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Cocteau Twins

Data updated on 2025-03-27 09:26:17 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

855.5 million
Updated on 2025-03-27

Country

United Kingdom

Monthly listeners

3,430,707

Followers

1,223,688

Top Cities

  1. United States
    75,403 listeners
  2. United Kingdom
    59,201 listeners
  3. United States
    54,414 listeners
  4. United States
    48,871 listeners
  5. Australia
    40,822 listeners

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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Cherry-coloured Funk
Cherry-coloured Funk
137,773,934 3:12 1990-09-17
Sea, Swallow Me
Sea, Swallow Me
133,848,521 3:09 1986-11-10
Heaven or Las Vegas
Heaven or Las Vegas
86,230,963 4:58 1990-09-17
Pitch the Baby
Pitch the Baby
34,460,383 3:14 1990-09-17
Lorelei
Lorelei
30,483,576 3:43 1984-11-01
Serpentskirt
Serpentskirt
23,477,433 3:58 1996-01-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 7" Version
23,305,389 4:11 1984-04-02
Iceblink Luck
Iceblink Luck
22,659,956 3:19 1990-08-28
Know Who You Are At Every Age
Know Who You Are At Every Age
18,208,553 3:40 1993-10-18
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
17,778,262 5:38 1990-09-17
Fifty-fifty Clown
Fifty-fifty Clown
17,424,198 3:10 1990-09-17
Pandora (for Cindy)
Pandora (for Cindy)
13,093,399 5:35 1984-11-01
I Wear Your Ring
I Wear Your Ring
11,060,380 3:29 1990-09-17
Those Eyes, That Mouth
Those Eyes, That Mouth
10,794,824 3:38 1986-10-13
Wolf in the Breast
Wolf in the Breast
10,488,226 3:31 1990-09-17
Persephone
Persephone
9,681,500 4:20 1984-11-01
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
9,109,445 3:41 1983-10-31
Fotzepolitic
Fotzepolitic
8,910,499 3:31 1990-09-17
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
Bluebeard - Remastered 2006
8,285,217 3:54 1993-10-18
Lazy Calm
Lazy Calm
7,930,585 6:35 1986-04-14
Wax And Wane
Wax And Wane
7,454,311 4:04 1982-07-09
She Will Destroy You
She Will Destroy You
7,162,409 4:18 1986-11-10
Cico Buff
Cico Buff
7,055,350 3:46 1988-09-19
Carolyn's Fingers
Carolyn's Fingers
6,540,541 3:06 1988-09-19
Ivo
Ivo
6,513,434 3:53 1984-11-01
Road, River and Rail
Road, River and Rail
6,119,411 3:21 1990-09-17
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
Evangeline - Remastered 2006
5,667,696 4:29 1993-10-18
Why Do You Love Me?
Why Do You Love Me?
4,786,271 4:52 1986-11-10
Beatrix
Beatrix
4,172,277 3:12 1984-11-01
Blue Bell Knoll
Blue Bell Knoll
4,044,774 3:22 1988-09-19
Bloody And Blunt
Bloody And Blunt
3,968,275 2:13 1986-11-10
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
Summerhead - Remastered 2006
3,937,067 3:37 1993-10-18
In Our Angelhood
In Our Angelhood
3,913,494 2:60 1983-10-31
Blood Bitch
Blood Bitch
3,361,307 4:35 1982-07-09
Crushed
Crushed
3,192,769 3:20 1987-06-15
Amelia
Amelia
3,192,034 3:32 1984-11-01
The Ghost Has No Home
The Ghost Has No Home
3,131,439 7:36 1986-11-10
Rilkean Heart
Rilkean Heart
3,099,217 4:02 1996-01-01
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
Squeeze-Wax - Remastered 2006
3,093,239 3:47 1993-10-18
Musette And Drums
Musette And Drums
3,086,262 4:40 1983-10-31
Seekers Who Are Lovers
Seekers Who Are Lovers
3,055,700 4:45 1996-01-01
Blind Dumb Deaf
Blind Dumb Deaf
2,963,644 3:47 1982-07-09
Millimillenary
Millimillenary
2,921,516 3:40 1986-01-13
Alice
Alice
2,891,981 4:30 2007-01-09
Eyes Are Mosaics
Eyes Are Mosaics
2,839,337 4:10 1986-11-10
Whales Tails
Whales Tails
2,771,059 3:16 1986-04-14
Oomingmak
Oomingmak
2,762,373 2:43 1986-04-14
Pink Orange Red
Pink Orange Red
2,753,380 4:38 1985-11-01
Athol-brose
Athol-brose
2,750,806 2:59 1988-09-19
Aloysius
Aloysius
2,685,930 3:27 1984-11-01
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
Oil Of Angels - Remastered 2006
2,589,186 4:37 1993-10-18
My Truth - Remastered 2006
My Truth - Remastered 2006
2,580,031 4:32 1993-10-18
Memory Gongs
Memory Gongs
2,566,557 7:28 1986-11-10
Pur - Remastered 2006
Pur - Remastered 2006
2,547,348 5:01 1993-10-18
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
Theft, And Wandering Around Lost - Remastered 2006
2,520,416 4:29 1993-10-18
Violaine
Violaine
2,514,603 3:46 1996-01-01
Half-Gifts
Half-Gifts
2,388,548 4:18 1996-01-01
Shallow Then Halo
Shallow Then Halo
2,375,670 5:17 1982-07-09
For Phoebe Still A Baby
For Phoebe Still A Baby
2,269,769 3:15 1988-09-19
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
Ella Megalast Burls Forever
2,110,689 3:40 1988-09-19
Otterley
Otterley
2,021,158 4:04 1984-11-01
Tishbite
Tishbite
2,013,498 3:50 1996-01-01
Garlands
Garlands
1,993,572 4:32 1982-07-09
Fluffy Tufts
Fluffy Tufts
1,974,165 3:06 1986-04-14
Aikea-Guinea
Aikea-Guinea
1,937,576 3:58 1985-03-04
Love's Easy Tears
Love's Easy Tears
1,908,661 3:36 1986-10-13
Little Spacey
Little Spacey
1,890,426 3:26 1986-04-14
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
The Itchy Glowbo Blow
1,849,166 3:19 1988-09-19
Essence - Remastered 2006
Essence - Remastered 2006
1,834,812 3:01 1993-10-18
Donimo
Donimo
1,831,024 6:19 1984-11-01
Cicely
Cicely
1,811,783 3:30 1984-11-01
Hitherto
Hitherto
1,745,290 3:52 1986-01-13
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
Ooze Out And Away, Onehow
1,735,961 3:41 1986-11-10
Five Ten Fiftyfold
Five Ten Fiftyfold
1,708,108 4:60 1983-10-31
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat
1,701,676 4:10 1988-09-19
Frosty The Snowman
Frosty The Snowman
1,699,905 2:56 2007-01-09
Watchlar
Watchlar
1,661,555 3:16 1990-08-28
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
Throughout The Dark Months Of April And May
1,625,906 3:05 1986-04-14
Orange Appled
Orange Appled
1,595,660 2:50 1986-10-13
Calfskin Smack
Calfskin Smack
1,482,200 4:59 1996-01-01
Treasure Hiding
Treasure Hiding
1,423,603 4:55 1996-01-01
Pandora
Pandora
1,422,203 5:26 2000-10-16
The Spangle Maker
The Spangle Maker
1,416,047 4:40 1984-04-02
Suckling The Mender
Suckling The Mender
1,377,240 3:31 1988-09-19
But I'm Not
But I'm Not
1,331,827 2:45 1982-07-09
The Thinner The Air
The Thinner The Air
1,324,943 3:16 1986-04-14
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
How To Bring A Blush To The Snow
1,174,555 3:50 1986-04-14
Eperdu
Eperdu
1,145,426 4:38 1996-01-01
Spooning Good Singing Gum
Spooning Good Singing Gum
1,092,431 3:50 1988-09-19
When Mama Was Moth
When Mama Was Moth
1,083,113 3:06 1983-10-31
Pepper-Tree
Pepper-Tree
1,030,811 3:58 1984-04-02
Feet-like Fins
Feet-like Fins
1,025,350 3:26 1986-04-14
In The Gold Dust Rush
In The Gold Dust Rush
1,015,824 3:41 1983-10-31
Ups
Ups
1,009,178 3:34 1996-01-01
The Hollow Men
The Hollow Men
984,715 5:02 1982-07-09
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
894,261 3:40 1983-10-31
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
The Tinderbox (of A Heart)
880,458 4:57 1983-10-31
Glass Candle Grenades
Glass Candle Grenades
767,342 2:45 1983-10-31
From the Flagstones
From the Flagstones
753,323 3:38 1986-01-13
Grail Overfloweth
Grail Overfloweth
733,659 5:23 1982-07-09
Multifoiled
Multifoiled
713,962 2:36 1983-10-31
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
660,362 3:34 1986-10-13
Wax And Wane - Remixed
Wax And Wane - Remixed
605,566 3:52 1986-01-13
Feathers Oar-Blades
Feathers Oar-Blades
586,868 4:27 1982-11-01
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - 12" Version
556,332 5:14 1984-04-02
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
522,487 2:51 2007-01-09
Pale Clouded White
Pale Clouded White
496,411 5:02 1985-11-01
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
Peppermint Pig - 7" Version
467,097 3:24 1983-03-04
Mizake the Mizan
Mizake the Mizan
463,803 3:00 1990-08-28
Summer-Blink
Summer-Blink
447,811 3:10 2007-01-09
Ribbed and Veined
Ribbed and Veined
437,395 3:55 1985-11-01
Alas Dies Laughing
Alas Dies Laughing
405,445 3:38 1982-11-01
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
Serpentskirt - 2024 Remaster
401,804 4:00 2024-01-12
Kookaburra
Kookaburra
390,062 3:19 1985-03-04
Sultitan Itan
Sultitan Itan
353,256 3:50 1985-11-01
Plain Tiger
Plain Tiger
352,224 4:02 1985-11-01
Quisquose
Quisquose
348,940 4:10 1985-03-04
My Love Paramour
My Love Paramour
334,374 3:38 2000-10-16
Great Spangled Fritillary
Great Spangled Fritillary
314,171 4:02 1985-11-01
Rococo
Rococo
313,594 3:06 1985-03-04
Hazel
Hazel
307,520 2:49 1983-03-04
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
Rilkean Heart - EP Version
302,569 2:22 2007-01-09
It's All But an Ark Lark
It's All But an Ark Lark
299,804 8:04 1982-11-01
Melonella
Melonella
298,679 4:01 1985-11-01
Laughlines
Laughlines
293,396 3:20 1983-03-04
Eggs and Their Shells
Eggs and Their Shells
286,556 3:04 1985-11-01
Oomingmak - Instrumental
Oomingmak - Instrumental
280,165 2:44 1991-11-04
High Monkey Monk
High Monkey Monk
263,198 3:09 1991-11-04
Sugar Hiccup
Sugar Hiccup
262,300 3:38 2006-02-13
Dials
Dials
258,686 2:42 1991-11-04
Three Swept
Three Swept
235,392 3:37 2007-01-09
Mud And Dark
Mud And Dark
230,299 3:42 2007-01-09
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops - Alternate Version
203,102 4:47 2006-02-13
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
Rilkean Heart - 2024 Remaster
196,209 4:00 2024-01-12
Primitive Heart
Primitive Heart
186,288 4:07 2007-01-09
Ice Pulse
Ice Pulse
186,084 3:46 2007-01-09
Because of Whirl-Jack
Because of Whirl-Jack
181,224 3:27 2006-02-13
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
Peppermint Pig - 12" Version
178,123 5:02 1983-03-04
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
Aikea-Guinea - Alternate Version
176,037 3:57 2006-02-13
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
Cherry Coloured Funk - Seefeel Remix
172,881 5:47 2007-01-09
Circling Girl
Circling Girl
170,238 3:33 2007-01-09
Tranquil Eye
Tranquil Eye
165,671 3:55 2007-01-09
Ups - 2024 Remaster
Ups - 2024 Remaster
141,984 3:38 2024-01-12
Round
Round
139,883 3:37 2007-01-09
Flock Of Soul
Flock Of Soul
136,347 3:36 2007-01-09
Smile
Smile
118,625 4:26 2007-01-09
An Elan
An Elan
110,118 4:36 2007-01-09
Golden-Vein - EP Version
Golden-Vein - EP Version
97,527 2:51 2007-01-09
Half-Gifts - EP Version
Half-Gifts - EP Version
97,328 4:15 2007-01-09
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
Touch Upon Touch - Volume Magazine Version
91,501 4:07 2018-10-05
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
Pink Orange Red - EP Version
89,206 4:31 2007-01-09
Bluebeard - EP Version
Bluebeard - EP Version
84,643 3:08 2007-01-09
Feet Like Fins
Feet Like Fins
72,422 5:31 2007-01-09
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
Seekers Who Are Lovers - EP Version
70,897 5:42 2018-10-05
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
Circling Girl - Volume Magazine Version
66,286 3:36 2018-10-05
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Serpentskirt - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
63,706 3:46 2018-10-05
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Golden-Vein - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
62,786 2:47 2018-10-05
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Seekers Who Are Lovers - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
62,361 4:23 2018-10-05
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
Fifty - Fifty Clown - Robert Elms BBC Session
61,107 3:16 2018-10-05
Violaine - EP Version
Violaine - EP Version
58,553 5:08 2007-01-09
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
Half-Gifts - Mark Radcliffe BBC Session
58,538 3:51 2018-10-05
Tishbite - Single Version
Tishbite - Single Version
58,425 3:13 2018-10-05
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
Calfskin Smack - Robert Elms BBC Session
57,241 4:27 2018-10-05
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
Violaine - Robert Elms BBC Session
55,897 3:48 2018-10-05
Tishbite
Tishbite
46,748 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]