Beth Orton (born Elizabeth Caroline Orton, 14 December 1970, in East Dereha… Read Full Bio ↴Beth Orton (born Elizabeth Caroline Orton, 14 December 1970, in East Dereham, Norfolk) is a BRIT Award–winning English singer-songwriter, known for her 'folktronica' sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She initially came to notice for her collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers in the mid-1990s. However, these were not Orton's first recordings as she had released a solo album, Superpinkymandy, in 1993. Since the album was only released in Japan, it went largely unnoticed by international audiences. Her second solo album, Trailer Park, garnered much critical acclaim in 1996. Orton developed a devoted audience with the release of the albums Central Reservation (1999) and the 2002 UK top 10 album, Daybreaker. In her 2006 release, Comfort of Strangers, she moved towards a more folk-based sound and away from the electronic sound of her past albums.

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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where do you go
Beth Orton Lyrics

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Now when I need you
You're nowhere around
Just when I'm going then
You're taking a trip down town
How do you fly so far
With the world in disguise
Do the people around you
Put you to where they need you

Where do you go
When the wind doesn't blow
Are you still like the trees
Only bend with a breeze

I long to smell you
To feel you within
I need you near to me
Just the touch of your skin
I want to hear you
And tell you again
But so much can happen
Makes it harder to explain

Where do you go
When the wind doesn't blow
Are you still like the trees
Only bend with a breeze

You think I need no one
You're always around
Turning on a sixpence
Locked in the crowd
Now when I need you
You're nowhere around
Just when I'm going down
You're takin' a trip down town

Where do you go
When the wind doesn't blow

Are you still like the trees
Only bend with a breeze

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beth Orton's song "Where Do You Go" capture the bittersweet feeling of missing someone who seems to slip away just when they are needed the most. The song seems to be addressed to someone who comes and goes unpredictably, disappearing just when the singer needs them most. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer lamenting that this person is nowhere to be found just when they are needed most. She wonders how they can fly so far with the world in disguise and whether the people around them are the ones directing them to where they need to be.

The chorus then poses the central question of the song: where does this person go when the wind doesn't blow? Do they still move like the trees, bending with the breeze, or are they more rooted than they seem? The second verse continues the theme of missing this person, with the singer longing to smell and feel them, needing them near for just the touch of their skin. But she also acknowledges that so much can happen that makes it harder to explain why they are apart.

The final verse seems to lament the fact that this person is always around when they don't need them but disappears just when they're needed most. It's particularly poignant that Beth Orton repeats the same lines from the first verse to bookend the song, driving home the point that this person is still absent when she needs them most.

Overall, "Where Do You Go" is a beautifully written song that captures the melancholy feeling of missing someone who is always just out of reach. While the lyrics can be interpreted in different ways depending on the listener's own experiences, the beauty of the song lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions and memories of loved ones who are no longer part of our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Now when I need you
When I require your attention or help

You're nowhere around
You are not present or available

Just when I'm going then
Right at the moment when I am leaving

You're taking a trip down town
You are going to the city

How do you fly so far
How do you travel such a great distance

With the world in disguise
While the world appears different or altered

Do the people around you
The people in your vicinity

Put you to where they need you
Guide you to where they require or want you to be

Where do you go
To which location do you travel

When the wind doesn't blow
During moments of stillness or stagnation

Are you still like the trees
Do you remain steady like the plants