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".
Shallow Then Halo
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feathered river
Dirty rich soil
Strong and fertile
The then shallow she
Earth as we know it
The then hallow she
A sky for the sacred
Stars in my face
Womb in the belly
Capitol place
(x2)
The then shallow she
Earth as we know it
The then hallow she
A sky for the sacred
In my(x6)
Winged water
Feathered river
Dirty rich soil
Strong and fertile
(x2)
Stars in my eyes
Stars in my face
Womb in the belly
Capitol place
(x2)
In my eyes
At my
Stars in my eyes
In my eyes
At my feet
At my
In my eyes
At my feet
I have stars in my eyes
Stars in my eyes
I have stars in my face
Stars in my face
Stars in my eyes
I have stars in my face
Stars in my face
Stars in my eyes
Stars at my feet
Stars at my arms, Stars at my feet, (x3)
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins’ “Shallow Then Halo” employ a series of metaphors that celebrate the earth’s natural beauty and its ability to nurture life. The song begins with “winged water” and a “feathered river,” suggesting that water is capable of both sharpness and lightness. This is followed by “dirty rich soil” and “strong and fertile,” emphasizing the earth’s nurturing and generative qualities. The phrase “then shallow she” appears twice in the song, with “she” referring to the earth, or the natural world. The “sky for the sacred” and the “stars in my eyes/face” suggest a spiritual aspect to the earth’s beauty, while “womb in the belly” and “capitol place” evoke the idea of the earth as a source of both birth and politics. The repetition of the phrases “stars in my eyes/face” and “at my feet/arms” suggest a sense of wonder at the grandeur of the natural world.
Overall, the lyrics to “Shallow Then Halo” convey a celebration of the earth’s beauty and its capacity to inspire awe and wonder in the human mind. The song uses metaphors that evoke the complexity and diversity of the natural world, highlighting both its physical and spiritual aspects. The repetition of certain phrases adds to the song’s dreamlike quality, creating a sense of immersion in the beauty of the earth and the heavens.
Line by Line Meaning
Winged water
Water transformed into wings, giving it the ability to fly and soar through the air.
Feathered river
A river with feathers, suggesting that it is light and graceful like a bird.
Dirty rich soil
Soil that is both filled with nutrients and capable of growing things, but also has an element of grit and imperfection.
Strong and fertile
Soil that is both robust and influential, with the power to create life and growth.
The then shallow she
A female entity that was once superficial and lacking in depth or complexity.
Earth as we know it
The planet we inhabit and consider to be home, with all its natural beauty and wonders.
The then hallow she
A female entity that was once empty or hollow inside, lacking meaning or purpose.
A sky for the sacred
A celestial canvas or dome that is the realm of gods or spirits, filled with something mystical and holy.
Stars in my eyes
Glistening points of light that symbolize dreams, hopes, and desires.
Stars in my face
Stars that are so close that they seem to be embedded in one's countenance, perhaps signifying a radiant or otherworldly being.
Womb in the belly
A place of creation, nurture and birth, often representing the feminine and the source of all life.
Capitol place
A central location or important site associated with power, governance, or higher authority.
In my
A repeated phrase that emphasizes the personal ownership and intimacy of the following lines.
I have stars in my eyes
My vision is filled with aspirations and yearnings that seem as distant and unreachable as the stars themselves.
Stars at my feet
Stars that have descended to the ground, suggesting that they are within reach or attainable.
Stars at my arms, Stars at my feet, (x3)
A repeating phrase that reinforces the notion of stars being within reach and surrounding the artist, providing comfort, guidance, or inspiration.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, WILLIAM HEGGIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind