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".
Bluebeard
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aliveness, energy
Are you the right man for me?
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
Are you the right man for me?
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
Aliveness, exploration
Fulfillment, creativity
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
Or are you toxic for me?
Will you betray my confidence?
Are you the right man for me?
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
Or are you toxic for me?
Will you betray my confidence?
Naming things is empowering
I balance, walk and co-or-din-ate myself alone
Aliveness, energy
Healthy dependence
And healthy independence
And healthy assurances
This love's a nameless dream
And healthy boundaries
And how long would you miss me
The lyrics of Cocteau Twins' song Bluebeard seem to be exploring a question of compatibility in a romantic relationship. The repeated questions "Are you the right man for me?" and "Are you safe? Are you my friend?" suggest a hesitation or uncertainty on the part of the singer. The lines "Aliveness, exploration" and "Fulfillment, creativity" suggest a desire for vitality and growth in a relationship.
The singer then turns to concerns about toxicity and betrayal, asking the potential partner whether they will be such a person. The line "Naming things is empowering" suggests that the singer desires clarity and honesty in the relationship, even if this requires uncomfortable conversations or difficult topics. The final lines suggest that the singer is committed to developing healthy boundaries and claiming a sense of independence, while still expressing a desire for connection and a slight apprehension of being missed if absent.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring the complexities of modern relationships, the importance of honest communication in building trust, and the questions of personal compatibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Aliveness, exploration
I am seeking new experiences and want to feel alive
Aliveness, energy
I am looking for someone who is energetic and passionate
Are you the right man for me?
I am questioning if you are the right partner for me
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
I am concerned about our safety and friendship in this relationship
Aliveness, exploration
I want to explore new things and feel alive with you
Fulfillment, creativity
I want to feel fulfilled and creative in this relationship
Are you the right man for me?
I continue to question if you are the right partner for me
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
I still worry about our safety and friendship
Or are you toxic for me?
I am worried if you will have a harmful effect on me
Will you betray my confidence?
I am concerned if you will break my trust
Are you the right man for me?
Again, I am questioning if you are the best partner for me
Are you safe? Are you my friend?
I still have reservations about our safety and friendship
Or are you toxic for me?
I worry if you will be harmful to me in the long run
Will you betray my confidence?
I want to trust you, but I worry if my trust in you is misplaced
Naming things is empowering
Giving things a name and definition makes me feel more in control
I balance, walk and co-or-din-ate myself alone
I am capable of standing on my own and do not need someone to complete me
Aliveness, energy
I still desire an energetic and passionate partner
Healthy dependence
It is okay to depend on someone emotionally if it is healthy for both parties
And healthy independence
It is also important to have independence and not rely solely on the other person
And healthy assurances
This relationship needs to be built on trust and positive assurance
This love's a nameless dream
Our love may not have a clear definition or name, but it still exists
And healthy boundaries
Setting boundaries is important for any healthy relationship
And how long would you miss me
I wonder how much you would miss me if I were gone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN GUTHRIE, SIMON RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Carroll
It's been echoing in my head for two days- tells me I need to hear it again; I love the melody and harmonies, the guitar work, everything.
Józef Lucifuge Korzeniowski
the Cocteau twins always entrances me. they came up with such uniquely beautiful note progressions in their songs. i cant find more than a few pieces of music that have portions that resemble most cocteau twins songs. that's remarkably impressive because ive always drank long and deeply from the drafts of manifold cantatas and melodies since time immemorial. at least time immemorial to myself as i neither do nor care to quantify the minutes of my life.
theman with theplan
beautiful comment
Ronald Cárdenas
Una melodía hermosa llena de melancolía, nostalgia, la primera vez que la oí no podía creer la belleza de esta canción, realmente épica.
Jomo Brown
My coworker introduced me to this song today and it has taken up permanent residence in my mind. Thank you Saint Marsha!!!
Poeta das Calçadas
Muito bom! <3
Sandra M
My soul dances, my heart skips a beat when I listen to this song...aaahh so beautiful.
Sandra Maria Carli
Quando vieram para o Brasil fui ao concerto deles, voz maravilhosa ❤
AlexPlayTop
I need this song to sleep soundly
Jewel
I was totally loosing it when Walmart played this 💕