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".
Feathers-Oars-Blades
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hot
Their face
They're haters
Then they form, then hands (x2)
Crestfallen
Weaken
Here comes the oppressors
Feathers-oar blades
Spitting their feathers
Spitting out oar blades (x2)
Crestfallen
Weaken
Here come those oppressors
Oppress, fallen, weaken
Ordered
To attention
The choice of this party
Use your hands, he talked to him (x2)
Spitting out oar blades (x12)
Spitting out (x2)
The lyrics of Cocteau Twins' song "Feathers Oar Blades" is a complex and cryptic one at first listen. It depicts a story of people who are oppressed and weakened by the haters and oppressors who seek to bring them down. The opening lines talk about their fate and face that is made to look hot to those who hate them. As they form together, their hands take shape, perhaps alluding to standing together in solidarity against their oppressors.
The chorus and repetition of the words "crestfallen," "weaken," and "oppress" creates a sense of despair and hopelessness. The phrase "feathers-oar blades" is particularly interesting, as it is not clear what it refers to specifically, but could be interpreted as a metaphor for the way the oppressed are being torn apart or cut down. The use of the phrase "spitting out feathers" and "spitting out oar blades" may suggest that they are struggling to hold on to their strength but are fighting back.
The song also touches on themes of discipline and order, and how the oppressed are often forced to conform to the rules and choices of their oppressors. The line "the choice of this party" could be interpreted as a reference to political parties or perhaps social hierarchies. Even as they are forced to submit to authority and use their hands, they continue to spit out oar blades, perhaps indicating their resistance and unwillingness to be completely controlled.
Overall, "Feathers Oar Blades" stands as a haunting and enigmatic portrayal of struggles against oppression and the paradoxical nature of being disciplined into restraint, even as one fights back.
Line by Line Meaning
Their fate
The predetermined outcome of their lives
And hot
Intense and passionate
Their face
Their appearance
They're haters
They are filled with malice toward others
Then they form, then hands (x2)
They come together, joining hands in unity (repeated twice for emphasis)
Crestfallen
Dejected and disheartened
Weaken
Becoming less strong and less able to resist
Here comes the oppressors
Those who hold power and seek to exert control are approaching
Oppress, fallen, weaken
The oppressors cause their victims to fall and become weaker
Feathers-oar blades
Metaphorical images of aggression, suggesting both the lightness of feathers and the sharpness of blades
Spitting their feathers
Releasing their anger and hostility with force, like a bird spitting out feathers
Spitting out oar blades (x2)
Using force to expel their anger and hostility, like spitting out sharp blades (repeated twice for emphasis)
Ordered
Commanded to do something
To attention
Being alert and ready for orders
The choice of this party
The decision made by those in power
Use your hands, he talked to him (x2)
Instructed to act with physical force, possibly by a leader (repeated twice for emphasis)
Spitting out oar blades (x12)
Continuing to release their anger and hostility with force, like expelling sharp blades (repeated twelve times for emphasis)
Spitting out (x2)
Continuing to expel their anger and hostility with force (repeated twice for emphasis)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, WILLIAM HEGGIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind