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".
I Wear Your Ring
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
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You're damned well panicky, I know the rainy days
Please them or run on the turf
You could be raising money with your momma
You might be sure when you're round and dressed up with kid
Take a toast to that, imbibe, you're alone
Men are so nice
(Lays can be)
Men are so useful
(He's a flirt)
Men are so useful
(Reflection beauty)
Men are so nice
He pleases me fine
(Reflection beauty)
Men are so useful
(Be able to feel)
Don't feel damned between the sunrise and sunset
You're damned well panicky, I know the rainy days
Please them or run on the turf
(You could be)
You could be raising money with your momma
(You could be)
You might be sure when you're round and dressed up with kid
Take a toast to that, imbibe, you're alone
Men are so nice
(Lays can be)
He pleases me fine
Men are so useful
(He's a flirt)
Men are so useful
(Reflection beauty)
Men are so nice
He pleases me fine
(Reflection beauty)
Men are so useful
Beautiful hands us no way lies a means of love
(Men are so nice) [2nd & 3rd repeats only]
On sounds and guard the stone, and bed had a law
(He pleases me fine)
Answers written and I reason
(He pleases me fine)
In the reign of sex, blown more than it's pleased to be
(Fine, fine (x4))
He's a beauty affection, oooh
(x3
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' "I Wear Your Ring" are cryptic and fragmented, as is typical of many of the band's songs. The theme of the song seems to be about the conflicting feelings of pleasure and anxiety that come with romantic love. The first verse suggests a sense of unease, with the singer acknowledging the possibility of being "damned" even when the sun is shining. The next lines further elaborate on the sense of panic and nervousness, contrasting it with the pleasure of being around someone you love.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the line "Men are so nice," which is stated first as a simple statement, then as a question (with "lays can be" added), and finally as an appreciation ("he pleases me fine"). This repetition seems to be a way of affirming the pleasure that can come from being in love with someone, even while acknowledging the potential risks and anxieties that come with it.
The later verses of the song are even more cryptic, with lines like "Beautiful hands us no way lies a means of love" and "Answers written and I reason" leaving the interpretation largely up to the listener. However, the overall effect of the song is one of dreamy melancholy, with a sense of both pleasure and unease underpinning the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't feel damned between the sunrise and sunset
You don't feel lost during the day
You're damned well panicky, I know the rainy days
You get anxious during bad weather
Please them or run on the turf
Try to make others happy, or leave them be
You could be raising money with your momma
You could be doing something productive with your family
You might be sure when you're round and dressed up with kid
You could be more confident when you're dressed up
Take a toast to that, imbibe, you're alone
Celebrate being alone with a drink
Men are so nice
Men can be pleasant
(Lays can be)
Casual relationships can exist
Roses may fly
Things may seem surreal
Men are so useful
Men can be helpful
(He's a flirt)
He likes to flirt
(Reflection beauty)
Beauty is subjective
He pleases me fine
I'm satisfied with him
Beautiful hands us no way lies a means of love
Love doesn't depend on appearance
On sounds and guard the stone, and bed had a law
Unclear meaning
Answers written and I reason
I think logically and have all the answers
In the reign of sex, blown more than it's pleased to be
Sex can be more complicated than enjoyable
(Fine, fine (x4))
Unclear meaning
He's a beauty affection, oooh
He's attractive and loves affection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind