CocoRosie began as a duo, with Sierra singing, playing the guitar, piano and harp, and Bianca singing and manipulating various children's toys, electronic and percussion instruments, as well as other exotic noisemakers. They subsequently added various backing musicians, usually a bassist, keyboardist, and beatboxer. They have been a very active touring group, playing across Europe, the United States, and elsewhere.
They have released seven full-length albums: La maison de mon rêve (2004), Noah's Ark (2005), The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (2007), Grey Oceans (2010), Tales of a GrassWidow (2013), Heartache City (2015) and Put the Shine On (2020).
In 2003, Bianca was growing restless and decided it was time for a change. Leaving her apartment in Brooklyn to travel the world, she ended up at Sierra's apartment in Paris. Over the course of the next two months, the women spent nearly every waking hour in Sierra's bathroom, chosen as the most acoustic and isolated room in the apartment. Soon, they had completed both a hip-hop recording (never released) called "word to the crow" and their proper debut album La Maison de Mon Rêve.
Originally, La Maison de Mon Rêve was only intended to be distributed within a close circle of friends. However, by 2004 the lo-fi album had been released on independent label Touch and Go Records, who had obtained a copy of the CD and had uncharacteristically pursued signing the artists. Since the creation of their first album, the Casady sisters have been virtually inseparable.
Stylistically they may be assigned to the indie rock, psychedelic folk, folktronica genres, and are sometimes associated with the New Weird America movement. Sierra, who studied operatic vocal techniques, takes the lead vocals and also plays guitar, harp and flute. Bianca is a percussionist and also beatboxes. The group also uses various objects such as toys to construct their unique sound. Popular indie bands such as The xx name them as a major influence.
They were actively touring during most of 2004, playing across the U.S. and throughout Europe with artists such as TV on the Radio, Bright Eyes, Battles, Devendra Banhart, and Busdriver among others.
Official website: http://www.cocorosiemusic.com
Coconuts
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Musical shells
We never shot the smoke signal
We watched Amelia Earhart fly on by
And refused the talking dolphins that offered us a ride
We just beat each other up
And made constant love
Best friends or remembrance
We ambushed the doves
And made jewelry out of pearls
I was homecoming queen
Never did get over that, being a whore
In these lyrics, CocoRosie is telling a story of a wild and carefree time in their life. They talk about "climbing for coconuts" which is likely a metaphor for seeking out joy and pleasure in life. They also mention "musical shells" which could be a reference to the idea of finding music or harmony in unexpected places. The next line, "We never shot the smoke signal" could be interpreted as a rejection of conventional forms of communication or signaling for help.
The following lines provide some surreal imagery, referencing pilot Amelia Earhart flying by and talking dolphins offering rides. These are likely meant to illustrate the unpredictable and fantastical nature of the time being described. The next two lines, "We just beat each other up/ And made constant love" suggest a combination of passion and violence in their relationships. But, there is an ambiguity in their relationships, as seen in the line "You couldn't tell the difference/ Best friends or remembrance".
Line by Line Meaning
Climbing for coconuts
We are working really hard to get something desirable
Musical shells
We find beauty in simple things, such as shells and their calming sound
We never shot the smoke signal
We never asked for help or communicated our needs to others
We watched Amelia Earhart fly on by
We witnessed someone accomplish something great, but did not follow in their footsteps
And refused the talking dolphins that offered us a ride
We did not believe or trust the opportunities that presented themselves to us
We just beat each other up
We had a destructive relationship
And made constant love
But we also had a deeply intimate, loving connection
You couldn't tell the difference
Our relationship was complex and confusing
Best friends or remembrance
We either had a strong bond or were just holding onto old memories
We ambushed the doves
We were violent and aggressive towards something innocent
And made jewelry out of pearls
We turned something beautiful into something superficial and materialistic
I was homecoming queen
I had a brief moment of popularity and importance
Never did get over that, being a whore
But I also struggled with my own self-worth and felt like I was being judged and labeled unfairly
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MayaZalbidea
So sweet, original. It is like listening to cute fairies singing and playing music. Poetical and experimental.
@awavecalleddave
i am the first ! it sounds different while listening it the first time - like every new stuff from cocorosie sounds different at first!! but: i love it !!!
@agnesdescombes1707
I really appreciate this song !
@sportycoat
I love you!!! thanks for posting the new songs!!! Im from America and have yet to hear thyem till NOW xo.
@JupiterJazzy17
Love this song so much! Thanks for uploading :)
@ashleyistheshinazz
eu adoro cocorosieee
@xchiaroscura
whimsical
@minkvelour
Thanks Elina!!! Love, love, love!
@mattdabrat424
Thank you so much!!!!
@camilledelarueducan5893
content d'être arrivé ici