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".
Musette and Drums
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're fast follow trained, yes
Money and
Watching gets too hard
Writes a song
The favor of juliet's
Somebody's
She turned thirteen oh
Tragedy end
Am I pretty enough
Musette and drums
Our answer juliet's
Somebody's
She turned thirteen oh
Writes a song
The favor of juliet's
Somebody's
She turned thirteen oh
Tragedy end
Am I pretty enough
Musette and drums
Watching is too
hard
Cocteau Twins' song Musette and Drums is a cryptic and enigmatic piece that is difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, the lyrics seem to convey a sense of longing, regret and questioning of one's worth. The first verse speaks of repetition and conformity, implying that the singer is part of a group or system that perpetuates a cycle of behaviors. The second verse is more focused on the subject of the song, Juliet, who appears to be turning thirteen years old, a transitional time that is often fraught with anxiety and confusion. The line "Am I pretty enough" suggests that the singer is either asking the question or anticipating it from someone else. The refrain "Musette and drums" serves as a kind of punctuation, perhaps signifying the end of one thought or emotion and the beginning of another.
The lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, as is typical of Cocteau Twins' music. Some have suggested that the song is a commentary on the music industry, with lines like "Money and watching gets too hard" and "The favor of Juliet's" implying a kind of transactional relationship. Others have pointed to the imagery of the musette and drums, which are instruments that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a bygone era. The song's haunting melody and Elizabeth Fraser's ethereal vocals add to the overall sense of melancholy and wistfulness.
Line by Line Meaning
Did it again
Continued with the same pattern of behavior
We're fast follow trained, yes
We quickly adapt and mimic what others are doing
Money and
The pursuit of wealth and material possessions
Watching gets too hard
Observing becomes difficult to bear
Writes a song
Creates a musical expression
The favor of Juliet's
In the good graces of someone named Juliet
Somebody's
Belonging to someone else
She turned thirteen oh
Referring to a specific girl who recently turned thirteen years old
Tragedy end
The conclusion of a sad or disastrous event
Am I pretty enough
Questioning one's own physical attractiveness
Musette and drums
Referring to the musical instruments and style being used in the song
Our answer Juliet's
Our response to something Juliet said or did
Somebody's
Belonging to someone else
She turned thirteen oh
Referring to a specific girl who recently turned thirteen years old
Writes a song
Creates a musical expression
The favor of Juliet's
In the good graces of someone named Juliet
Somebody's
Belonging to someone else
She turned thirteen oh
Referring to a specific girl who recently turned thirteen years old
Tragedy end
The conclusion of a sad or disastrous event
Am I pretty enough
Questioning one's own physical attractiveness
Musette and drums
Referring to the musical instruments and style being used in the song
Watching is too hard
Observing becomes difficult to bear
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind