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".
Sea Swallow Me
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seven sugars and a madman goes
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Nosy tempers 'bout to play for now
Horizontal moth
Horizontal moth
Horizontal to mono re-zones and we'll polish your dreams
At least the sea where liberty
Will stand in place to seek and rule the world
Can't turn up, somebody punch me, yeah
Seven sugars and a madman goes
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted my man love, my big man, that low, lonely dove
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted more
Yell, I wanted my man love, my big man, that low, lonely dove
The lyrics of "Sea Swallow Me" by Cocteau Twins paint a picture of someone who is overwhelmed and searching for something more. The opening lines "Can't turn up, somebody punch me, yeah / Seven sugars and a madman goes / Yell, I wanted more" suggest an urgency for action or stimulation, perhaps to alleviate boredom or feeling stuck. The repetition of "Yell, I wanted more" amplifies this desire for something beyond what is currently experienced.
The following lines "Nosy tempers 'bout to play for now / Anybody who doesn't shy around town / Horizontal moth" are more abstract, but continue the theme of seeking something new and exciting. The reference to a "horizontal moth" could be interpreted as a creature that is vulnerable and exposed, perhaps signifying a willingness to take risks and explore new territory.
The line "At least the sea where liberty / Will stand in place to seek and rule the world" evokes the vastness and possibility of the ocean, where one can feel free and unburdened. The call for "my man love, my big man, that low, lonely dove" at the end suggests a desire for intimacy and connection, even amidst the larger quest for more in life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sea Swallow Me" convey a restlessness and yearning for something beyond the current reality, while also touching on themes of vulnerability, risk-taking, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't turn up, somebody punch me, yeah
I feel numb and want to feel something, anything so give me a physical sensation
Seven sugars and a madman goes
I'm trying to cover up my pain with something sweet, but it's not working
Yell, I wanted more
I'm craving for something that I can't have and it's driving me crazy
Nosy tempers 'bout to play for now
People are gossiping and talking behind my back, but I'm not going to let it bring me down
Anybody who doesn't shy around town
Those who are brave and confident are the ones who make it in this world
Horizontal moth
I feel powerless and insignificant, like a tiny insect
Horizontal to mono re-zones and we'll polish your dreams
If you come to us, we'll help you realize your most audacious dreams
At least the sea where liberty
The sea represents freedom and escape from the constraints of society
Will stand in place to seek and rule the world
We have the power to take over the world and do whatever we want with it once we're free from society's restrictions
Yell, I wanted my man love, my big man, that low, lonely dove
I'm yearning for love and affection, but it seems out of my reach
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elizabeth Fraser, Harold Budd, Robin A. Guthrie, Simon Philip Raymonde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind