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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Sweetest Decline
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whispers are not hers to share.
She's deep as a well.
She's deep as a well.
Another day wastes away,
And my heart sinks with the sun.
A new day's dawning,
So, anyway,
There I was,
Just sitting on your porch
Drinking in the sweetest decline.
The sweetest decline.
Sober mind
What's the use in regrets
They're just things we haven't done yet.
What are regrets?
They're just lessons we haven't learned yet.
Another day draws away,
And my heart sinks with the sun.
It's like catching snow on my tongue.
It's like catching snow on my tongue.
So, anyway,
There I was,
Just sitting on your porch
Drink in the sweetest decline.
The sweetest decline.
Sober mind
What are regrets?
What are regrets?
They're just lessons we haven't learned yet.
It's like catching snow on your tongue.
You can't pin this butterfly down.
Can't pin this butterfly down.
The lyrics of Beth Orton's song "Sweetest Decline" are imbued with an air of mystery and introspection which makes it open to various interpretations. One of the central themes of the song revolves around the singer's willingness to embrace life and accept its unpredictable nature. The first verse highlights the idea of keeping secrets and the implication that the person is not willing to share them with anyone else. It could be an indication of the singer's private and guarded nature or a reflection of the fact that some things remain hidden and informed. The phrase "She's deep as a well" reinforces this idea that there is a lot more beneath the surface than what meets the eye.
The following verses convey the singer's sense of disappointment with life and the feelings of despair that creep in every day. The imagery of the sun setting and rising anew emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and how one day blends into another. The line "drinking in the sweetest decline" could be interpreted as an affirmation of the singer's acceptance of the inevitable decline of life. The second set of verses delves into the idea of regret and how it relates to human nature. The singer seems to be trying to rationalize and make sense of the concept of regret, perhaps to find a way to move past it. By comparing regrets to lessons not learned, there's an implication that life is a process of growth, learning, and making peace with the past.
Overall, "Sweetest Decline" is a song full of metaphors and symbols that can be interpreted and reinterpreted in countless ways. It speaks to the human condition of longing, loss, and acceptance in a way that is relatable and moving.
Line by Line Meaning
She weaves secrets in her hair
She holds secrets close, hidden within herself.
The whispers are not hers to share.
She cannot reveal what others have confided in her.
She's deep as a well.
There is much beneath the surface of her personality and emotions.
Another day wastes away,
Each day seems to be slipping by without meaning or progress.
And my heart sinks with the sun.
As the day passes, a sense of sadness or loss weighs heavy on the artist's heart.
A new day's dawning,
There is always hope for a fresh start with each sunrise.
And a new day has not yet begun.
Despite the possibility for change, the singer is stuck in a rut and unable to move forward.
What's the use in regrets
Dwelling on past mistakes is futile and only leads to negative emotions.
They're just things we haven't done yet.
Regrets represent missed opportunities, chances for growth and experience that were not taken.
It's like catching snow on my tongue.
The ephemeral and delicate nature of memory and emotion is like trying to catch snowflakes before they melt.
So, anyway,
The singer is changing the topic, making a new point, or brushing off a mention of something unpleasant.
There I was,
The artist is recalling a specific moment, often with nostalgia or regret.
Just sitting on your porch
The singer is experiencing a moment of calm and reflection.
Drinking in the sweetest decline.
There is pleasure in experiencing the slow decay or fading of something beautiful or bittersweet.
The sweetest decline.
The process of decline or fading can be beautiful or poignant.
Sober mind
The artist is conscious and clear-headed, not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
You can't pin this butterfly down.
The artist is elusive and cannot be easily controlled or contained.
What are regrets?
The singer is questioning the value and purpose of feeling regret.
They're just lessons we haven't learned yet.
Regrets represent opportunities for growth and learning that have not yet been realized.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BETH ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T Cadogan
Who's still listening to this song in 2020!!
She's is so underappreciated not is unreal!!
Sweetest Decline is timeless!!!
Janine Thirlwell
2022
Alain Clément
i agree....i saw her 5 times on stage, here in Paris, and she's able to renew her, and renew her voice, it's incredible.....Love her....
Melbastar
2022 and all of the years in between. Love her
Krzysztof Kaczorowski
Hi
R C
2023!
Gordon Cape
Beth Orton is ,quite simply, the most sublimely gifted singer/songwriters of her generation, and one of the most gifted artists I have ever heard. The fact that she is not a superstar shames musical taste globally. 'The Sweetest Decline' is a slice of pure musical brilliance. It is one of the most sublime tracks I have ever heard.
Jp Richie
Like a snowflake on my tongue....beyond Dylan beyond everyone. You can't pin this butterfly down....So very soft and as mighty as a sledgehammer...
Matthew Stull
seriously !!!!
Danielle Wagner
My father gave me this CD when I was going through a difficult time in my life. I still fall back on this when life brings me changes.