The Tinderbox
Cocteau Twins Lyrics

The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' "The Tinderbox" present abstract and enigmatic imagery that can be interpreted in different ways. The repeated phrase "They are beaten/ You'd feel danger there" suggests a threatening atmosphere where someone or something has suffered harm, possibly a physical beating. The emotions that arise from sensing the aftermath of violence are also emphasized by the repetition.

The other main verse "How heavy you are on this faded hatch/ Tinderbox of a heart left a shell is all" describes a person's emotional weight and the frailty of their heart that has been reduced to a shell, possibly by heartbreak or other traumatic experiences. The image of a tinderbox, a box used for holding flammable objects, adds another layer of metaphorical meaning, suggesting the potential for destructive fires to ignite from the unattended or suppressed passions of the heart. The phrase "Bleed in your fate's ground through the edge/ It's so bloody and blunt of big crystal eyes" is also intriguing, hinting at the inevitability and brutality of fate, which can be seen through the lens of the crystal eyes, sharp and clear.

Overall, "The Tinderbox" is a rich example of Cocteau Twins' lyrical style that prioritizes sound and emotion over literal meaning, leaving room for the listener to create their own internal visions.