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 "Sigh's Smell of Farewell" by Cocteau Twins are cryptic and elusive, as is typical of the band's unique and otherworldly style. The song seems to be a contemplation of the many different paths and possibilities that exist in life, and the singer's struggle to choose among them. It begins with a reference to "fantasies" that fly above the singer's head, suggesting the vastness and infinite potential of the human imagination. There is a sense of frustration and confusion, as the singer sighs and sees the many possibilities that exist, yet is unable to ascend to their level or grasp them.
The second half of the song is more grounded in reality, with references to a street that is now sold and owned, and the singer's human part that exists within it. The phrase "we always have these stars" is repeated by the singer and a partner, suggesting a shared understanding or agreement about something that is never explicitly stated. The song ends with the repeated phrase "Pick my feet up proudly," suggesting a determination to move forward and make a choice despite the many distractions and uncertainties of life.
Overall, "Sigh's Smell of Farewell" is a deeply introspective and poetic song that invites multiple interpretations. It speaks to the universal experience of grappling with the myriad possibilities of existence and the difficulty of making choices and finding direction.
Line by Line Meaning
In all my fantasies
My imagination is filled with endless possibilities
So many fly above my head
My mind is constantly racing with ideas and thoughts
I sighed see angry
I perceived a negative emotion
So many fly above his head
He is constantly thinking and coming up with new ideas
He says, 'we always have these stars'
He reminds me of the beauty and constancy of the night sky
Some street they're in
A particular location they are situated at
My street street, now sold
The street where I once lived is now gone
My street street, now mine
The street where I once lived is now mine alone
Street street, now
The present state of the street
Street street
The general idea of a street
So many fly above my sighs
My emotions are constantly fluctuating
He sighs, 'we always have these stars'
He reminds me of the beauty and constancy of the night sky
Some street, my human part is
A part of me still feels connected to my former home
So many fly above your head
Your mind is constantly racing with ideas and thoughts
I sighed, 'see them, be them'
I urge you to embrace your aspirations and dreams
He sighed, 'such things are human'
He acknowledges that it is natural to have aspirations and dreams
So many fly above my head
My mind is constantly racing with ideas and thoughts
I sense the angry part
I perceive a negative emotion
He sighed, 'such things they leave their pits'
He acknowledges that negative emotions can leave a deep impact
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
He encourages himself to move forward with confidence
I have sighed, 'Less of these: lonesome youngest, lonely, just a plea'
I want to distance myself from negative emotions such as loneliness and despair
'Pick my feet up proudly,' said he
He encourages himself to move forward with confidence
I have sighed
I have experienced deep emotions
I have sighed, sighed, sighed
I have experienced a series of deep emotions
He said, he said, he said
He expressed himself multiple times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind