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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Sugar Boy
Beth Orton Lyrics
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Sugar boy its all over now,
Ain't your loving,
But the things that you do,
Listen boy I'm getting tired of you,
Sugar boy what you trying to do,
Well I told you I loved you,
Told you I loved you,
You beat my heart black and blue,
I told you I loved you,
Now what more can I do,
Do you want me to lay down
And die for you.
Sugar boy its all over now,
Sugar boy its all over now,
Went to the doctor,
Told me something was wrong,
Listen girl you shouldn't feel so alone.
Sugar boy what you trying to do,
Well I told you I loved you,
Now what more can I do,
Told you I loved you,
You beat my heart black and blue,
I told you I loved you,
Now what more can I do,
Do you want me to lay down
And die for you.
Lay down and die,
Lay down and die,
Well I'm not gonna lay down and die,
No I'm not gonna lay down and die,
Oh no I won't lay down and die,
Never gonna lay down and die,
Oh no I'm never gonna lay down and die for you,
Oh no I'm never gonna lay down and die for you,
I'm never gonna lay down and die.
In the song "Sugar Boy" by Beth Orton, the singer seems to be addressing her lover who she calls "Sugar boy" throughout the song. It would appear that she is telling him that their relationship has come to an end, saying "Sugar boy its all over now." She goes on to say that it's not his loving that has caused this, but rather the things he has done. It seems that his actions have caused her to become tired of him.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that it's over now, and the singer tells him that she has told him she loves him, but he has beaten her heart black and blue. She seems to be asking what more she can do after telling him she loves him. The second verse tells us that the singer went to the doctor and was told that something was wrong. She tells the Sugar boy that he shouldn't feel alone, which could be interpreted as her being empathetic towards how he might be feeling as a result of the breakup.
The last verse, which repeats the line "lay down and die" several times, seems to be the singer's way of saying that she is not going to let this breakup break her. Despite the pain she is feeling, she is not going to give up or let the situation defeat her.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar boy its all over now,
The relationship is finished, Sugar boy.
Ain't your loving,
It's not your love that's the issue.
But the things that you do,
It's your behaviour that's the problem.
Listen boy I'm getting tired of you,
I'm growing tired of your actions, Sugar boy.
Sugar boy what you trying to do,
What exactly are you attempting to do, Sugar boy?
Well I told you I loved you,
I've confessed my love to you.
Now what more can I do,
What else is there for me to do?
You beat my heart black and blue,
You've hurt me terribly.
Do you want me to lay down
And die for you.
Are you expecting me to give up my life for you?
Went to the doctor,
I went to see a doctor.
Told me something was wrong,
The doctor told me something was not right.
Listen girl you shouldn't feel so alone.
Don't feel alone, girl.
Lay down and die,
Give up and die.
Well I'm not gonna lay down and die,
I will not give up.
Oh no I'm not gonna lay down and die,
I refuse to give up.
Never gonna lay down and die,
I will not give up my life for anyone or anything.
Oh no I'm never gonna lay down and die for you,
I will not give up because of you.
I'm never gonna lay down and die.
I refuse to give up.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TED BRETT BARNES, BETH ORTON, ALI FRIEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind