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".
Those Eyes That Mouth
Cocteau Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretend your anger
And draws his horses
Being chosen also
Please get up
Fall, please get up
Fall, please get up
So see and hear
Sultitan itan
So see and hear
Plain tiger iger
In my heart
Set you right up
In my heart
I sing this song
Back you up
How messed I am
Back you up
I consider
So he got up
I must see him
I must see him
And all got up
Sore got he
Apalled got up
Apalled got up
I'm in this song
So see and hear
Sultitan itan
So see and hear
Plain tiger iger
background:
And my defeat and hope (x3)
And sad and hope (x3)
Might not feel down
Don't listen, now (only 1st 3 times)
The lyrics of Cocteau Twins' song "Those Eyes That Mouth" is a collection of enigmatic phrases that are open to various interpretations. The words don't seem to form a coherent narrative but act as a stream of consciousness that captures the emotional state and thoughts of the singer. The opening lines "He draws his horses, Pretend your anger" seem to portray someone sketching something while trying to hide or suppress their fluctuating emotions. The second line "Being chosen also" can be interpreted in various ways. It could refer to the subject being selected for something or someone's choice having a significant impact on their disposition.
The lines "Please get up, Fall, please get up" can be seen as an exhortation to someone to stand back up despite their failure, highlighting the importance of resilience. The repetition of these phrases emphasizes its significance, and the next line "Don't ruin yourself" highlights that holding onto failures or disappointment can prove to be damaging. The following lines "So see and hear, Sultitan itan, So see and hear, Plain tiger iger" are cryptic and allude to the idea of perception and sensory encounters.
The following lines "In my heart, Set you right up, In my heart, I sing this song" are expressive and are suggestive of how the singer is using music to soothe themselves and possibly someone else. The lines "Back you up, How messed I am, Back you up, I consider" could suggest someone offering support despite their own personal turmoil. The repetition of "So he got up, I must see him and all got up, Sore got he, Apalled got up, Apalled got up, I'm in this song" seems to point towards a decisive moment where the singer decides to overcome their inner struggles and decides to face something that they regret ignoring earlier.
Line by Line Meaning
He draws his horses
He creates his own world
Pretend your anger
Hide your rage
And draws his horses
And draws his dreams
Being chosen also
Being a part of something special
Please get up
Don't give up
Fall, please get up
Rise above your failures
Don't ruin yourself
Don't destroy your true self
So see and hear
Observe and listen
Sultitan itan
Nonsense words to emphasize beauty
So see and hear
Observe and listen
Plain tiger iger
Nonsense words to emphasize simplicity
In my heart
Deep within me
Set you right up
Make everything right
I sing this song
This is my melody
Back you up
Support you
How messed I am
How confused I feel
I consider
I contemplate
So he got up
So he stood up
I must see him
I need to meet him
And all got up
Everyone stood up
Sore got he
His pain increased
Apalled got up
He rose up feeling shocked
I'm in this song
I am part of this melody
background: And my defeat and hope (x3)
My failures and aspirations
And sad and hope (x3)
Feeling sorrowful but still hopeful
Might not feel down
Don't give in to sadness
Don't listen, now (only 1st 3 times)
Ignore the negativity (repeated 3 times)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE, SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind