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".
Love's Easy Tears
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She ought to know he owns himself
Love, without him
She ought to know
Gee, how many loved her man
How he could have done that he lived so loved
The phone rang
Yea, man, joys of love said them
Love, without him
She ought to know he owns himself
Love, without him
She ought to know
Gee, how many loved her man
How he could have done that he lived so loved
The phone rang
Die, so long, so love
Yea, man, joys of love said them
Joys of love had the cat on the couch these days
Don't go leave me out
Every stuffy day I go home
Plus you don't know love
Gee, how many loved her man
How he could have done that?
He lived so loved
The phone rang
Die, so long, so love
Yea, man, joys of love said them
(Please, please, please)
In Cocteau Twins' song Love's Easy Tears, the lyrics suggest the singer is struggling to cope with the absence of love in their life. The repetition of "Love, without him / She ought to know he owns himself" reinforces the idea that love is something that cannot be controlled or claimed by anyone. The singer is aware that they cannot force someone to love them and must accept that love may not be present in their life. However, the repetition of these lines also suggests that the singer may be trying to convince themselves of this fact, as if they are struggling to accept the reality of their situation.
The lyrics also hint at jealousy and insecurity on the part of the singer, as they wonder "how many loved her man" and how he could have lived so loved. This may suggest that the singer feels inadequate or insecure in their own ability to love or be loved by others. The line "Joys of love had the cat on the couch these days" is an interesting metaphor that suggests that the singer feels left out of the joy that love can bring, but also hints at a sense of loneliness and isolation.
Overall, the lyrics to Love's Easy Tears convey a sense of longing and loneliness, as well as a struggle to accept the lack of love in one's life. The repetition of certain lines and the use of metaphors contribute to a dream-like and melancholic tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, without him
The absence of love.
She ought to know he owns himself
She should understand that he is his own person and cannot be possessed.
Gee, how many loved her man
Expressions of surprise at how many people loved her partner.
How he could have done that he lived so loved
Wondering how he was able to live with so much love.
The phone rang
A sudden interruption of thought or conversation.
Die, so long, so love
A wish for love to last forever even in death.
Yea, man, joys of love said them
Celebrating the joys of love and the people who express it.
Joys of love had the cat on the couch these days
The happiness and contentment of love, even extending to pets.
Don't go leave me out
A plea to be included in the love and happiness being experienced.
Every stuffy day I go home
Returning home after a long or difficult day.
Plus you don't know love
Suggesting that the person being addressed does not understand or appreciate the fullness of love.
He lived so loved
Describing the person's life as being full of love.
(Please, please, please)
An expression of urgency or desperation for something desired.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind