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Cocteau Twins

Data updated on 2025-04-10 09:05:17 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

864.7 million
Updated on 2025-04-10

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

3,386,227

Followers

1,234,649

Top Cities

  1. United States
    73,559 listeners
  2. United Kingdom
    56,589 listeners
  3. United States
    54,476 listeners
  4. United States
    48,010 listeners
  5. Australia
    40,992 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Cherry-coloured Funk
Cherry-coloured Funk
139,017,569 3:12 1990-09-17
Sea, Swallow Me
Sea, Swallow Me
135,197,405 3:09 1986-11-10
Heaven or Las Vegas
Heaven or Las Vegas
87,280,224 4:58 1990-09-17
Pitch the Baby
Pitch the Baby
34,853,937 3:14 1990-09-17
Lorelei
Lorelei
30,707,749 3:43 1984-11-01
Serpentskirt
Serpentskirt
24,059,293 3:58 1996-01-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
23,433,222 4:11 1984-04-02
Iceblink Luck
Iceblink Luck
22,865,456 3:19 1990-08-28
Know Who You Are At Every Age
Know Who You Are At Every Age
18,564,843 3:40 1993-10-18
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
18,104,766 5:38 1990-09-17
Fifty-fifty Clown
Fifty-fifty Clown
17,576,259 3:10 1990-09-17
Pandora (for Cindy)
Pandora (for Cindy)
13,281,013 5:35 1984-11-01
I Wear Your Ring
I Wear Your Ring
11,167,211 3:29 1990-09-17
Those Eyes, That Mouth
Those Eyes, That Mouth
10,955,597 3:38 1986-10-13
Wolf in the Breast
Wolf in the Breast
10,629,157 3:31 1990-09-17
Persephone
Persephone
9,777,906 4:20 1984-11-01
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
9,207,167 3:41 1983-10-31
Fotzepolitic
Fotzepolitic
8,985,207 3:31 1990-09-17
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
8,370,626 3:54 1993-10-18
Lazy Calm
Lazy Calm
8,002,782 6:35 1986-04-14
Wax And Wane
Wax And Wane
7,512,942 4:04 1982-07-09
She Will Destroy You
She Will Destroy You
7,258,195 4:18 1986-11-10
Cico Buff
Cico Buff
7,211,638 3:46 1988-09-19
Carolyn's Fingers
Carolyn's Fingers
6,575,918 3:06 1988-09-19
Ivo
Ivo
6,552,216 3:53 1984-11-01
Road, River and Rail
Road, River and Rail
6,176,617 3:21 1990-09-17
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
5,728,366 4:29 1993-10-18
Why Do You Love Me?
Why Do You Love Me?
4,837,416 4:52 1986-11-10
Beatrix
Beatrix
4,201,786 3:12 1984-11-01
Blue Bell Knoll
Blue Bell Knoll
4,069,886 3:22 1988-09-19
Bloody And Blunt
Bloody And Blunt
4,015,443 2:13 1986-11-10
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
3,977,543 3:37 1993-10-18
In Our Angelhood
In Our Angelhood
3,940,771 2:60 1983-10-31
Blood Bitch
Blood Bitch
3,400,849 4:35 1982-07-09
Rilkean Heart
Rilkean Heart
3,259,413 4:02 1996-01-01
Crushed
Crushed
3,227,531 3:20 1987-06-15
Amelia
Amelia
3,223,233 3:32 1984-11-01
The Ghost Has No Home
The Ghost Has No Home
3,166,130 7:36 1986-11-10
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
3,125,365 3:47 1993-10-18
Seekers Who Are Lovers
Seekers Who Are Lovers
3,118,188 4:45 1996-01-01
Musette And Drums
Musette And Drums
3,108,984 4:40 1983-10-31
Blind Dumb Deaf
Blind Dumb Deaf
2,987,381 3:47 1982-07-09
Millimillenary
Millimillenary
2,962,624 3:40 1986-01-13
Alice
Alice
2,913,836 4:30 2007-01-09
Eyes Are Mosaics
Eyes Are Mosaics
2,871,212 4:10 1986-11-10
Whales Tails
Whales Tails
2,789,839 3:16 1986-04-14
Oomingmak
Oomingmak
2,784,492 2:43 1986-04-14
Pink Orange Red
Pink Orange Red
2,784,128 4:38 1985-11-01
Athol-brose
Athol-brose
2,769,027 2:59 1988-09-19
Aloysius
Aloysius
2,703,653 3:27 1984-11-01
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
2,619,028 4:37 1993-10-18
My Truth - Remastered 2006
My Truth - Remastered 2006
2,604,792 4:32 1993-10-18
Memory Gongs
Memory Gongs
2,589,242 7:28 1986-11-10
Pur - Remastered 2006
Pur - Remastered 2006
2,571,415 5:01 1993-10-18
Violaine
Violaine
2,548,508 3:46 1996-01-01
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
2,543,574 4:29 1993-10-18
Half-Gifts
Half-Gifts
2,419,143 4:18 1996-01-01
Shallow Then Halo
Shallow Then Halo
2,396,414 5:17 1982-07-09
For Phoebe Still A Baby
For Phoebe Still A Baby
2,289,233 3:15 1988-09-19
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
2,126,521 3:40 1988-09-19
Tishbite
Tishbite
2,048,082 3:50 1996-01-01
Otterley
Otterley
2,035,478 4:04 1984-11-01
Garlands
Garlands
2,009,119 4:32 1982-07-09
Fluffy Tufts
Fluffy Tufts
1,988,262 3:06 1986-04-14
Aikea-Guinea
Aikea-Guinea
1,950,475 3:58 1985-03-04
Love's Easy Tears
Love's Easy Tears
1,924,091 3:36 1986-10-13
Little Spacey
Little Spacey
1,906,343 3:26 1986-04-14
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
1,858,654 3:19 1988-09-19
Essence - Remastered 2006
Essence - Remastered 2006
1,850,991 3:01 1993-10-18
Donimo
Donimo
1,842,316 6:19 1984-11-01
Cicely
Cicely
1,823,295 3:30 1984-11-01
Hitherto
Hitherto
1,765,402 3:52 1986-01-13
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
1,750,774 3:41 1986-11-10
Five Ten Fiftyfold
Five Ten Fiftyfold
1,720,762 4:60 1983-10-31
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
1,713,655 4:10 1988-09-19
Frosty The Snowman
Frosty The Snowman
1,701,106 2:56 2007-01-09
Watchlar
Watchlar
1,698,052 3:16 1990-08-28
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
1,636,065 3:05 1986-04-14
Orange Appled
Orange Appled
1,609,799 2:50 1986-10-13
Calfskin Smack
Calfskin Smack
1,504,348 4:59 1996-01-01
Treasure Hiding
Treasure Hiding
1,441,404 4:55 1996-01-01
Pandora
Pandora
1,427,110 5:26 2000-10-16
The Spangle Maker
The Spangle Maker
1,426,304 4:40 1984-04-02
Suckling The Mender
Suckling The Mender
1,385,352 3:31 1988-09-19
But I'm Not
But I'm Not
1,340,743 2:45 1982-07-09
The Thinner The Air
The Thinner The Air
1,332,747 3:16 1986-04-14
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
1,182,240 3:50 1986-04-14
Eperdu
Eperdu
1,156,792 4:38 1996-01-01
Spooning Good Singing Gum
Spooning Good Singing Gum
1,098,361 3:50 1988-09-19
When Mama Was Moth
When Mama Was Moth
1,091,067 3:06 1983-10-31
Pepper-Tree
Pepper-Tree
1,052,865 3:58 1984-04-02
Feet-like Fins
Feet-like Fins
1,031,770 3:26 1986-04-14
In The Gold Dust Rush
In The Gold Dust Rush
1,023,278 3:41 1983-10-31
Ups
Ups
1,021,695 3:34 1996-01-01
The Hollow Men
The Hollow Men
992,051 5:02 1982-07-09
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
902,092 3:40 1983-10-31
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
886,817 4:57 1983-10-31
Glass Candle Grenades
Glass Candle Grenades
772,667 2:45 1983-10-31
From the Flagstones
From the Flagstones
759,645 3:38 1986-01-13
Grail Overfloweth
Grail Overfloweth
738,757 5:23 1982-07-09
Multifoiled
Multifoiled
719,365 2:36 1983-10-31
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
666,707 3:34 1986-10-13
Wax And Wane - Remixed
Wax And Wane - Remixed
610,736 3:52 1986-01-13
Feathers Oar-Blades
Feathers Oar-Blades
590,785 4:27 1982-11-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
559,745 5:14 1984-04-02
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
523,551 2:51 2007-01-09
Pale Clouded White
Pale Clouded White
498,836 5:02 1985-11-01
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
470,385 3:24 1983-03-04
Mizake the Mizan
Mizake the Mizan
467,473 3:00 1990-08-28
Summer-Blink
Summer-Blink
450,152 3:10 2007-01-09
Ribbed and Veined
Ribbed and Veined
441,736 3:55 1985-11-01
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
409,555 4:00 2024-01-12
Alas Dies Laughing
Alas Dies Laughing
408,060 3:38 1982-11-01
Kookaburra
Kookaburra
392,498 3:19 1985-03-04
Sultitan Itan
Sultitan Itan
355,757 3:50 1985-11-01
Plain Tiger
Plain Tiger
355,295 4:02 1985-11-01
Quisquose
Quisquose
351,609 4:10 1985-03-04
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
335,324 3:38 2000-10-16
Great Spangled Fritillary
Great Spangled Fritillary
316,192 4:02 1985-11-01
Rococo
Rococo
315,556 3:06 1985-03-04
Hazel
Hazel
309,357 2:49 1983-03-04
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
307,146 2:22 2007-01-09
It's All But an Ark Lark
It's All But an Ark Lark
301,611 8:04 1982-11-01
Melonella
Melonella
300,976 4:01 1985-11-01
Laughlines
Laughlines
295,138 3:20 1983-03-04
Eggs and Their Shells
Eggs and Their Shells
288,705 3:04 1985-11-01
Oomingmak - Instrumental
Oomingmak - Instrumental
282,032 2:44 1991-11-04
High Monkey Monk
High Monkey Monk
265,779 3:09 1991-11-04
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
263,633 3:38 2006-02-13
Dials
Dials
260,632 2:42 1991-11-04
Three Swept
Three Swept
237,592 3:37 2007-01-09
Mud And Dark
Mud And Dark
232,128 3:42 2007-01-09
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
204,051 4:47 2006-02-13
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
200,599 4:00 2024-01-12
Primitive Heart
Primitive Heart
187,805 4:07 2007-01-09
Ice Pulse
Ice Pulse
187,367 3:46 2007-01-09
Because of Whirl-Jack
Because of Whirl-Jack
182,370 3:27 2006-02-13
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
179,419 5:02 1983-03-04
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
176,865 3:57 2006-02-13
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
174,569 5:47 2007-01-09
Circling Girl
Circling Girl
171,661 3:33 2007-01-09
Tranquil Eye
Tranquil Eye
167,287 3:55 2007-01-09
Ups - 2024 Remaster
Ups - 2024 Remaster
144,268 3:38 2024-01-12
Round
Round
141,069 3:37 2007-01-09
Flock Of Soul
Flock Of Soul
137,449 3:36 2007-01-09
Smile
Smile
119,466 4:26 2007-01-09
An Elan
An Elan
110,870 4:36 2007-01-09
Golden-Vein - EP Version
Golden-Vein - EP Version
98,640 2:51 2007-01-09
Half-Gifts - EP Version
Half-Gifts - EP Version
98,294 4:15 2007-01-09
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
92,215 4:07 2018-10-05
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
90,181 4:31 2007-01-09
Bluebeard - EP Version
Bluebeard - EP Version
85,290 3:08 2007-01-09
Feet Like Fins
Feet Like Fins
72,872 5:31 2007-01-09
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
71,686 5:42 2018-10-05
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
66,755 3:36 2018-10-05
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
64,188 3:46 2018-10-05
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
63,258 2:47 2018-10-05
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
62,860 4:23 2018-10-05
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
61,536 3:16 2018-10-05
Violaine - EP Version
Violaine - EP Version
59,169 5:08 2007-01-09
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
58,914 3:51 2018-10-05
Tishbite - Single Version
Tishbite - Single Version
58,880 3:13 2018-10-05
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
57,613 4:27 2018-10-05
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
56,282 3:48 2018-10-05
Tishbite
Tishbite
47,021 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]