Central Reservation

Album: Central Reservation (1999)
Charted: 37
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Speaking with The Observer September 23, 2012, Orton explained how she came to pen this song. She recalled that it "was written in Cartagena in Colombia after a different kind of night with no sleep. I had been doing what you do in Cartagena with some beautiful boy and snorting a stupid amount of coke and the song came from the joy of sitting in the sunshine the next day with a glorious hangover."
  • Central Reservation proved to be a breakthrough record for Orton, reaching #17 on the UK Albums Chart and #110 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. It also won her Best Female at the 2000 BRIT Awards.
  • The Sophie Muller-directed video follows Orton through the streets of Manhattan, where she strips off her floral dress and loans it to passersby, who try it on and dance with her. Muller has also directed clips for the Eurythmics, No Doubt, and Garbage.

Comments: 1

  • Ken Underhill from St. LouisEloquent, evocative, gorgeous song. Goosebumps every time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"