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Beth Orton — Stolen Car
Album: Central Reservation
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4494









Released: 1999
Length: 5:13
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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You walked into my house last night
I couldn't help but notice
A light that was long gone still burning strong
You were sitting, your fingers like fuses
Your eyes were cinnamon

You said you stand for every known abuse
That was ever threatened to anyone but you
And why should I know better by now
When I'm old enough not to?

While every line speaks the language of love
It never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can't decide over right or wrong
I guess sometimes you need the place where you belong

Some may sing the wrong words to the wrong melody
It's little things like this that matter to me
Others feel that you should stand
For every known abuse to hand
And all the things that they could never see

You said you stood for every known abuse
That was promised to anyone like you
Don't you wish you knew better by now
When you're old enough not to?

When every line speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I can't decide over right or wrong
You left the feeling that I just do not belong

One drink too many and a joke gone too far
I see a face drive like a stolen car
Gets harder to hide when you're hitching a ride
Harder to hide what you really saw

Oh yeah, you stand for every known abuse
That I've ever seen my way through
Don't you wish I knew better by now?
Well I think I'm starting to

When every line speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I've lost the line between right or wrong
I just want to find the place where I belong

Why should you know better by now
When you're old enough not to?
I wish I knew better by now
When I'm old enough not to
Comments (414)add comment
 averybadcat wrote:

Years ago this is the one that originally turned me on to her. Such an authentic voice which holds its own against incredible accompaniment.  I recall i was in love then, and that is gone, but i am still defenseless against the song.



Posted 1 month ago by sunward    [ Reply ]
I adore Beth
Posted 1 month ago by bigbobbybubba    [ Reply ]
 DragonSixGolf wrote:

This may be my favorite song. Ben Harper's first few dizzy notes take me somewhere else. First heard it here and 13 years later her voice and words seem more powerful each time. i wish I knew better by now...


Hear Here!  Her vocals are great, especially on this song, but Ben's slide guitar takes this song from really good, to just something special...so cool.
Posted 1 year ago by stevieslo    [ Reply ]
 rommesw wrote:


I think you are right, doing the same now


I just did the same. Love her voice!
Posted 1 year ago by chiefbrody    [ Reply ]
 johnalexford wrote:

Just bumped this from 8 to 9. Great track and love her voice. 



I think you are right, doing the same now
Posted 1 year ago by rommesw    [ Reply ]
I love this song.
Posted 1 year ago by bufallo    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

She's about to leave the lousy bum:

When every line speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I've lost the line between right or wrong
I just want to find the place where I belong


I'm worried she may not leave the bum yet:

I wish I knew better by now
When I'm old enough not to
Posted 1 year ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
Saw Beth Orton last week in San Francisco. The show was enjoyable but her voice is almost completely shot. She missed as many notes as she hit. I don’t think the voice was ever strong but this was sad to hear.
Posted 1 year ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 arnimf wrote:

Great song, fantastic guitar, let down a bit by the generic drums and congas.




cmooon its so much funnn
Posted 2 years ago by mrarchitekt    [ Reply ]
Love Beth Orton.
Posted 2 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
This is a masterpiece on so many levels. 
Posted 3 years ago by Coreus    [ Reply ]
 DragonSixGolf wrote:

This may be my favorite song. Ben Harper's first few dizzy notes take me somewhere else. First heard it here and 13 years later her voice and words seem more powerful each time. i wish I knew better by now...



Always interesting to read comments on RP. I've been listenning this song for 20 years and I didn't know about Ben Harper featuring.
Posted 3 years ago by Petit_Bonhomme    [ Reply ]
the first track I heard off this CD and still my favorite. "I can name that tune in..." very distinctive intro
Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 kbs wrote:
 johnalexford wrote:
Ms. Orton has such a distinctive voice - more, please!
 Yet I automatically thought Natalie Merchant  when I heard this. I thought I liked Beth's delivery but not Natalie's in most cases. I'll have to listen more of Beth's songs to recalibrate...

 
Look after the king of R n R please 
Posted 3 years ago by 69Grace_M    [ Reply ]
 johnalexford wrote:
Ms. Orton has such a distinctive voice - more, please!
 Yet I automatically thought Natalie Merchant  when I heard this. I thought I liked Beth's delivery but not Natalie's in most cases. I'll have to listen more of Beth's songs to recalibrate...

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
That phrase, "fingers like fuses...",  gets me every time!
Posted 3 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
Love that smirk on the cover! 
Posted 3 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Just bumped this from 8 to 9. Great track and love her voice. 
Posted 3 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
Ms. Orton has such a distinctive voice - more, please!
Posted 4 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
I gave this an over-enthusiastic 9 becuz I dig the whole album
Posted 4 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
Excuse me, Mr. Harper? Your tone and feel on this one are just off the charts.
 

A fabulous collaboration!
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs that make you stop and listen.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Always loved Beth and when this song came out, I swore it was meant for me.
Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
This song foretold the fabulous Daybreaker record.  A real gem.
Posted 4 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
Reminds me a lot of Scott B. Sympathy, a Toronto "super group" of the folk singer Scott B and the guitar wailings of Ian Blurton from Change of Heart back in the 80s. 
Posted 4 years ago by wadoflove    [ Reply ]
More than a touch of brilliance with this one. 
Posted 4 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Excuse me, Mr. Harper? Your tone and feel on this one are just off the charts.
Posted 5 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
She's about to leave the lousy bum:

When every line speaks the language of love
And never held the meaning I was thinking of
And I've lost the line between right or wrong
I just want to find the place where I belong

Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 jmddj wrote:
Sounds like Natalie Merchant trying to channel Patti Smith.
 
Nah, that would be the 10,000 Maniacs cover of "Because The Night".  Beth Orton sounds nothing like either of those singers to me but we all hear different things.

Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Still love this song. Harpers guitar sure helps, but it's a pretty damn fine tune.
Posted 5 years ago by pyrateparadox988    [ Reply ]
 Larry_Rosenow wrote:
 Video better then this album cover for sure.
 
Love her expressions on that video
Posted 5 years ago by rtrt    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Natalie Merchant trying to channel Patti Smith.
Posted 5 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
Great voice, great song. 
Posted 5 years ago by timqueeney    [ Reply ]
Everything from Daybreaker is great!
Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
Never fails to bring it. All of it. Thanks for the play!
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Her voice - oh YUM. And Harper's freakin guitar... like the love child of Kevin Breit and Martin Tielli. *phew*
Posted 5 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
Long Live   Radio Paradise
My rating only 7 and sinking ...
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
Video better then this album cover for sure.
Posted 5 years ago by Larry_Rosenow    [ Reply ]
Pretty cool Youtube video.
Posted 5 years ago by Larry_Rosenow    [ Reply ]
Wish she would tour more.
Posted 5 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Moving Stolen Car up to a 9. I wish there was an Alexa Play It Again feature. A few more plays and I'd have all my choreography down pat & fully worked out on Stolen Car and ready for Instagram. (Joke!) 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 AZJeff wrote:
I'd love to hear this live  .   .   .  kicked up a notch
 
with that great guitar!

Posted 5 years ago by klaasstap    [ Reply ]
Love anything by beth
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Nice song 👌
Posted 5 years ago by Segal21    [ Reply ]
Man, this song sounds so good every time. 
Posted 5 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
I'd love to hear this live  .   .   .  kicked up a notch
Posted 5 years ago by AZJeff    [ Reply ]
Her work has all the right bits and pieces- good song ideas, good playin', and her "interesting" voice, lot of creative bits... but it doesn't  seems to come together fully. I never am moved by the ideas or grooved by the music.
Posted 6 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Y'all should've been at our wedding. Funny thing is she still thinks she's married to someone else. Go figure.
You start with her music videos here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbohqLuAYb8
and let the rest on the site play one after the other. Beth Orton and her bands trip hop folktronic magic for hours. It's a trip to be seen!

Thank you so much Bill and Rebecca for featuring her on RP!
Posted 6 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
When a Beth Orton song comes on, I stop what I'm doing, crank up the volume, and let the spell that she weaves come right over me.
Posted 6 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
After reading all the comments and the lyrics, it's such a pleasure to just listen to this great performance.
Posted 7 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
Thanks to Annie for the recommendation and the CD - pity I didn’t pick up on it sooner! pxd
Posted 7 years ago by pxd    [ Reply ]
Her best song for me! 
Posted 7 years ago by david16    [ Reply ]
This may be my favorite song. Ben Harper's first few dizzy notes take me somewhere else. First heard it here and 13 years later her voice and words seem more powerful each time. i wish I knew better by now...
Posted 7 years ago by DragonSixGolf    [ Reply ]
Beth has, with this song, finally nudged me into "like".
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
The very reason I listen to this station is to hear music that I have never heard before, good song, and now heard by these old ears.{#Cheers}
Posted 8 years ago by bm.deavenport613    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Amazing, to think that she & Ben did this in '99; I've liked her since RP intro but my appreciation of her has really grown over the years.

 
hasn't waned for me either
Posted 8 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
So glad PSD is here at these moments. 
Posted 8 years ago by FrankDebbieCote    [ Reply ]
Can't believe that was 17 years ago!
Posted 8 years ago by Jamespwoodpile    [ Reply ]
Another pretty damn good song I've never heard before! RP is on a roll this morning!
Posted 8 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Amazing, to think that she & Ben did this in '99; I've liked her since RP intro but my appreciation of her has really grown over the years.

 
Me too.
Posted 8 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Amazing, to think that she & Ben did this in '99; I've liked her since RP intro but my appreciation of her has really grown over the years.
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 Rotterdam wrote:


 
{#Lol}
Posted 9 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:

Longest attack of hiccups

Charles Osborne (1894-1991) of Anthon, Iowa, the US, started hiccupping in 1922 while attempting to weigh a hog before slaughtering it.

He was unable to find a cure, and continued hiccupping until February 1990, a total of 68 years.

During the first few decades, he hiccupped up to 40 times a minute, slowing to 20 a minute in later years.


 Thanks be that this only lasted a few minutes
 

 


Posted 9 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]

Longest attack of hiccups

Charles Osborne (1894-1991) of Anthon, Iowa, the US, started hiccupping in 1922 while attempting to weigh a hog before slaughtering it.

He was unable to find a cure, and continued hiccupping until February 1990, a total of 68 years.

During the first few decades, he hiccupped up to 40 times a minute, slowing to 20 a minute in later years.


 Thanks be that this only lasted a few minutes
 
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Beth, I know my truck is easy to steal. It's an old tin box, but it's clean, rust-free and I need it for work.

Please, Beth, do not steal my vehicle. I really have to put my family in a better house.

Thank you. 
Posted 9 years ago by CaffeineSam    [ Reply ]
RP introduced me to her with this song. I have only a couple of her albums, so I don't know if this is her best work or not, but I love this song.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 gillespp wrote:
Still not tired. And I played it on my own twice since November 22.

 
Been listening to this a long time. Love it.
Posted 9 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
Listening to this entire CD in my car these days.  The entire CD is excellent.  Play more!
Posted 9 years ago by jgehred    [ Reply ]
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
While every lie speaks the language of love, 
It never held the meaning i was thinking of

Love it!!

 
Still love it!!
Posted 9 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
Years ago this is the one that originally turned me on to her. Such an authentic voice which holds its own against incredible accompaniment.  I recall i was in love then, and that is gone, but i am still defenseless against the song.
Posted 10 years ago by averybadcat    [ Reply ]
Jeebus, that's a great song!
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Great song, fantastic guitar, let down a bit by the generic drums and congas.
Posted 10 years ago by arnimf    [ Reply ]
 pkoelmans wrote:
good guitar in stolen car, 
 

 

Ben Harper, I believe
Posted 10 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
Stopped in my tracks.
Posted 10 years ago by hypotenuse    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
Just when you think it can't get better, it does. 

 
{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Just when you think it can't get better, it does. 
Posted 10 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Just finished reading The Moslem Wife by Mavis Gallant in which there is a character with this exact affliction, at least I now know where she got it.
Posted 10 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
good guitar in stolen car, 
 
Posted 10 years ago by pkoelmans    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}  Love this a lot     9
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Doing a fabulous Job, as usual.  Helping me get through a couple of big presentations.
Posted 10 years ago by Britgirl    [ Reply ]
The very excellent Ms Orton - thanks Bill
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Still not tired. And I played it on my own twice since November 22.
Posted 10 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
I never get tired of this.
Posted 11 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
 scott_bruce wrote:

That breathy style makes me fall in lust with her every time she comes on....ohhh yeahhhhh.....

 
Me too, guy {#Tongue}
Posted 11 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 Algis wrote:
what does it mean?
 
Mr. Natural(Zap Comics by R. Crumb)would say....."Don't Mean Shit!'
Posted 11 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 The Ben Harper slide guitar is what makes this track a favorite
Posted 11 years ago by JaySea    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
Her breathy style is slowly morphing from being interesting and quirky into irritatingly affected.
Anyone else ? 
 
Haunting and agressively capturing.. just love it .. oozes sex appeal.
Posted 11 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
I used to like this song better before I found out she "si-hings eh-every so-hong thi-his wa-hay"...
Posted 11 years ago by testpilot    [ Reply ]
What a fabulous song.
Posted 11 years ago by hakuindude    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
Her breathy style is slowly morphing from being interesting and quirky into irritatingly affected.
Anyone else ? 
 
That breathy style makes me fall in lust with her every time she comes on....ohhh yeahhhhh.....
Posted 11 years ago by scott_bruce    [ Reply ]
 
daedalus wrote:
Her breathy style is slowly morphing from being interesting and quirky into irritatingly affected.
Anyone else ? 
 
Nope, still interesting and quirky.
Posted 11 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 daedalus wrote:
Her breathy style is slowly morphing from being interesting and quirky into irritatingly affected.
Anyone else ? 
 
Nope, at least for this song. Been listening to it for 13-14 years and still love it.
Posted 11 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
Her breathy style is slowly morphing from being interesting and quirky into irritatingly affected.
Anyone else ? 
Posted 11 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
Stolen Car is ace but something from Daybreaker every now and again would be nice :)
Posted 11 years ago by cantbesure    [ Reply ]
 calypsus_1 wrote:


To me, Beth Orton is nice, and I listen with pleasure, just have not figured out what its mysterious charm, which lead to include, permanently, this singer in the playlist since 1999, especially the song "Stolen Car". Some should be..... Not everyone has the same luck.



 
Perhaps BillG just likes the song and this artist.  No great mystery.
Posted 11 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 Algis wrote:
what does it mean?
 
When every lie speaks the language of love, 
It never held the meaning i was thinking of 
And i can't decide over right or wrong, 
You left the feeling that i just do not belong

Love is a strange creature that shows itself to each of us differently.
Many people confuse it with lust.
Many confuse it with need.

She found love once but now it's coming at her in many of these off coloured ways and she wants to find her way of loving, her old way, the right way for her. A way she thought she had found but it left her. She sees people doing odd and strange things, she wants to taste the world but she keeps getting caught in lust and need and is too afraid to step out of it, too lonely to step into it. She just wants a place to find love, the way she knows it.

You walked into my house last night 
I couldnt help but notice, 
A light that was long gone still burning strong 
You were sitting, 
Your fingers like fuses, 
Your eyes were cinnamon

A lover that left but can't go
Eyes burned by tears, fingers so jumpy that they can't be held still...
That old love wasn't enough for the old lover, so is she wrong to want it?

 
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
I wish her choices were more consistent... It's easier and cheaper to buy her songs 1 + 1 vs a whole CD's worth...
Posted 11 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
what does it mean?
Posted 11 years ago by Algis    [ Reply ]
While every lie speaks the language of love, 
It never held the meaning i was thinking of

Love it!!
Posted 11 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
You were sitting,
Your fingers like fuses,
Your eyes were cinnamon.
Posted 11 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
 TJS wrote:
I'm not sure why this particular track is played so much on RP . . .
 
Mostly because it's perfect.
Posted 12 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
 pjcle wrote:
Love it

 
yeah
 
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Love it

Posted 12 years ago by pjcle    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Ca-HATCH-y tune. Na-HICE-ly per-FUH-hormed.
 
if you say so ... me, I have just muted. Gosh, how she annoys me.
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
P uhS uhD uhHuh
Posted 12 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
i love this chick. sweet voice i like those little squeals what a nice sound.
Posted 12 years ago by nightmann    [ Reply ]
Ca-HATCH-y tune. Na-HICE-ly per-FUH-hormed.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]


To me, Beth Orton is nice, and I listen with pleasure, just have not figured out what its mysterious charm, which lead to include, permanently, this singer in the playlist since 1999, especially the song "Stolen Car". Some should be..... Not everyone has the same luck.



Posted 12 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:

I never knew that either!  I just now heard Bill mention it.  I didn't know Ben collaborated with other artists as a guitarist.  Interesting.  Have always loved this song — and I enjoy a lot of Ben's own stuff.  I'll have to listen closer to this song next time!
 
Actually, I think little Ben was Beth's guitarist when he was 17, long before he had a solo career.
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Thanks, Bill.  Just downloaded some of her other songs, too.  Great artistry.
Posted 12 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
I'm not sure why this particular track is played so much on RP given the extensive collection of music that she has recorded.  Bill!  Can we hear some other tracks by this great artist?
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
LOVE this!
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Beth Orton is fantastic!
Posted 12 years ago by Dav3thedog    [ Reply ]
One of my most Favourite discoveries via RP!!!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Don't care who is playing what. Gut level good stuff.
Posted 12 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
I was always blown away by the guitar work in this song, and only recently found out that it is Ben Harper.  Now it makes sense.  He is amazing, and I honestly couldn't imagine her playing that well.
 
I never knew that either!  I just now heard Bill mention it.  I didn't know Ben collaborated with other artists as a guitarist.  Interesting.  Have always loved this song — and I enjoy a lot of Ben's own stuff.  I'll have to listen closer to this song next time!
Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
I was always blown away by the guitar work in this song, and only recently found out that it is Ben Harper.  Now it makes sense.  He is amazing, and I honestly couldn't imagine her playing that well.
Posted 12 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 MirageRF wrote:
Wow!  Thought this was Natalie Merchant.  That'd make a great duet.  {#Notworthy}
 

Was it the monotone vocals that made the Natalie connection for you?
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Wow!  Thought this was Natalie Merchant.  That'd make a great duet.  {#Notworthy}
Posted 12 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
The one CD that I can't seem to pluck out of my car radio (greatest hits CD that is). Ooh I love it all
Posted 12 years ago by C57BL6    [ Reply ]