idea might be that if we sing a song of the mystery, then it will help calm our souls.
The chorus of the song comprises the repetition of the word "alive," which can be seen as an invocation. It's almost as if Orton wants to remind us that we are indeed alive, with all the experiences, joys, and pains that come with it, and that we should embrace the mystery of life because it keeps us going.
The second verse seems to be addressed to someone who is perhaps having a hard time, tired or stressed out, and Orton invites that person to rest their bones and falls soft upon the thought, which could mean contemplating the mystery of life. The bridge is the pivotal moment in the song, where Orton reminds us that a good day is nothing we thought and that finding out brings nothing we sought. In other words, living is not predictable, and we should not cling on to the expectations for living blindly. Then Orton urges us not to stand a mood apart, not to isolate ourselves from the mystery and break our hearts.
Finally, Orton drops the finale which serves as a conclusion and a lasting message that "One day will teach us all a year will never know." Life is enigmatic and vast, and as we live, we will learn more about it.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and sing a song
Invitation to sing in this place where you belong
Something that belongs here
Sing a song that resonates with your soul in this place
Come and calm your soul
Find peace and soothe your troubled soul
Mystery is born here
This is a place where magic and wonder come to life
Alive, alive, alive, alive
The feeling of being fully alive and present in the moment
Alive, alive, alive, alive-o
Emphasizes the vitality and energy of life
Come and rest your bones
Take a break and relax your exhausted body
You look awful tired
You appear to be extremely fatigued
Fall soft upon the thought
Let your thoughts drift gently and peacefully
Mystery is born
The unknown can be a source of beauty and enchantment
And a good day is nothing that we thought
A day can hold unexpected surprises, good or bad
Finding out brings nothing that we sought
Discovering the truth may not always lead to desired outcomes
Oh please don’t stand a mood apart
Don’t distance yourself emotionally from others
You don’t need to break your heart
Don't let your emotions overwhelm you
One day will teach us all a year will never know
A single day can hold powerful lessons that a whole year can never offer
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ELIZABETH CAROLINE ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don P
This song is played at the end of a movie called Saria. It is one one of this years Oscar nominees for Best Live Action Short film. It is even more haunting and impactful when seen within the context of this heart breaking film.
steve doc
I first heard Beth on Radio 1s Mark and Lard show some 15 years ago and still everytime i hear a track from her ,its still as haunting and time slowing as the first time i heard her voice .... Unique and special
Christopher Canning
This is the most beautiful song Beth Orton has ever released.
Portcullis
I hope her next album sees a return to the beautiful style of 'Sugaring Season'. I really did not like 'Kidsticks', though I admired her for trying something different and I enjoyed seeing her on that tour. It was October 2016, so we must be due a new album and tour soon.
Barbara Stepien-foad
so clear, so haunting, so relaxing.
Portcullis
My favourite song from a beautiful album.
David Knapp
Just beautiful.
Gee Bud
This devine voice and feel + her equally top gifted muscians and crew deserve are ... (can't describe ,,,, sheer bliss) BLISS
Barbara Stepien-foad
Beautiful listening
pauliefromphilly
I listen to this over and over. If it were an lp I'd have worn out the needle