Their music has featured on numerous film and TV soundtracks. The song "Dry the Rain" from their 1997 debut EP, Champion Versions, later to be released on the 3 EP's album, was possibly their most popular track and was famously featured in the John Cusack film, High Fidelity. The song "Smiling" from the self titled album "The Beta Band" is the background music to the UK's Soccer AM, Cross-Bar challenge. "Needles in My Eyes" was featured on a fourth season episode of House MD.
Well known fans include John Cusack, Mani, from Primal Scream and Stone Roses and Noel Gallagher.
Their live performances were legendary, often ending with the whole band playing percussion. Their dancing and energy got the whole audience moving, often in the same style as their idols on stage. Their "Best of" CD contains a CD of them playing live at the Shepherds Bush Empire in one of their final gigs and manages to capture some of this energy. It has been suggested, sometimes by the band themselves, that they were better live than recorded.
Steve has now released an album under his own name after his post-Beta Band projects Black Affair and King Biscuit Time, John, Robin and Gordon Anderson aka Lone Pigeon have formed The Aliens (www.myspace.com/thealiens1) and Rich is The General & Duchess Collins.
Dr Baker
The Beta Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He left a note, he's still yawning
Dr. Baker phoned me in the morning
He left a note, she couldn't make it
How did she ever take a lesson outside his head?
Dr. Baker phoned me in the morning
He couldn't understand, he was a busy man
Tried to reach him again, plead with him:
Please come please come please come"
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
overandoverandover
hovering and hovering and hollering home
Dr. Baker phoned me again later that day
Said he cried and he really sounded out of it
His wife was dead and his dog was dead
And misery planned inside his head
I tried to reason with him, tried singing
He said: "No boy you'll never listen"
Try it again
Try it again
Try it againgaingaingaingain
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
See me lost inside
You will see me lost how high
overandoverandover
overandoverandover
I'm a overandoverandover
I'm hoveringhovering oh
I'm a hoveringhovering oh
I'm a hoveringhovering oh
The Beta Band's song Dr. Baker shares a narrative about a man named Dr. Baker who contacts the singer earlier in the morning with some news, which he explains in a note since he was still yawning at the time. Later in the day, Dr. Baker calls the singer again to inform him that his wife and dog had recently died and that he was struggling with misery and sorrow. The singer tries to comfort Dr. Baker through music, but the doctor seems to be beyond reachable regardless of the singer's efforts. The song presents themes of loss, disconnection, and hopelessness, as well as the limitations of communication as an instrument of empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
Dr. Baker phoned me in the morning
The singer received a call from Dr. Baker in the morning.
Left a note, he's still yawning
Dr. Baker left a note saying he was tired.
Dr. Baker phoned me in the morning
Dr. Baker called the singer again in the morning.
Left a note, she couldn't make it
Dr. Baker's assistant couldn't attend the meeting.
How did she ever take a lesson outside his head?
The artist wonders how Dr. Baker's assistant could learn from him.
Dr. Baker phoned me in the morning
Dr. Baker called the singer yet again in the morning, but was too busy to talk.
He couldn't understand, he was a busy man
Dr. Baker was too busy to comprehend the singer's message.
Tried to reach him again, plead with him
The artist attempted to contact Dr. Baker once more, begging him to listen.
Please come please come please come
The artist implored Dr. Baker to come to their meeting.
See me lost inside
The artist feels lost and unsure.
You will see me lost how high
Their feelings of loss are heightened and amplified.
Hovering and hovering and hovering on
The artist feels stuck in a state of indecision.
I'm a hovering and hovering and hovering on
The singer continues to feel adrift and uncertain.
Dr. Baker phoned me again later that day
Dr. Baker called the singer once more, but this time with tragic news.
Said he cried and he really sounded out of it
Dr. Baker was emotional and distraught when he called.
His wife was dead and his dog was dead
Dr. Baker's loved ones had recently passed away.
And misery planned inside his head
Dr. Baker was consumed by grief and despair.
I tried to reason with him, tried singing
The singer attempted to comfort Dr. Baker through conversation and music.
He said 'no boy you'll never listen'
Dr. Baker rejected the singer's attempts to console him.
Try it again
The artist is determined to keep trying to help Dr. Baker.
Try it again
The artist repeats their resolve to keep trying.
Try it again (gain gain gain gain)
The artist repeats their determination to not give up, even if it takes multiple attempts.
I'm a hovering and hovering and hovering on
The singer continues to feel lost and uncertain.
I'm a hovering on
The artist remains in a state of indecision and limbo.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICHARD GREENTREE, ROBIN JONES, JOHN MACLEAN, STEPHEN PAUL MASON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Howard Marriott
One of the most brilliant songs I've ever heard
Joshy_dubs
the most under rated band of the 90's ++++
Gary Rouyea
Man...you said it there!
Jackjude
suppose they came at the end of 90's, most the album's were 00's though.
riversidepete 61
by far one of the best bands to come out of u.k in the 1990's. they run the gamut
in musical styles adding lots of hidden humor to the songs. too bad they broke up
Carlton Breezy
+riversidepete 61 I agree 100%
Elfin Mid Century
So glad I discovered Beta Band. I am sharing the experience of humanity with these folk.
subsonic sound
Good man
ck675
Radiohead influenced nearly everyone, and The Beta Band influenced Radiohead. These dudes are THE hidden gem
Paul T
Bought the 3EPs back in the day. Never really got with the rest of their output in the same way, but 24 years later I keep coming back again and again.