This Mortal Coil was a project of Ivo Watts-Russell (from Northamptonshire,… Read Full Bio ↴This Mortal Coil was a project of Ivo Watts-Russell (from Northamptonshire, England), president of the British 4AD record label, which began in 1983 and lasted until 1991. This Mortal Coil (TMC) is an example of a supergroup, and performers include members from bands on 4AD's roster, such as Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Colourbox, The Wolfgang Press, Dif Juz, X Mal Deutschland and Modern English. The records consist mostly of dark and moody interpretative cover versions of a wide variety of artists ranging from Big Star and Talking Heads to The Apartments and Tim Buckley. The group recorded three albums; It'll End In Tears, Filigree & Shadow and Blood.

The group takes its name from Shakespeare. In particular Hamlet's soliloquy To be, or not to be, where it refers to dying; "coil" is used in its archaic sense of "disturbance, trouble":

"What dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause."
Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1, line 67.

Ruddy and Wretched
This Mortal Coil Lyrics

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[________________________]
[then she got scared]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Ruddy and Wretched" by This Mortal Coil are quite cryptic and open to interpretation, but there are a few key themes that stand out. The first line, "Ruddy and wretched, tire my brain," suggests a sense of exhaustion or weariness. The word "ruddy" can mean flushed or reddish in color, which may suggest a state of heightened emotion or tension. The phrase "tire my brain" could also suggest mental fatigue or overwhelm.

The second line, "Then she got scared," adds a sense of narrative to the lyrics. It's unclear who "she" is or what caused her fear, but it could be interpreted as a turning point in the song's story. It's possible that the singer is describing their own state of mind, and "she" is a reflection of their own anxieties or fears. Alternatively, "she" could be a separate character who has suddenly become afraid, perhaps in response to something the singer has said or done.

Overall, the lyrics to "Ruddy and Wretched" are enigmatic and evocative, leaving plenty of room for interpretation and imagination.

Line by Line Meaning

then she got scared
Afterwards, her emotions became filled with fear

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN FRYER, NICHOLAS JOHN FRYER, RUSSELL IVO WATTS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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