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".
Kookaburra
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A starry sky memory
When Eros spurns Rococo
Rouge thus far
[Chorus]
She's spark run away for you
Do you know what we call the moon
There is no end
Ca candle blown, she'll doubt
Faced with past losing
[Chorus]
And you my god
Can't give show
Can't give
Til you go dancing
Forgive my love
Ca candle blown
She will not
And you my god
Can't give show
Can't give
Til you go dancing
[Chorus]
So she'll decide
To marry can we come to be
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' song Kookaburra are somewhat difficult to interpret, as they seem to revolve around a series of abstract phrases that are open to interpretation. However, one possible interpretation is that the song is about a girl who is a distant memory for the singer. The "starry sky" in the first line could represent the girl's sense of wonder and possibility, and the mention of Eros, the Greek god of love, could suggest that the girl was someone who inspired passion and desire. The reference to Rococo, a style of art and architecture known for its elaborate ornamentation, could symbolize a certain superficiality or affectation that got in the way of the singer's connection to the girl.
The following lines seem to suggest that the girl has moved on and left the singer behind. The "spark" in the chorus could represent the girl's energy or vitality, and the question "Do you know what we call the moon" could be a way of asking if the singer understands the girl's motivations or desires. The rest of the lyrics are more difficult to decipher, but there seems to be a sense of loss or regret, as the singer admits that he or she can't "give show" until he or she "goes dancing."
Some possible interpretations of the song might include themes of memory, loss, desire, and regret. The abstract phrases used in the lyrics allow for a variety of different interpretations, and the dreamy, atmospheric music of Cocteau Twins adds to the sense of mystery and ambiguity.
Line by Line Meaning
To a girl who you mind
You're talking about a girl you're interested in
A starry sky memory
You have a fond memory of looking at stars
When Eros spurns Rococo
Love is fickle and unpredictable
Rouge thus far
Somehow, this girl has managed to impress you
She's spark run away for you
This girl is adventurous and has a spark that attracts you
Do you know what we call the moon
Are you aware of the moon's significance?
There is no end
This situation feels limitless
Ca candle blown, she'll doubt
If the candle goes out, she'll lose faith
Faced with past losing
You're afraid of losing her because of your past experiences
And you my god
You feel powerless
Can't give show
You can't display your emotions or intentions
Can't give
You can't give what she needs or wants
Til you go dancing
You need to loosen up and have fun before you can give
Forgive my love
You hope she forgives you for any mistakes you've made
Ca candle blown
If the candle goes out
She will not
She won't stick around
So she'll decide
It's up to her to make a decision
To marry can we come to be
You hope that there's a chance for the two of you to be together in the future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind