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
Madonna
CocoRosie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One of your soft sweet lagrimas
Miss madonna won't you give me a kiss
One of your soft sweet lagrimas
Oh miss madonna won't you please give me a kiss
Give me one of those soft sweet lagrimas
'Cause i felt your pain
When your baby was slain
Oh miss madonna won't you let me underneath your halo
'Cause it's raining hard
Raining hard in this abyss
Miss madonna...
Oh miss madonna where you goin' after work
In that preacher's car
You know o won't tell nobody
That you've been smoking cigars
I won't tell nobody
Tell nobody
That you've been smoking cigars
Miss madonna...
The lyrics to CocoRosie's song "Madonna" are a plea to the iconic singer for a kiss and a tear. The song opens with the repeated request, "Miss Madonna won't you give me a kiss, one of your soft sweet lagrimas (tears)?" The singer then acknowledges Madonna's pain, "cause I felt your pain when your baby was slain, and I tossed some roses to perfume his grave." The pain Madonna experienced of losing a child is used as a way of connecting with her, as though the singer also shares this sense of loss.
The song continues with a desire to be close to Madonna, asking to be allowed "underneath your halo." The halo is a symbol of divinity associated with religious iconography, further emphasizing Madonna's status as a cultural icon. The song concludes with questions about where Madonna is going after work, and a promise to keep her secret that she has been smoking cigars. The song seems to be an expression of longing and admiration for the singer, using her image and mythology as a way of connecting with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss madonna won't you give me a kiss
Asking Madonna to share a moment of intimacy
One of your soft sweet lagrimas
Requesting one of the tears that Madonna shed for her sorrow
Oh miss madonna won't you please give me a kiss
Repeating the request with an appeal for compassion
Give me one of those soft sweet lagrimas
Emphasizing the desire for emotional connection
'Cause i felt your pain
Empathizing with Madonna's emotions
When your baby was slain
Referencing the tragedy of Madonna's loss
And i tossed some roses to perfume his grave
Expressing sympathy by leaving flowers for the dead child
Oh miss madonna won't you let me underneath your halo
Asking to be included in the circle of love and protection around Madonna
'Cause it's raining hard
Implying the presence of difficulties or hardships
Raining hard in this abyss
Deepening the image of a difficult situation
Oh miss madonna where you goin' after work
Inquiring about Madonna's activities outside of their interaction
In that preacher's car
Noting that she is riding with a religious figure, possibly hinting at her spiritual life
You know o won't tell nobody
Promising to keep her secrets trustworthy
That you've been smoking cigars
Insinuating that Madonna has indulgences that are not widely known
I won't tell nobody
Reaffirming the intention to keep Madonna's secrets safe
Tell nobody
Emphasizing the importance of discretion and loyalty
Miss madonna...
Repeating the titular name as a refrain for the song
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bianca Leilani Casady, Sierra Rose Casady
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cocheta
This song makes me cry as i'm singing, I don't even know why but all of my emotions come flooding out when I hear this.
bellatrixlestranger
i get goosepimples every time i listen to this song, and more specifically, this version.
Tasha
Shocked by how creative and original they are! Really great music.
Leozinho
Eu amo essa musica!❤😴
luizatlb
Wow, it's so different from the album version! Gotta love Sierra's voice here.
Vita Taf
oh my, they are just amazing
Anna Stenhammar
This song is just perfect<3
Jodi Hamilton
i am new to cocorosie and i wasnt sure how i felt about it at first my science teacher played it in class and now i think im hooked i love this music and im making a dance to smokey taboo im a dancer at an art school and i love your music:)
malvinstar
love it
Scarlet Peoni
Feel sick. Got a migraine. Nothing helps cept some cocorosie. Angels.