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Cocteau Twins

Data updated on 2024-12-24 11:31:41 UTC
A group whose distinctly ethereal and gossamer sound virtually defined the enigmatic image of the record label 4AD, Cocteau Twins were founded in Grangemouth, Scotland, in 1979. Taking their name from an obscure song from fellow Scots Simple Minds, the Cocteaus were originally formed by guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Will Heggie and later rounded out by Guthrie's girlfriend Elizabeth Fraser, an utterly unique performer whose swooping, operatic vocals relied less on any recognizable language than on the subjective sounds and textures of verbalized emotions.

In 1982, the trio signed to 4AD, the arty British label then best known as the home of the Birthday Party, whose members helped the Cocteaus win a contract. The group debuted with Garlands, which offered an embryonic taste of their rapidly developing, atmospheric sound, crafted around Guthrie's creative use of distorted guitars, tape loops, and echo boxes and anchored in Heggie's rhythmic bass as well as an omnipresent Roland 808 drum machine. Shortly after the release of the Peppermint Pig EP, Heggie left the group, and Guthrie and Fraser cut 1983's Head Over Heels as a duo; nonetheless, the album largely perfected the Cocteaus' gauzy formula, and established the foundation from which the group would continue to work for the duration of its career.

In late 1983, ex-Drowning Craze bassist Simon Raymonde joined the band to record the EP The Spangle Maker; as time wore on, Raymonde became an increasingly essential component of Cocteau Twins, gradually assuming an active role as a writer, arranger, and producer. With their lineup firmly solidified, they issued The Spangle Maker, followed by the LP Treasure, their most mature and consistent work yet. A burst of creativity followed, as the Twins issued three separate EPs -- Aikea-Guinea, Tiny Dynamine, and Echoes in a Shallow Bay -- in 1985, trailed a year later by the acoustic Victorialand album, the Love's Easy Tears EP, and The Moon and the Melodies, a collaborative effort with minimalist composer Harold Budd.

With 1988's sophisticated Blue Bell Knoll, the trio signed an international contract with Capitol Records, which greatly elevated their commercial visibility. After 1990's Heaven or Las Vegas, the Cocteaus severed their long-standing relationship with 4AD; notably, the album also found Fraser's vocals offering the occasional comprehensible turn of phrase, a trend continued on 1993's Four-Calendar Cafe. In 1995, they explored a pair of differing musical approaches on simultaneously released EPs: while Twinlights offered subtle acoustic sounds, Otherness tackled ambient grooves, remixed by Seefeel's Mark Clifford. On the other hand, 1996's Milk & Kisses LP marked a return to the band's archetypal style. Cocteau Twins quietly disbanded while working on an uncompleted follow-up. Posthumous releases followed, such as 1999's BBC Sessions, 2000's Stars and Topsoil, and 2005's Lullabies to Violaine. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

Total plays

793.9 million
Updated on 2024-12-24

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

3,596,524

Followers

1,153,127

Top Cities

  1. United States
    73,550 listeners
  2. United Kingdom
    62,502 listeners
  3. United States
    49,835 listeners
  4. United States
    48,050 listeners
  5. United States
    40,489 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Cherry-coloured Funk
Cherry-coloured Funk
129,266,344 3:12 1990-09-17
Sea, Swallow Me
Sea, Swallow Me
124,247,615 3:09 1986-11-10
Heaven or Las Vegas
Heaven or Las Vegas
79,803,681 4:58 1990-09-17
Pitch the Baby
Pitch the Baby
31,749,239 3:14 1990-09-17
Lorelei
Lorelei
28,965,535 3:43 1984-11-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
22,376,353 4:11 1984-04-02
Iceblink Luck
Iceblink Luck
21,290,225 3:19 1990-08-28
Serpentskirt
Serpentskirt
19,314,913 3:58 1996-01-01
Fifty-fifty Clown
Fifty-fifty Clown
16,391,057 3:10 1990-09-17
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
16,058,686 5:38 1990-09-17
Know Who You Are At Every Age
Know Who You Are At Every Age
15,776,234 3:40 1993-10-18
Pandora (for Cindy)
Pandora (for Cindy)
11,943,789 5:35 1984-11-01
I Wear Your Ring
I Wear Your Ring
10,318,022 3:29 1990-09-17
Those Eyes, That Mouth
Those Eyes, That Mouth
9,697,232 3:38 1986-10-13
Wolf in the Breast
Wolf in the Breast
9,552,242 3:31 1990-09-17
Persephone
Persephone
9,039,627 4:20 1984-11-01
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
8,456,725 3:41 1983-10-31
Fotzepolitic
Fotzepolitic
8,381,602 3:31 1990-09-17
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
7,777,459 3:54 1993-10-18
Lazy Calm
Lazy Calm
7,477,947 6:35 1986-04-14
Wax And Wane
Wax And Wane
7,051,654 4:04 1982-07-09
She Will Destroy You
She Will Destroy You
6,507,278 4:18 1986-11-10
Carolyn's Fingers
Carolyn's Fingers
6,299,051 3:06 1988-09-19
Ivo
Ivo
6,242,490 3:53 1984-11-01
Cico Buff
Cico Buff
6,070,785 3:46 1988-09-19
Road, River and Rail
Road, River and Rail
5,741,122 3:21 1990-09-17
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
5,266,620 4:29 1993-10-18
Why Do You Love Me?
Why Do You Love Me?
4,437,155 4:52 1986-11-10
Beatrix
Beatrix
3,966,569 3:12 1984-11-01
Blue Bell Knoll
Blue Bell Knoll
3,885,323 3:22 1988-09-19
In Our Angelhood
In Our Angelhood
3,726,255 2:60 1983-10-31
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
3,676,362 3:37 1993-10-18
Bloody And Blunt
Bloody And Blunt
3,627,623 2:13 1986-11-10
Blood Bitch
Blood Bitch
3,151,270 4:35 1982-07-09
Amelia
Amelia
2,986,887 3:32 1984-11-01
Crushed
Crushed
2,971,917 3:20 1987-06-15
Musette And Drums
Musette And Drums
2,940,484 4:40 1983-10-31
The Ghost Has No Home
The Ghost Has No Home
2,913,726 7:36 1986-11-10
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
2,896,586 3:47 1993-10-18
Blind Dumb Deaf
Blind Dumb Deaf
2,818,851 3:47 1982-07-09
Alice
Alice
2,743,133 4:30 2007-01-09
Millimillenary
Millimillenary
2,663,381 3:40 1986-01-13
Seekers Who Are Lovers
Seekers Who Are Lovers
2,660,378 4:45 1996-01-01
Whales Tails
Whales Tails
2,635,049 3:16 1986-04-14
Athol-brose
Athol-brose
2,622,118 2:59 1988-09-19
Eyes Are Mosaics
Eyes Are Mosaics
2,605,563 4:10 1986-11-10
Oomingmak
Oomingmak
2,581,064 2:43 1986-04-14
Aloysius
Aloysius
2,564,851 3:27 1984-11-01
Pink Orange Red
Pink Orange Red
2,558,476 4:38 1985-11-01
My Truth - Remastered 2006
My Truth - Remastered 2006
2,421,998 4:32 1993-10-18
Memory Gongs
Memory Gongs
2,416,993 7:28 1986-11-10
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
2,406,802 4:37 1993-10-18
Pur - Remastered 2006
Pur - Remastered 2006
2,396,983 5:01 1993-10-18
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
2,371,010 4:29 1993-10-18
Rilkean Heart
Rilkean Heart
2,310,657 4:02 1996-01-01
Violaine
Violaine
2,281,125 3:46 1996-01-01
Shallow Then Halo
Shallow Then Halo
2,241,882 5:17 1982-07-09
Half-Gifts
Half-Gifts
2,159,767 4:18 1996-01-01
For Phoebe Still A Baby
For Phoebe Still A Baby
2,146,782 3:15 1988-09-19
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
2,009,112 3:40 1988-09-19
Otterley
Otterley
1,927,569 4:04 1984-11-01
Garlands
Garlands
1,883,042 4:32 1982-07-09
Fluffy Tufts
Fluffy Tufts
1,877,184 3:06 1986-04-14
Aikea-Guinea
Aikea-Guinea
1,853,064 3:58 1985-03-04
Love's Easy Tears
Love's Easy Tears
1,800,287 3:36 1986-10-13
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
1,785,896 3:19 1988-09-19
Little Spacey
Little Spacey
1,780,420 3:26 1986-04-14
Tishbite
Tishbite
1,774,517 3:50 1996-01-01
Donimo
Donimo
1,754,844 6:19 1984-11-01
Cicely
Cicely
1,734,275 3:30 1984-11-01
Essence - Remastered 2006
Essence - Remastered 2006
1,724,488 3:01 1993-10-18
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
1,631,483 3:41 1986-11-10
Five Ten Fiftyfold
Five Ten Fiftyfold
1,629,435 4:60 1983-10-31
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
1,621,520 4:10 1988-09-19
Hitherto
Hitherto
1,616,304 3:52 1986-01-13
Frosty The Snowman
Frosty The Snowman
1,579,304 2:56 2007-01-09
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
1,549,298 3:05 1986-04-14
Watchlar
Watchlar
1,520,265 3:16 1990-08-28
Orange Appled
Orange Appled
1,509,018 2:50 1986-10-13
Pandora
Pandora
1,387,875 5:26 2000-10-16
The Spangle Maker
The Spangle Maker
1,348,237 4:40 1984-04-02
Calfskin Smack
Calfskin Smack
1,330,754 4:59 1996-01-01
Suckling The Mender
Suckling The Mender
1,321,526 3:31 1988-09-19
Treasure Hiding
Treasure Hiding
1,303,921 4:55 1996-01-01
But I'm Not
But I'm Not
1,274,905 2:45 1982-07-09
The Thinner The Air
The Thinner The Air
1,273,019 3:16 1986-04-14
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
1,122,565 3:50 1986-04-14
Eperdu
Eperdu
1,067,679 4:38 1996-01-01
Spooning Good Singing Gum
Spooning Good Singing Gum
1,050,258 3:50 1988-09-19
When Mama Was Moth
When Mama Was Moth
1,038,553 3:06 1983-10-31
Feet-like Fins
Feet-like Fins
982,671 3:26 1986-04-14
In The Gold Dust Rush
In The Gold Dust Rush
970,160 3:41 1983-10-31
Pepper-Tree
Pepper-Tree
949,909 3:58 1984-04-02
The Hollow Men
The Hollow Men
938,019 5:02 1982-07-09
Ups
Ups
925,862 3:34 1996-01-01
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
848,256 3:40 1983-10-31
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
842,880 4:57 1983-10-31
Glass Candle Grenades
Glass Candle Grenades
736,435 2:45 1983-10-31
From the Flagstones
From the Flagstones
711,033 3:38 1986-01-13
Grail Overfloweth
Grail Overfloweth
700,301 5:23 1982-07-09
Multifoiled
Multifoiled
680,865 2:36 1983-10-31
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
619,347 3:34 1986-10-13
Wax And Wane - Remixed
Wax And Wane - Remixed
569,668 3:52 1986-01-13
Feathers Oar-Blades
Feathers Oar-Blades
561,840 4:27 1982-11-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
535,979 5:14 1984-04-02
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
491,656 2:51 2007-01-09
Pale Clouded White
Pale Clouded White
481,307 5:02 1985-11-01
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
444,825 3:24 1983-03-04
Mizake the Mizan
Mizake the Mizan
440,042 3:00 1990-08-28
Summer-Blink
Summer-Blink
432,766 3:10 2007-01-09
Ribbed and Veined
Ribbed and Veined
412,800 3:55 1985-11-01
Alas Dies Laughing
Alas Dies Laughing
388,736 3:38 1982-11-01
Kookaburra
Kookaburra
373,161 3:19 1985-03-04
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
348,015 4:00 2024-01-12
Sultitan Itan
Sultitan Itan
336,884 3:50 1985-11-01
Quisquose
Quisquose
333,677 4:10 1985-03-04
Plain Tiger
Plain Tiger
332,229 4:02 1985-11-01
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
327,898 3:38 2000-10-16
Rococo
Rococo
301,518 3:06 1985-03-04
Great Spangled Fritillary
Great Spangled Fritillary
301,319 4:02 1985-11-01
Hazel
Hazel
296,412 2:49 1983-03-04
It's All But an Ark Lark
It's All But an Ark Lark
287,948 8:04 1982-11-01
Melonella
Melonella
284,741 4:01 1985-11-01
Laughlines
Laughlines
281,417 3:20 1983-03-04
Eggs and Their Shells
Eggs and Their Shells
274,287 3:04 1985-11-01
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
271,288 2:22 2007-01-09
Oomingmak - Instrumental
Oomingmak - Instrumental
267,332 2:44 1991-11-04
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
253,028 3:38 2006-02-13
High Monkey Monk
High Monkey Monk
248,223 3:09 1991-11-04
Dials
Dials
245,901 2:42 1991-11-04
Three Swept
Three Swept
220,801 3:37 2007-01-09
Mud And Dark
Mud And Dark
218,040 3:42 2007-01-09
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
197,608 4:47 2006-02-13
Ice Pulse
Ice Pulse
175,748 3:46 2007-01-09
Primitive Heart
Primitive Heart
175,198 4:07 2007-01-09
Because of Whirl-Jack
Because of Whirl-Jack
174,261 3:27 2006-02-13
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
170,533 3:57 2006-02-13
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
170,037 5:02 1983-03-04
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
168,244 4:00 2024-01-12
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
165,472 5:47 2007-01-09
Circling Girl
Circling Girl
160,513 3:33 2007-01-09
Tranquil Eye
Tranquil Eye
155,259 3:55 2007-01-09
Round
Round
131,757 3:37 2007-01-09
Flock Of Soul
Flock Of Soul
128,442 3:36 2007-01-09
Ups - 2024 Remaster
Ups - 2024 Remaster
125,934 3:38 2024-01-12
Smile
Smile
113,125 4:26 2007-01-09
An Elan
An Elan
105,363 4:36 2007-01-09
Half-Gifts - EP Version
Half-Gifts - EP Version
90,954 4:15 2007-01-09
Golden-Vein - EP Version
Golden-Vein - EP Version
90,219 2:51 2007-01-09
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
86,936 4:07 2018-10-05
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
83,100 4:31 2007-01-09
Bluebeard - EP Version
Bluebeard - EP Version
80,851 3:08 2007-01-09
Feet Like Fins
Feet Like Fins
69,510 5:31 2007-01-09
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
66,710 5:42 2018-10-05
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
63,385 3:36 2018-10-05
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
60,657 3:46 2018-10-05
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
60,194 2:47 2018-10-05
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
59,160 4:23 2018-10-05
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
58,252 3:16 2018-10-05
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
56,393 3:51 2018-10-05
Tishbite - Single Version
Tishbite - Single Version
56,035 3:13 2018-10-05
Violaine - EP Version
Violaine - EP Version
55,003 5:08 2007-01-09
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
54,938 4:27 2018-10-05
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
53,435 3:48 2018-10-05
Tishbite
Tishbite
44,951 3:12 2007-01-09

New releases

Four-Calendar Café (Remastered 2024)
Four-Calendar Café (Remastered 2024)
2024-01-30
[UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Milk & Kisses (Remastered 2024)
Milk & Kisses (Remastered 2024)
2024-01-30
[UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Four-Calendar Café (2024 Remaster)
Four-Calendar Café (2024 Remaster)
2024-01-12
[4AD]
Milk & Kisses (2024 Remaster)
Milk & Kisses (2024 Remaster)
2024-01-12
[4AD]
Treasure Hiding: The Fontana Years
Treasure Hiding: The Fontana Years
2018-10-05
[UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Lullabies To Violaine - Volume 2
Lullabies To Violaine - Volume 2
2007-01-09
[Soleil Après Minuit]
Lullabies To Violaine (Volume One)
Lullabies To Violaine (Volume One)
2006-02-13
[4AD]
Stars And Topsoil - A Collection 1982-1990
Stars And Topsoil - A Collection 1982-1990
2000-10-16
[4AD]
Milk & Kisses
Milk & Kisses
1996-03-01
[4AD]
Milk & Kisses
Milk & Kisses
1996-01-01
[UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Milk & Kisses
Milk & Kisses
1996-01-01
[EMI]
Milk & Kisses
Milk & Kisses
1996-01-01
[UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Four-Calendar Café
Four-Calendar Café
1993-10-18
[4AD]
Cocteau Twins Singles Collection
Cocteau Twins Singles Collection
1991-11-04
[4AD]
Heaven or Las Vegas
Heaven or Las Vegas
1990-09-17
[4AD]
Iceblink Luck
Iceblink Luck
1990-08-28
[4AD]
Blue Bell Knoll
Blue Bell Knoll
1988-09-19
[4AD]
The Moon and the Melodies
The Moon and the Melodies
1986-11-10
[4AD]
Love's Easy Tears
Love's Easy Tears
1986-10-13
[4AD]
Victorialand
Victorialand
1986-04-14
[4AD]
The Pink Opaque
The Pink Opaque
1986-01-13
[4AD]
Echoes In A Shallow Bay
Echoes In A Shallow Bay
1985-11-01
[4AD]
Tiny Dynamine
Tiny Dynamine
1985-11-01
[4AD]
Aikea-Guinea
Aikea-Guinea
1985-03-04
[4AD]
Treasure
Treasure
1984-11-01
[4AD]
The Spangle Maker
The Spangle Maker
1984-04-02
[4AD]
Head Over Heels
Head Over Heels
1983-10-31
[4AD]
Peppermint Pig
Peppermint Pig
1983-03-04
[4AD]
Lullabies
Lullabies
1982-11-01
[4AD]
Garlands
Garlands
1982-07-09
[4AD]