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Beth Orton — She Cries Your Name
Album: Trailer Park
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1811









Released: 1996
Length: 4:41
Plays (last 30 days): 4
Falling from the western selves
To find yourself alone again
Wonderin' where you have been
Your lonely voice
Calls across the star lit coast
Reaching out to be seen

She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?

Cut beneath the surface screen
Of what we say and what we seem
Is there truth to be seen?
She keeps cryin' out your name
But her scream sounds the same
How fickle fate can be

She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?

Birds which scream for territory
Can learn to sing euphorically
Given time that is real
And there's a wasteland in your soul
The burned out trees will leave you cold
Living out an ideal

She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?

She cries your name
Three times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?

She cries your name
Twelve times again
She cries your name
How long can this love remain?
Comments (125)add comment
To my eternal shame, for the crime of not checking who opened for The War On Drugs last summer at the Trinity College Summer series, I missed all but Beth Orton’s
final two songs.

But The War on Drugs were awesome.
 Jelani wrote:

vowels according to Orton:
Ay-hey, Ee-hee, Eye-hi, Oh-ho, You-hoo 




No, that's Florence + The Machine.
 Jelani wrote:

vowels according to Orton:
Ay-hey, Ee-hee, Eye-hi, Oh-ho, You-hoo 


Ha! You made me giggle  
I love Beth Orton's music.
more wonderful music by beth
 EssexTex wrote:
heeb wrote: And how about the Pretenders? doesn't she sing with extra vibrato?...Peter Gabriel sounds like a death gurggle..and Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar...they all have original singing styles so if you're going to complain about Orton, include the others too
Or, why complain at all? Don't like, PSD! It's that simple! But no.... Better to criticize, eh? Personally, not only do I enjoy Beth's music, I bet she's a pretty cool Babe! Married, a Mom, and all! She just seems like she'd be fun to hang out with! IMHO, of course! 

After enjoying her for so many years on RP I at long last saw Beth Orton and her band perform at the Birchmere here in Va. on Sept. 11. Sure glad I went!
Thanks RP! 
I found Beth from listening to RP.  I am a huge fan of everything they play by her on this station.  Catchy beats, I hope to see her in a few weeks at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC
 EssexTex wrote:
heeb wrote: And how about the Pretenders? doesn't she sing with extra vibrato?...Peter Gabriel sounds like a death gurggle..and Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar...they all have original singing styles so if you're going to complain about Orton, include the others too


"...Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar." Hahah! Accurate, but I guess that's why I love him!
 belegato wrote:

A bit "Billy-Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge" but good all the same, esp. the guitar work. 



Definitely a good call. I love the Tallahatchie Bridge song, and the movie. It's got the same pleasant jerky almost on the fringe of blues dancing percussion.
A bit "Billy-Joe MacAllister's jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge" but good all the same, esp. the guitar work. 
 EssexTex wrote:
heeb wrote: And how about the Pretenders? doesn't she sing with extra vibrato?...Peter Gabriel sounds like a death gurggle..and Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar...they all have original singing styles so if you're going to complain about Orton, include the others too
I think there's a difference between a distinctive voice and a singing style. Some trademark styles become self parody and therefore for me detract (Michael Jackson's squeak, John Martyn's slur, Dolores O'Riordan's uplift, Eddie Vedder's wobble, Natalie Merchant's dynamic flatness). Gabriel's voice sounds like he's singing chords rather than notes. 




 weedyjoe wrote:

British singer, I can tell from how she pronounces "uh-gayn." Plus it almost rhymes with "name."


uh-huh-gayn
Gawd I love her voice! She could sing the phone book and I'd buy the single!
 Typesbad wrote:

She added her voice to a key electronica track from William Orbit. Casting age discrepancies and created names aside, I always like to think that they first met in grade school when the class was arranged by alphabetical order.


except she is English :) 
Ggreat voice and that lead denuded of contacts on the notes is terrific.
Oh man Bill is mind melding with me again. How does he do it? He knows exactly what I need to hear at the very moment I need to hear it and he delivers.
RP is SO cool! 
British singer, I can tell from how she pronounces "uh-gayn." Plus it almost rhymes with "name."
 Hannio wrote:
...And Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge...
 
Still, so sad.
This song is timeless. I've listened to it 1000 times over the years and still love it.

Bill just mentioned after playing it that the album (released in 1996) is almost as old now as Beth was when she recorded it. Can't believe it's been that long.

I went to see her in a small club in Boston in November 1998, performing with Ron Sexton. Great show.

Never was there a better decade than the 90s.
 belba wrote:

Yes, I can agree that! a complete better contrast to the local/national radio stations here.

Greetings from Germany too ;-)
 

Ich weiss es nicht warum Deutschlander sprech English so gut wann unser American leute kann nicht...
That's the best I can do 44 years after studying German in high school.
Und ja sicher, Radio Paradise ist das bestes!
-John
Only giving this Beth Orton number a 9 so that later on, sometime when I really need it, I'll bump it to a 10. 
 rommesw wrote:
I didn't know the Artist nor this song - great!! Will check out the Album. Such songs are the reason I love listening to Radio Paradise from Germany! 

 
Yes, I can agree that! a complete better contrast to the local/national radio stations here.

Greetings from Germany too ;-)
Man, I love her voice—as distinctive as they come.
The Deadhead chicks be dancin' an' twirlin' to this. Listen to that bass slide down your spine. Beth Orton is on tour with a new album out. Sweet! https://www.bethortonofficial.com/
 coding_to_music wrote:
Almost 20 years - wow

 
Older even, since this song was originally on her debut album that no one's heard, superpinkymandy, which was a Japan-only release...
Woman be praised for the information.
 Proclivities wrote:

Beth Orton has done quite a bit of electronica stuff - in fact, she's often labeled "folktronica".  Anyhow, there aren't a whole lot of fans of those genres here - at least not compared to the other genres.  A "standby for one song" would generally result in a classic rock tune here.

 
She added her voice to a key electronica track from William Orbit. Casting age discrepancies and created names aside, I always like to think that they first met in grade school when the class was arranged by alphabetical order.
I didn't know the Artist nor this song - great!! Will check out the Album. Such songs are the reason I love listening to Radio Paradise from Germany! 
Ode To Billy Joe opening guitar?
Almost 20 years - wow
Haven't heard this in ages.  Such a treat!  This album had a huge impact on me when it was first released. Entrancing! 
Sorry to be crude here, but upon first glance...the woman in cover art looks as though she crapped her denim.
Always a treat hearing Beth and her unique vocal stylings...the music she puts behind is often just as intriguing; overall, it's a masterful effect! It's all pretty amazing to me, and over the years, she has and is continuing to produce some genuine masterpieces here and there.
My favourite song of hers, from my favourite album of hers. Maybe it's the William Orbit touches and production that makes it that little bit different, but nothing she's done since has quite matched this one, for me.
Just saw an interview on "Q" (CBC). She is really shy. Camera shy. You could tell because it was a combined radio/video podcast interview with Ghomesi that she knew she was on camera - and she didn't particularly like it. Not a well-spoken person, either. Not a criticism. An observation. I actually bumped this track UP. She's quite compelling at times.
 bobzane wrote:
Beth Orton is tall
  This made me laugh out loud.


You know, her vocal stylings used to really annoy the crap out of me.
Now I'm finding that I'm starting to really like her, when the hoo haa hee hee's aren't too over the top. 
Beth Orton is tall
 Jelani wrote:
vowels according to Orton:
Ay-hey, Ee-hee, Eye-hi, Oh-ho, You-hoo 
 
Perhaps that's why Bill placed it after Ray (breathy intake) La(breathy intake) Montagne.
I'm just here for the bridge.
Perfectly beautiful
 toterola wrote:
You had me, up to the part about Van. He is a drunk telling war stories, isn't he? Just kiddin'! Beth Orton is great, you electronica and techno fans just take a standby for one song, okay?
 
Beth Orton has done quite a bit of electronica stuff - in fact, she's often labeled "folktronica".  Anyhow, there aren't a whole lot of fans of those genres here - at least not compared to the other genres.  A "standby for one song" would generally result in a classic rock tune here.
 Jelani wrote:
vowels according to Orton:
Ay-hey, Ee-hee, Eye-hi, Oh-ho, You-hoo 
One line per verse, no big deal.  Nice song 

vowels according to Orton:
Ay-hey, Ee-hee, Eye-hi, Oh-ho, You-hoo 
{#Puke} Yuk !!!
sexy song!
She's great, love all her music!
Gotta get me some Beth...heap good housework stuff!
 
Why is it I love this artist so?   Just seems like everything she does has such a special feel.
Sometimes when I hear this song start up, I think it's going to be Tallahatchie Bridge.  Not sure why...
Always loved this one!{#Cheers}
...And Billy Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge...
 toterola wrote:


You had me, up to the part about Van. He is a drunk telling war stories, isn't he?

Just kiddin'! Beth Orton is great, you electronica and techno fans just take a standby for one song, okay?
 

Hey now, I'm an electronica & techno fan but I also appreciate Beth! We can have diverse tastes.
This girl has some great music. I just noticed that she sounds like Nathalie Merchant — and thusly is initially annoying as hell — if you don't have a tolerance for NM's voice.
Love me some Beth.
I'm not a fan, but I'm likin' this tune. The strings are kinda cool.
While sitting here listening to RP, unemployed and wondering about my future somehow Beth Orton's voice and music soothes my soul.
Eerie Beat . . . this all mixes so well.  Water from a Vine Leaf (Orbit) is quite nice also
She has always excellent sleeves.
I adore that kind of photography.
{#Hearteyes}
EssexTex wrote:
And how about the Pretenders? doesn't she sing with extra vibrato?...Peter Gabriel sounds like a death gurggle..and Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar...they all have original singing styles so if you're going to complain about Orton, include the others too
You had me, up to the part about Van. He is a drunk telling war stories, isn't he? Just kiddin'! Beth Orton is great, you electronica and techno fans just take a standby for one song, okay?
I see from other comments that I'm not the only one who finds her a bit "off". Sorry, just not music I would bother to have on my list. Leaves me flat. Coffee house dribble.
Time for some immediate action from the moderator, at least........
heeb wrote:
I fi-hind thi-his ra-hather annoying a-hactually... e-hespecia-hally the-he co-honstant i-hinsertion o-hof e-hextra-ha sy-hyllables...
And how about the Pretenders? doesn't she sing with extra vibrato?...Peter Gabriel sounds like a death gurggle..and Van Morrison like a drunk telling war stories in a bar...they all have original singing styles so if you're going to complain about Orton, include the others too
Essbee wrote:
Ode to Billy Joe.
That's not a bug, it's a feature!
heeb wrote:
I fi-hind thi-his ra-hather annoying a-hactually... e-hespecia-hally the-he co-honstant i-hinsertion o-hof e-hextra-ha sy-hyllables...
Hahmmm. I confahess that I nehever nohoticed thahat befohor.
Essbee wrote:
Ode to Billy Joe.
Spot on!
Ode to Billy Joe.
bokey wrote:
A whole festival for knee injury victims?They sure take their football serious in Texas.
he he he
I thought this was new work from Beth when it kicked in. How have I missed hearing this song before now? Sublime.
cc_rider wrote:
Say her at ACL Fest a few years back. c.
A whole festival for knee injury victims?They sure take their football serious in Texas.
liser wrote:
Beautiful segue from "Empty" - always a pleasure to hear Beth Orton, too!
I agree...one tune is in D and the other in B-...very nice in musical terms too.
Say her at ACL Fest a few years back. Awesome. She sounded good even when she was cursing like a sailor on shore leave! c.
Beautiful segue from "Empty" - always a pleasure to hear Beth Orton, too!
Beth continues to generate very interesting music! No surprise to hear her on RP, though not often enough
webslinger48 wrote:
Not bad. But once you've heard the William Orbit version of this song on Strange Cargo's Hinterland, there is simply no going back. Orbit-Orton is a magical combo.



You've got that right. Hearing this makes me want to pull my Hinterland CD out.

Not bad. But once you've heard the William Orbit version of this song on Strange Cargo's Hinterland, there is simply no going back. Orbit-Orton is a magical combo.
Beth is good.
This song is so evocative—of something. I'm still working on what exactly. I keep thinking of the arcade at the amusement park I went to as a teenager, which makes very little sense. It must be a feeling I associate with that place and this song. Anyway, I'm enjoying this in a sort of vaguely creepy, nostalgic way.
candyspam wrote:
i've heard this song before -- think it was Strange Cargo. or maybe Bhuda Bar?
Strange Cargo. I've never heard this, the original, before, but it makes me appreciate William Orbit's take more.
Interesting intro--so western/country sounding, with those strings at moments I thought I was hearing tornado sirens.
The only downside to this song is that it is HORRIBLY over-played here in Austin. KGSR needs some new cd's. Badly.
I fi-hind thi-his ra-hather annoying a-hactually... e-hespecia-hally the-he co-honstant i-hinsertion o-hof e-hextra-ha sy-hyllables...
She's pretty cool
Hauntingly beautiful song. Totally original, not derivative of anything or anyone. Excellent!
Love this song! and Beth's tripping intro really gets me going...yes! More interesting music on RP!
long time no hear...
For Gracie: She cries your name...
revevad1 wrote:
Same here!
Me three. Very powerful vocals.
roguewarer wrote:
Yet ANOTHER artist RP has clued me in on. Humble thanks.
Same here!
Perfect early morning track. From one of my all-time favourite albums.
Wow. Excellent lead-in from PF-M. Also 10.
Yes, I've always thought its remarkable how BO sounds like Sandy Denny, and the celtic flavor of the music contributes, too. samiyam wrote:
God this song is soooooo good! It's a cross between modern and old-style folk! Reminds me of the really good "Fairport Convention" stuff back before Sandy Denny blew out her voice and fried her brains on booze.
Here is some talent. Those lyrics, the arrangement-- a most difficult song to sing--TRY IT! Thank you, finally some good music. That violin in the background, just cries, doesn't it?
phillips wrote:
what's another of her good ones?
Every album she has done is outstanding. Get them all.
I really enjoy Beth Orton, interesting voice, interesting songs, just yummy!
RP + Me = Too many iTunes purchases.
phillips wrote:
what's another of her good ones?
All of the above...Beth Orton continues to amaze me, especially because so many people don't really know her, shame really...spread the word!
what's another of her good ones?
bought this CD on accident and she is now one of my favs.
i've heard this song before -- think it was Strange Cargo. or maybe Bhuda Bar?
God this song is soooooo good! It's a cross between modern and old-style folk! Reminds me of the really good "Fairport Convention" stuff back before Sandy Denny blew out her voice and fried her brains on booze.
Good tune
voxhound1 wrote:
Remember 'Billie Joe McAlister'?
I heard that, too. gave me a bit of turn. both kewl...
gotta love that voice! and those strings are exactly what a name being cried would sound to me...
What a nice blending of vocal talent and electronics!
Groovin' 8)
new to me. pretty cool. :-s
Ahh, my first sampling of Ms. Orton's talents... memories.
An original artist..refreshing and liberating
Patrick wrote:
Beth talks to the whales.
You mean like Dorie in Finding Nemo? I really like this tune.
Beth talks to the whales.
Originally Posted by voxhound1: Remember 'Billie Joe McAlister'?
Yes! Wow, I thought I was the only one making that connection.
This was the first song I heard by Beth Orton and I\'ve liked her ever since!
Has got the warmth, lots of (digitally recorded) music is often lacking.
After at least a year of wondering, I finally I know who sings this song. (Thank You Playlist feature, and internit radio in general). I\'ve been trying to guess, from a number of possibles andit turns out to be someone I\'ve never heard of. I love the song, I hope the CD as others just as interesting, \'couse I\'m heading out to buy it.
This is my favourite Beth Orton song :D
Nice lyrics, nice voice, but the violinist needs some coffee.
Just tried to find this song on Limewire- nope! Too bad. I may go and buy this through the PR links! I thought it was very engaging!
The tone of her voice and her accents shows some resemblance to that of Dolores from the Cranberries. Nice tune.
Smooth... Cool...