The band's early work drew influence from Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division. After signing with the British record label 4AD in 1982, they released their debut album Garlands later that year. The addition of Raymonde in 1983 solidified their final lineup, which produced their biggest hit in the UK, "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops", peaking at No. 29 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1988, Cocteau Twins signed with Capitol Records in the United States, distributing their fifth album, Blue Bell Knoll, through a major label in the country. After the 1990 release of their most critically acclaimed album, Heaven or Las Vegas, the band left 4AD for Fontana Records, where they released their final two albums.
After nearly 20 years together, the band disbanded in 1997 in part due to issues stemming from the disintegration of Fraser and Guthrie's romantic relationship. In 2005, the band announced that they would reunite to headline Coachella and embark on a world tour but the reunion was cancelled a month later after Fraser refused to perform on stage with Guthrie. In a 2021 interview, Raymonde confirmed that Cocteau Twins "will never reform".
02. Athol-Brose
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let it pain (let it pain)
Jelly ball (jelly ball)
Shouldn't fade (shouldn't fade)
Let us drown (let us drown)
Long down (long down)
He bought me (he bought me)
(?)
Very very silly ball
Very very silly boy
Try to walk slow (try to walk slow)
Let it pain (let it pain)
Jelly ball (jelly ball)
Shouldn't fade (shouldn't fade)
Let us drown (let us drown)
Long down (long down)
He bought me (he bought me)
(?)
Very very silly ball
Very very silly boy
Now I see
Next day
Yeah
(?)
Your heart shall not be safe from me
God's light, shine on me
Your heart shall not be safe from me
Flow down light, shine on me
Very very silly ball
Very very silly boy
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' song "Athol-Brose" are open to interpretation as the band is known for its eccentric and surreal lyrics. The song has a dream-like quality to it, with phrases that seem disconnected but evoke a mysterious atmosphere.
In the beginning, we hear the words "Try to walk slow, Let it pain, Jelly ball, Shouldn't fade, Let us drown, Long down, He bought me". These phrases are repeated throughout the song and are perhaps referring to a feeling of being stuck or trapped, needing to slow down and feel the pain to move forward. The image of a jelly ball may symbolize something fragile or unstable. The mystery deepens with the phrase "very very silly ball, very very silly boy", which could be interpreted as a reference to a child or something playful, but the meaning remains unclear.
The second half of the song introduces new lyrics that hint at a relationship or a connection between two people: "Your heart shall not be safe from me, God's light, shine on me, Your heart shall not be safe from me, Flow down light, shine on me." Here, there is a sense of longing or obsession, with the singer wanting to connect with someone at a deep level. The phrase "God's light, shine on me" suggests a spiritual or divine connection, while "Your heart shall not be safe from me" hints at a more obsessive or possessive desire. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "very very silly ball, very very silly boy", bringing the listener back to the mysterious and surreal atmosphere of the beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to walk slow (try to walk slow)
Attempt to proceed gradually without agitation or rashness
Let it pain (let it pain)
Allow yourself to feel the discomfort
Jelly ball (jelly ball)
Reference to a gentle, soft object
Shouldn't fade (shouldn't fade)
Must not diminish or disappear over time
Let us drown (let us drown)
Envelop and consume us completely
Long down (long down)
A prolonged descent or melancholy mood
He bought me (he bought me)
A person acquired or possessed
(?)
Unknown or ambiguous meaning
Very very silly ball
Light-hearted or trivial sentiment
Very very silly boy
Unserious male persona
Now I see
A newfound understanding
Next day
In the future or following day
Yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
(?)
Unknown or ambiguous meaning
Your heart shall not be safe from me
I will have emotional power over you
God's light, shine on me
A plea for spiritual guidance
Your heart shall not be safe from me
I will have emotional power over you
Flow down light, shine on me
A request for heavenly illumination
Very very silly ball
Light-hearted or trivial sentiment
Very very silly boy
Unserious male persona
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE, ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind