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".
07 From The Flagstones
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
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At times I've seen you from the flagstones
At times I've seen you from the balustrade
At times I've seen you from the flagstones
And you can't cajole [x3]
And can't cajole
At times I've seen you from the flagstones
(Like another goalstone)
(You may cajole)
And you may cajole [x3]
(You may cajole)
And you may cajole [x3]
(You may cajole)
And you may cajole [x3]
And make a joke
At times I've seen you from the balustrade
At times I've seen you from the flagstones
At times I've seen you from the balustrade
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins's song "From The Flagstones" seem to describe a person who has observed someone from different viewpoints, such as a military yard, flagstones, and a balustrade. The repetition of the phrase "at times I've seen you" gives a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty to the observer's feelings towards this person. The phrase "and you can't cajole" seems to imply that the observer cannot manipulate or persuade this person in any way. The repetition of "and you may cajole" suggests that although the person may be difficult to reach, the observer is still tempted to try and connect with them in some way. The line "like another goalstone" is particularly enigmatic - it is unclear what exactly it refers to, but it hints at something that is both hard and valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
At times I've seen you from the armyard
Sometimes I have caught a glimpse of you in the military training yard
At times I've seen you from the flagstones
At times I have seen you while standing on the smooth, flat stones used for paving
At times I've seen you from the balustrade
Occasionally I have observed you from the decorative railing enclosing a balcony or terrace
And you can't cajole [x3]
You are unable to persuade or coax someone into doing something [repeated thrice for emphasis]
And can't cajole
You are not capable of convincing someone to perform an action
At times I've seen you from the aureole
Sometimes I have seen you as if surrounded by a halo or ring of light
Like another goalstone
Similar to a marker used in a game or sport to designate a specific location
You may cajole [x3]
It is possible for you to use persuasion to get someone to do something [repeated thrice for emphasis]
(You may cajole)
It is within your power to influence someone to take a certain action
And make a joke
You may even use humor to make someone more agreeable to your requests
At times I've seen you from the balustrade
Occasionally I have watched you from the decorative railing enclosing a balcony or terrace
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind