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".
Sigh`s Smell Of Farewell
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many fly above my head
I sighed see angry
So many fly above his head
He says, 'we always have these stars'
Some street they're in
My street street, now sold
My street street, now mine
Street street
So many fly above my sighs
He sighs, 'we always have these stars'
Some street, my human part is
So many fly above your head
I sighed, 'see them, be them'
He sighed, 'such things are human'
So many fly above my head
I sense the angry part
He sighed, 'such things they leave their pits'
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
I have sighed, 'Less of these: lonesome youngest, lonely, just a plea'
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
I have sighed
I have sighed, sighed, sighed
He said, he said, he said
The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' song "Sigh's Smell Of Farewell" seem to be exploring the idea of fantasy and the contrast between the fantastical and the real world. The singer is imagining many things that seem to fly above their head and be out of reach, causing them to sigh. However, the person they are speaking with reassures them that they always have the stars as a constant in their life. The mention of streets seems to represent the reality of life, as the singer's street has been sold and is now theirs.
The lyrics continue to delve into the idea of things flying above their head, this time with the other person being the focus. The singer encourages them to see and be the things that fly above their head, which the other person seems to view as a human characteristic. Despite the offer of seeing and being these fantastical things, the singer senses an underlying anger. The other person then says to "pick my feet up proudly," a possible indication of not letting the fantastical things that fly above their head keep them down.
Overall, the lyrics seem to express a desire for a balance between the fantastical and the real world, with the acknowledgement that both have their own beauty and worth.
Line by Line Meaning
In all my fantasies
In all of my dreams that I've conjured up
So many fly above my head
So many fantasies are floating around in my head
I sighed see angry
I saw something that made me sigh and feel angry
So many fly above his head
There are many fantasies and dreams that he imagines
He says, 'we always have these stars'
He assures that we'll always have these shining stars
Some street they're in
Some street they're standing on
My street street, now sold
My old familiar street, now sold to someone else
My street street, now mine
My old familiar street, now back in my possession
Street street, now
The streets are unchanging, yet they can have different meanings
Street street
The idea of streets and their many facets
So many fly above my sighs
My many dreams and fantasies float above my many sighs
He sighs, 'we always have these stars'
He assures that we'll always have these shining stars
Some street, my human part is
Some street where my humanness is still a part of me
So many fly above your head
There are many dreams and fantasies floating around in your head
I sighed, 'see them, be them'
I aspire to let my dreams and fantasies guide me and become a part of me
He sighed, 'such things are human'
He affirms that having dreams and fantasies is a human trait
So many fly above my head
There are many dreams and fantasies floating around in my head
I sense the angry part
I feel a sense of anger in some part of me
He sighed, 'such things they leave their pits'
He reflects on how emotions can leave a mark on our psyche
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
He optimistically decides to move forward with pride and confidence
I have sighed, 'Less of these: lonesome youngest, lonely, just a plea'
I have decided to let go of negative emotions like loneliness and neediness
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
He reaffirms his decision to move forward confidently
I have sighed
I have sighed, reflecting on the past
I have sighed, sighed, sighed
I have sighed deeply and repeatedly
He said, he said, he said
He spoke repeatedly, with emphasis on his words
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Drew Nelson
This is definitely my favorite Cocteau Twins song of all time. I thought the feeling would pass over time, but still.... every single time - it gets me. Sonic brilliance, and yeah - like others are saying - the emotive imagery just surges. It is so lush and lovely. At 2:16, an unexpected plunge into even more ethereal sound. Damn. I forgot how much I love this, and this era of CT. Thanks!
Steve Church
why the word blissfull was invented?
DS FA
The slow builds up and quiet drops back down, building into a climactic ending is Pure CT genius and bliss, love this song...
Stephen Velez
literally one of my five favorite songs ever. beyond gorgeous. i've had so many amazing moments to this song: solitary drives late at night, first kiss, second kiss, best kisses.
John Doe
2:15 goosebumps every time
Denys Sejas
John Doe, that is “the drop” but it feels like they drop icy water
LittleBlue
When I listen to this I see a beautifully fresh spring day! What do other people 'see' when they listen to this?
John Doe
Pink and white
ru ru ru
@John Doe pink butterfly
Anhedonia
Their music makes me feel stuff I didn't know that could be so strong. Maybe this is true love.