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".
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comes for pearly dewdrop's drops
Weeks in our company
Buys the pearly dewdrop's drops
We'll be soaked and ruddy
Comes for pearly dewdrop's drops
Weeks in our company
We'll be soaked when Roddy comes
Rows of pearly dewdrop's drops
Tis the lucky lucky penny penny penny
Buys the pearly dew drips soaks
We'll be soaked when around he comes
Rows of pearly dewdrop's drops
Tis the lucky lucky penny penny penny
Buys the pearly dew drips soaks
Taciturn to fellow
So try to turn to loan him these
Bruised your eye on her staff
So when he turned around he saw
Taciturn to fellow
So try to turn to loan him these
Bruised your eye on her staff
So if we send the Roddy, soaks
We'll be soaked when Roddy comes
Rows of pearly dewdrop's drops
Tis the lucky lucky penny penny penny
Buys the pearly dew drips soaks
(We'll be sold to Roddy, sold to Roddy)
Rows of pearly dewdrop's drops
(We'll be sold to Roddy, sold to Roddy)
Tis the lucky lucky penny penny penny
Buys the pearly dew drips soaks
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' "Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops" are mysterious and surreal, typical of the band's dreamy and otherworldly sound. The song seems to be about selling something to a person named Roddy, possibly a metaphorical figure representing a rich and powerful benefactor. The repeated phrase "pearly dewdrop's drops" is enigmatic and seems to refer to something valuable that Roddy is purchasing from the band.
The lyrics also contain references to soaked and bruised bodies, as well as taciturn behavior and loaning. The precise meaning of these phrases is unclear, but they add to the overall sense of intrigue and ambiguity in the song.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the band is selling their music and art to a wealthy patron (Roddy) in order to survive as artists. The repeated mention of "pearly dewdrop's drops" may be a metaphor for their artistic output or their unique creative vision. The soaked and bruised bodies could represent the struggle and sacrifice involved in creating art, while the loaning and taciturn behavior suggest that the band is willing to put up with difficult conditions in order to achieve their artistic goals.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll be sold to Roddy
We will be bought by Roddy
Comes for pearly dewdrop's drops
Roddy comes to buy the pearly dewdrop's drops
Weeks in our company
He spends weeks with us
Buys the pearly dewdrop's drops
He buys the pearly dewdrop's drops
We'll be soaked and ruddy
We will be wet and red
Rows of pearly dewdrop's drops
There are many pearly dewdrop's drops available
Tis the lucky lucky penny penny penny
It's a lucky penny
Buys the pearly dew drips soaks
It buys the drops until they are soaked
We'll be soaked when around he comes
We will become wet as soon as he arrives
So try to turn to loan him these
Try to persuade him to borrow them
Bruised your eye on her staff
You hurt your eye on her stick
So if we send the Roddy, soaks
If we send Roddy, he'll buy so many drops that they will be soaked
(We'll be sold to Roddy, sold to Roddy)
(We'll be bought by Roddy, bought by Roddy)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iidentifyasayoutubertoday7025
"Little wolf skin boots
And clove cigarettes
An erotic funeral
For witch she's dressed
Her perfume smells like
Burning leaves
Everyday is Halloween"
Every time I see a clove cigarette I think of these Type O Negative lyrics.
@idavo
This was the song that kicked in my individuality.
I heard it once on John Peel in the back room, which was also my bedroom when I was about 15 / 16 - after that I listened to Kid Jensen & John Peel every night on the stereogram - then I found The Smiths & Everything But The Girl & Ivor Cutler.
I never knew the name of this song, so I bought everything in Woolworths with 'Cocteau Twins' took them to my nanna & played them, looking for this song.
I eventually found it. By that time, I had fallen in love with Elizabeth Frazer's voice.
That was my teens - still listen, still an EBTG fan - 48 now, what a great time in my life finding the music that sticks.
My taste now is very eclectic - God bless to my nanna who never moaned about me on the stereogram, - takes me back to the very day.
I miss her,
Thank you for posting this.
@keasyman7084
+i davo fuck me, dude, I almost started crying!
How dare you raise my emotional state sir! LOl
Nice one.
this track holds a momentous moment for me too.
It told me music can be written by someone else, mean something, but, I can be free to interpret how I want it to be.
Thank fuck for CT's and the inde revolution!
Songs of my day...
Songs of my day...
@jovanjones9083
“We accept the Love we think we deserve” 🌺
@yourdad9081
YES i love the perks of being a wallflower
@TheStoryMachine
Yes. Perks brought me here. Love that flik 😁❤️
@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-.
"...and in this royal we stuff, we also accept all that isn't what love actually is."
,dan'
"You would tie yourself to kin and have it drown?"
@angelanicoletti3330
@@the-bottom-of-a-black-hole-. , Your words are lovely and profound Happy New Year 2021 and May GOD Bless you Brother & whoever is reading this with Love, Safety, peace, joy and Favor in Jesus Mighty name.
@joshuabarrett9392
Someone understands 🤩🤩
@monkeybean2220
1988, art school; my friend Claudette and I would have skip days. We would go to her house, listen to Cocteau Twins and Clan of Xymox and smoke a lot of clove cigarettes. I would watch her create beauty on a canvas. I truly miss her. Some of the happiest moments in my life.
@lydiapfpbylittlenursegirl4314
sounds fun
@iidentifyasayoutubertoday7025
I'm 30 years old and I've never smoked in my life and I hate the thought of cigarettes in my mouth....BUT....I've always loved the smell of clove cigarettes, the color of them and if I ever became a smoker of definitely choose clove.
@iidentifyasayoutubertoday7025
"Little wolf skin boots
And clove cigarettes
An erotic funeral
For witch she's dressed
Her perfume smells like
Burning leaves
Everyday is Halloween"
Every time I see a clove cigarette I think of these Type O Negative lyrics.