Simon Orton – The Next Me

An emerging voice in Australia’s country music scene, Simon Orton is a storyteller at heart. From the dusty back-roads of Queensland to the hearts of country music lovers, he’s becoming known for his honest, soulful sound. A guitarist, poet, and singer-songwriter, Simon’s music weaves together the grit of the outback with the timeless traditions of classic country.

“The Next Me” was written in the quiet moments between hospital nappy changes, bath time, and bottle feeds. It tells the story of a first-time dad — someone who used to measure success by hours worked and steel-capped boots worn down — now completely undone by the weight of a tiny bundle in his arms.
But this isn’t just a lullaby. It’s a confession. A shift in the soul. That moment when life reorders itself, and you go from self to selflessness in an instant. It’s about late-night feeds, when you’re half-awake but fully present. The heartache of missing milestones while working. The joy of holding your child — and the ache of letting them go. As the song swells, so does time. We journey from cot to wedding aisle, from whispered bedtime stories to handing them over to the next chapter.

Because no matter where life takes them, our children carry the best of us forward. They are the next us — not just by blood, but by every sacrifice, every bedtime, every whispered “I love you.” Listen to “The Next Me” and be reminded: the greatest legacy we leave might just be a tiny pair of shoes walking in our footsteps.