The Cocteau Twins were signed to Ivo Watts Russel's record label 4AD and Fraser found herself contributing to Russel's 'supergroup' This Mortal Coil which showcased the talents of his stable. Her most notable performance was probably on Song to the Siren; a beautifully haunting cover of the Tim Buckley song which enjoyed a considerable covert success in the late '80s.
Fraser has also recorded with Ian McCulloch (of Echo and the Bunnymen) and Massive Attack as well as featuring on the soundtrack to The Lord of Rings movie trilogy.
Cherry-Coloured Funk
Elizabeth Fraser Lyrics
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You steam a lens stable eyes and glass
Not get pissed off through my bird lips as good news
Still being cried and laughed at from behind
Down far behind this fabulous, my turn rules
Beetles and eggs and blues and bells and eggs and blues
You steam a lens stable eyes and glass
Not get pissed off through my bird lips as good news
You'll hang the hearts black and dull as the night
We hanged your pass and start being as you in ecstasy
(Still being cried and laughed at before)
Should I be sewn in, hugged, I can by not saying
(Still being cried and laughed at from light to blue)
And should I be hugged and tugged down through this tiger's masque
And should I be sung and unbroken by not saying
You mind not saying
He'll hang that heart's black and dull as the night
(Still being cried and laughed at from behind me)
We hanged your pass and star being as you in ecstasy
(Still being cried and laughed at from behind me)
Should I be sung and unbroken by not saying
(Still being cried and laughed at from behind me)
Hugged and tugged down through this tiger's masque for key
The lyrics to Elizabeth Fraser's song Cherry-Coloured Funk are open to various interpretations due to their abstract nature. The opening lines of the song, "Beetles and eggs and blues and pour a little everything else," suggest a stream-of-consciousness approach. The repeated mention of beetles and eggs could symbolize life and growth, while "blues" could represent sadness or loneliness. The line "pour a little everything else" implies a mixing of different emotions and thoughts.
The next line, "You steam a lens stable eyes and glass," is perhaps the most puzzling. One possible interpretation is that it represents the process of someone trying to view the world more clearly, or perhaps someone attempting to see a situation from a different perspective. The line "Not get pissed off through my bird lips as good news" suggests that the singer is holding back negative emotions and trying to remain positive.
The rest of the lyrics continue in a similarly surreal vein. The repeated line "Still being cried and laughed at from behind" could be interpreted as the singer feeling both vulnerable and exposed. The final lines, "Should I be sung and unbroken by not saying/Hugged and tugged down through this tiger's masque for key," leave many possible interpretations open, but one possible reading suggests that the singer is asking whether they should remain silent or be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Beetles and eggs and blues and pour a little everything else
Mixing and combining different things and emotions, including sadness and happiness.
You steam a lens stable eyes and glass
You clear a foggy lens to see things clearly and with focus.
Not get pissed off through my bird lips as good news
Not letting negative emotions affect how you convey positive news.
Still being cried and laughed at from behind
Continuing to be judged and mocked from afar.
Down far behind this fabulous, my turn rules
Being left behind in the wake of someone else's success or joy.
Beetles and eggs and blues and bells and eggs and blues
Repeating the same mixing and combining of different emotions and things.
You'll hang the hearts black and dull as the night
You'll become pessimistic and cynical about love and relationships.
We hanged your pass and start being as you in ecstasy
We've moved past our previous life or experiences and are now happy.
Should I be sewn in, hugged, I can by not saying
Wondering if being closed off and not expressing oneself is the right decision.
And should I be hugged and tugged down through this tiger's masque
Debating whether or not to let someone else's mask or façade affect and control oneself.
And should I be sung and unbroken by not saying
Wondering if staying silent and strong will be the best course of action.
You mind not saying
You're hesitant or uncertain about speaking your mind.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIMON PHILIP RAYMONDE, ELIZABETH FRASER, ROBIN A. GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind