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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She Cries Your Name
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering where you have been, Your lonely voice calls
across the starlit coast, Reaching out to be seen.
[Chorus:]
She cries your name,
three times again,
She cries your name,
Cut beneath the surface screen of what we say and what we
seem, Is a trick to be seen, She keeps crying out your name,
But her scream sound the same, How fickle fate can be.
[Chorus]
Birds that scream for territory can learn to sing
euphorically, Give him time an' he's real, And there's a
wasteland in your soul the burned out trees will leave you
cold, Living out an ideal.
[Chorus: x2]
Beth Orton's She Cries Your Name appears to be a song about unrequited love, loneliness, and the vulnerabilities that come with love. The song opens with the image of someone falling from the western shore, most likely referring to a relationship that has come to an end, leaving one feeling lost and alone. The lyrics describe a voice calling out across the starlit coast, reaching out to be seen, suggesting the desperation of the singer's need to be recognized and cared for. The chorus repeats the phrase, "She cries your name," emphasizing the repeated pleas for someone's attention and love. The line, "How long can this love remain?" suggests a sense of inevitability, that somehow this love will eventually come to an end.
The second verse delves deeper into the complexities of love, suggesting that what we say and what we appear to be is just a surface layer. The singer implies that true love is often a trick to be seen, as people hide their true feelings and intentions. The line, "How fickle fate can be," highlights the fragility and unpredictability of love. The song's final verse compares the singer's cry for love to that of territorial birds screaming for dominance. The singer suggests that though this love may seem euphoric, the reality is that it is wasteland in one's soul, with burned-out trees that leave one feeling cold. The line, "Living out an ideal," ties together the idea that the dream of love is often more beautiful than the reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Falling from the western shore to find yourselves alone again,
After enduring a tumultuous journey, you end up stranded and lonely, with no familiarity or support system in sight.
Wondering where you have been, Your lonely voice calls across the starlit coast, Reaching out to be seen.
In this bleak environment, you contemplate where you came from, and you make a cry for someone to notice and help you find your way back.
She cries your name, three times again, She cries your name, How long can this love remain.
In a moment of emotional distress, someone calls out for you by name, but how long can this love actually endure in the face of uncertainty?
Cut beneath the surface screen of what we say and what we seem, Is a trick to be seen, She keeps crying out your name, But her scream sound the same, How fickle fate can be.
If you dig deeper below the surface of what people express, you'll find a lot of hidden agendas and emotional games. One may keep calling out for help, but in the end, the lack of change can be discouraging.
Birds that scream for territory can learn to sing euphorically, Give him time an' he's real, And there's a wasteland in your soul the burned out trees will leave you cold, Living out an ideal.
In nature, territorial screams turn into beautiful melodies over time, and patience can bring about something authentic. However, in your own soul, a barren landscape filled with hopelessness and disillusionment can grow from pursuing an unachievable ideal.
She cries your name, three times again, She cries your name, How long can this love remain.
Once again, someone in emotional turmoil makes a desperate plea, wondering if their love can really survive the hardships they face.
Chorus: x2
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the sadness and desperation felt by someone who's lost and isolated by life's circumstances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sentric Music
Written by: WILLIAM ORBIT, BETH ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colinsmith2742
Falling from the western shore to find yourselves alone again
Wondering where you have been
Your lonely voice calls across the starlit coast reaching out to be seen
She cries your name three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain
Cut beneath the surface screen of what we say and what we seem, is a trick to be seen
She keeps crying out your name
But her scream sound the same, how fickle fate can be
She cries your name three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain
Birds that scream for territory can learn to sing euphorically
Give him time and he's real
And there's a wasteland in your soul the burned out trees will leave you cold, living out an ideal
She cries your name three times again
She cries your name,
How long can this love remain
She cries your name three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain
@maiawoodbine8952
Falling from the western selves
To find yourself alone again
Wonderin' where you have been
Your lonely voice
Calls across the star lit coast
Reaching out to be seen
She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
Cut beneath the surface screen
Of what we say and what we seem
Is there truth to be seen?
She keeps cryin' out your name
But her scream sounds the same
How fickle fate can be
She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
Birds which scream for territory
Can learn to sing euphorically
Given time that is revealed
And there's a wasteland in your soul
The burned out trees will leave you cold
Living out an ideal
She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
She cries your name
Twelve times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
@stevieg8934
Just can’t believe this was first released in 1996 !!!! Still sounds fresh today in 2023, Great tune and love it
@eins2001
Almost sounds fresher now!
@Andrew-uv1sm
What can I say. Apart from Kate Bush, Beth Orton has one of the most haunting voices ever!! .As with Kate Bush, she gives me major goosebumps!!WOW.❤
@botulf4908
Agree on those two and will add Julianne Regan (All About Eve)
@rubywine9487
Music is always strongly linked to memories of when you listened to it the most. For me this song is quintessentially late 90s. And it is stunning.
@robertwilloughby8050
Agree on all three, will add Sandy Denny.
@rogerjones332
Dear Beth Orton, thank you for this masterpiece ❤️
@freddiereagan6705
Yeah
@scottwilliams5794
Short and straight to the point...great.
@iangalbraith1993
I’d love to hear this for first time again. Gave me goosebumps