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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Ted's Waltz
Beth Orton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pack in it all and heed to the call
Beat a drum to decide on a sketch or design
Can you see to the light of bare winter night?
And wipe out the sun from your eyes
That vicious sky
Wipe out the sun from your eyes
See the way you are, feel the way you move
So sweet, so deep
The sum of it all
So deep, so sweet
I see you again
I see you again
Once you feel something real
Let me know, let it show
I could be your honey
And let it go, there you go
And if you should need me through someone else's eyes
And if into me you see more than disguise
I come down to your knees
And if ears could speak
I'd like to think what they'd say to inspire
Your sweetest desire
Since I first met you I found the love I lost
It's just like you, looks just like you
You move so sweet, so deep
The sum of it all
So sweet, so deep
I see you again
I see you again
If we should meet again in some darkened room
I hope to my soul it could be soon
Beat a path to my side, a sketch for design
Can you see through the light to bare winter night?
And wipe out the sun from your eyes
That vicious sky
Wipe out the sun from your eyes
'cause some sleep to lie
See the way you are, feel the way you move
So deep, so cool
You burn through it all
It's the shape of your hand
A tone I understand
And since I first met you I found the love I lost
Looks just like you, looks just like you
The lyrics to Beth Orton’s song Ted’s Waltz is an emotional and introspective portrayal of lost love and the possibility of reconciliation. The opening lines are profound as they suggest the uncertainty of whether two lovers may meet again. It's an immediate acknowledgement of the profound changes that could have occurred between them, and the obstacles they’ll have to overcome. These lines are followed by a description of an artistic and creative attempt to collaborate again, “Beat a drum to decide on a sketch or design.” The creative process suggests that the lovers seek to channel their artistic and emotional energy together.
The lyrics then move on to describing the character of the person, alluding to their romantic interest’s movements or behaviors. This description is manifested through sensory language, “see the way you are, feel the way you move, so sweet so deep.” The sensory description deeply engages the listener's emotions, enabling them to have a better understanding and connection with the song's main character. The lyrics continue to suggest the loss of something important, an emotional connection that has been lost between the two characters, “since I first met you, I’ve found the love I lost, looks just like you. You move so sweet, so deep." The song ends on a profoundly deep and emotional channel, expressing a desire to reunite with a lover and find redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
If we should meet again on some darkened street
If we happen to run into each other in some dimly lit corner
Pack in it all and heed to the call
Put everything aside and focus on the moment
Beat a drum to decide on a sketch or design
Create a plan, and make a decision
Can you see to the light of bare winter night?
Can you see clearly in the darkness of winter?
And wipe out the sun from your eyes
Forget everything else for a moment
That vicious sky
The harsh reality of life
'cause some sleep to lie
Because we sometimes deceive ourselves
See the way you are, feel the way you move
Notice everything about yourself
So sweet, so deep
Your personality is incredibly attractive and genuine
The sum of it all
It's everything together that makes you special
I see you again
You're always in my mind
Once you feel something real
When you experience something meaningful
Let me know, let it show
Tell me about it, don't keep it hidden
I could be your honey
I could be there for you
And let it go, there you go
And then move on
And if you should need me through someone else's eyes
And if someone else can understand and help you
And if into me you see more than disguise
And if you can see past my facade
I come down to your knees
I am humbled by you
And if ears could speak
If we could hear what we really needed to hear
I'd like to think what they'd say to inspire
I'd like to believe that they would motivate us
Your sweetest desire
Your deepest, most passionate wish
Since I first met you I found the love I lost
I found something I thought I had lost when I met you
It's just like you, looks just like you
It reminds me of you
If we should meet again in some darkened room
If we reunite in a dimly-lit space
I hope to my soul it could be soon
I really hope it happens soon
Beat a path to my side, a sketch for design
Come to me with a plan
So deep, so cool
You're calm and collected
You burn through it all
You inspire me to keep going
It's the shape of your hand
It's the little things that make you unique and special
A tone I understand
I can relate to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TED BRETT BARNES, BETH ORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind