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".
Frosty the Snowman
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
And eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say
He was made of snow, but the children know
That he came to life one day
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around
Frosty the snowman was as live as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
So he said 'Let's run and have some fun, now
Before I melt away.'
Down to the village with a broom stick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying, 'Catch me if you can!'
He led them down the streets of town right to the traffic stop
He only paused a moment when he heard them holler 'Stop!'
Frosty the snowman had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying, 'Don't you cry
I'll be back again, someday.'
Frosty the snowman was as live as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
So he said 'Let's run and have some fun, now
Before I melt away.'
The popular wintertime melody "Frosty the Snowman" is a stirring showcase that tells the story of a magical snowman that comes to life. The first verse establishes the character of the song's protagonist, Frosty the snowman, as a cheerful and happy soul. The chorus is where the story truly begins, with the song providing a backstory on how Frosty came to life through the enchantment of his silk hat. The next stanza describes Frosty's childlike nature and his ability to laugh and play, not any different from any human child.
The third verse underscores the central plot of the song. Because the snowman is constructed of ice, the heat of the day represents the primary impediment to Frosty's survival. To offset his impending doom, he entices the children who made him to a vibrant, music-filled place with his idealism and invites them to follow him there to play. Though he eventually succumbs to the warm weather, Frosty assures everyone that he will return the following winter, ending the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
Frosty the snowman was cheerful and joyful
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
He had a pipe made from a corn cob and a nose made from a button
And eyes made out of coal
His eyes were made using coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say
It is believed that Frosty the snowman is a fictional story
He was made of snow, but the children know
Even though he was made of snow, the kids knew he came to life
That he came to life one day
The children believed Frosty was brought to life
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found
The hat must have had some magical powers
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around
When the hat was put on his head, he started to dance
Frosty the snowman was as live as he could be
Frosty was as lively as possible
And the children say he could laugh and play
Kids claim that Frosty could laugh and have fun
Just the same as you and me
Just like humans, Frosty had a jovial personality
Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day
Frosty realized it was a hot day and he might melt
So he said 'Let's run and have some fun, now
He suggested they play and have fun
Before I melt away.'
Before he dissolves due to the heat
Down to the village with a broom stick in his hand
Frosty went to the village with a broomstick in his grip
Running here and there all around the square
He dashed around the square
Saying, 'Catch me if you can!'
He challenged children to try to catch him
He led them down the streets of town right to the traffic stop
He guided the kids to the traffic stop
He only paused a moment when he heard them holler 'Stop!'
Frosty stopped for a while when the children shouted at him
Frosty the snowman had to hurry on his way
Frosty had to leave quickly
But he waved goodbye saying, 'Don't you cry
Leaving, he bid farewell and asked the children not to be sad
I'll be back again, someday.'
He promised to return sometime in the future
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Irakli Machitidze
Frosty the snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe
And a button nose and
eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman
Is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know
That he came to life one day
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said, "Let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away"
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there
All around the square
Saying "Catch me if you can"
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler "Stop!"
Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying,
"Don't you cry
I'll be back again some day"!!!....
Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say
He could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Frosty the snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said, "Let's run
And we'll have some fun
Now before I melt away"
Vincent Fox
I’m a Goth and I love Christmas it’s my favorite holiday. Good to find some ethereal wave Christmas songs.
Davi Mag20
Noob question (and considering that this is Cocteau Twins): Is this Ethereal wave or Dream pop?
La MicaFreaka
🖤⛄️🖤⛄️🖤
Sunday Sloth
@Davi Mag20 it's good music
Stephen Velez
Yep😎
Scotty Snow
It's Cocteau Twins, they're a category of their own!!!!!
Nibb9
It's like they really wrote that song. It fits so well to their style. Arrangements are superb. As usual.
Wesley Williams
I agree: if I'd never heard the song previously, I'd never be convinced that Cocteau Twins didn't create it.
Tim Trierweiler
Couldn't agree more.
Ron Ochoa
THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF FROSTY THE SNOWMAN EVER! IT'S PRETTY MUCH THE ONLY VERSION I LIKE, AND I LOVE IT. IT'S SO STRANGE THAT THE TOPIC OF DEATH WOULD BE PRESENTED IN SUCH A PLEASANT MANNER FOR LITTLE CHILDREN. IT ACTUALLY MAKES ME EXTREMELY SAD, BUT IN A POSITIVE SPIRITUAL WAY