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".
Mizake the Mizan
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
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Long dirt closely flow.
Become
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They follow.
Hoist and throw me down the waterfall.
So until the hour
May call Cherie, hey yeah
Honey.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They throw.
Pushes something misses in me.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They throw.
Pushes something misses in me.
Saw a mermaid in the
Lagoon, 'cause little
Become
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water.
Drowning.
Hoist and throw me down the waterfall.
The lyrics of "Mizake the Mizan" by Cocteau Twins create a dreamlike and surrealistic world that the listener is taken on a journey through. The song starts with the imagery of a mermaid in a long dirt closely flow, which then transforms into grey water. The singer of the song seems to be thrown down into the water, where they are then followed and pushed by something, all while using the repeated phrase "hoist and throw me down in the water."
As the song progresses, there is a sense of urgency that builds as the singer repeatedly asks for a "call Cherie" until the hour. There is some ambiguity as to what exactly this means, but it seems to be a plea for help or salvation from whatever is happening in the water. The imagery of the waterfall is also repeated, creating a sense of danger and powerlessness in the face of nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "Mizake the Mizan" create a vivid and immersive experience that is open to interpretation. It is a prime example of the ethereal and otherworldly sound that Cocteau Twins are known for.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw a mermaid in the
Long dirt closely flow.
Become
I saw a mermaid swimming gracefully in the dirty, murky water.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They follow.
The water is gray and murky. Someone is forcefully grabbing and throwing me in, and others are following suit.
Hoist and throw me down the waterfall.
I am being tossed over a waterfall.
So until the hour
May call Cherie, hey yeah
Honey.
I'll wait patiently until the time comes when I'll be called. Hey, honey.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They throw.
Pushes something misses in me.
I'm thrown into the murky water again, and something is being pushed out of me.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water,
They throw.
Pushes something misses in me.
Again, I'm thrown into the gray water, and something is being forced out of me.
Saw a mermaid in the
Lagoon, 'cause little
Become
I saw a mermaid in a quiet lagoon, where the water was a little clearer.
Grey water.
Hoist and throw me down in the water.
Drowning.
Hoist and throw me down the waterfall.
I'm being thrown into the gray water again, and this time I'm struggling to stay afloat. Then I'm thrown over the waterfall once more.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind