Cocteau Twins were a Scottish band active from 1979 to 1997. They were form… Read Full Bio ↴Cocteau Twins were a Scottish band active from 1979 to 1997. They were formed in Grangemouth by Robin Guthrie (guitars, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass), adding Elizabeth Fraser (vocals) in 1981 and replacing Heggie with multi-instrumentalist Simon Raymonde in 1983. The group earned critical praise for their ethereal, effects-laden sound and the soprano vocals of Fraser, whose lyrics often eschew any recognisable language. They pioneered the 1980s alternative rock subgenre of dream pop.

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".

When Mama Was Moth
Cocteau Twins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sunburst and snowblind
I'd seen the(I shouldn't fear) fear running down my brook
While mama was clear(queer), one more brook
Chills all start screaming
Ribbed and veined
The sunburst and the snowblind
A chill of fear running down my back
When mama was moth, I took bulb form

Body electric

Writhe in vain
Body electric x11

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cocteau Twins' song "When Mama Was Moth" are highly poetic and open to interpretation, but there are a few consistent themes that emerge throughout the song. The opening lines, "Sunburst and snowblind / I'd seen the fear running down my brook," suggest a feeling of overwhelming sensory experience, with light and darkness intermingling and fear rising up from within. As the song progresses, the singer makes reference to their mother, who seems to be both a source of mystery and a figure to be feared. "While mama was clear(queer), one more brook / Chills all start screaming" suggests that the singer is afraid of their mother's unpredictable nature, which seems to manifest as a kind of psychic presence that causes fear and unease.

Later in the song, the singer describes themselves taking on a "bulb form" when their mother was moth. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems to suggest a sense of transformation and the singer's desire to protect themselves from their mother's influence. The repeated refrain of "Body electric / Writhe in vain" seems to reinforce this idea, suggesting that the singer is struggling to find some kind of stability or grounding in the midst of all these overwhelming sensations and emotions.

Overall, "When Mama Was Moth" is a deeply symbolic and evocative song that touches on themes of fear, transformation, and the complex relationship between mother and child.

Line by Line Meaning

Sunburst and snowblind
Blinding flashes of sunrays mixed with snowflakes in my vision,

I'd seen the (I shouldn't fear) fear running down my brook
I observe my emotions of fear flowing like a stream, but know there is no reason for it,

While mama was clear(queer), one more brook
My mother was eccentric and different, adding to the flow of emotions in myself,

Chills all start screaming
The sudden presence of fear sends shivers throughout my body and mind,

Ribbed and veined
My body feels strained and tense,

The sunburst and the snowblind
I continue to see flashes of light mixed with snow in my vision,

A chill of fear running down my back
The fear causes a physical reaction and sensation in my body,

When mama was moth, I took bulb form
When my mother was absent or unavailable, I felt helpless and vulnerable,

Body electric
Feeling charged with an intense energy,

Writhe in vain
Struggling without progress or success,

Body electric x11
Continued feeling of intense energy throughout my body and mind,