Watch Cocteau Twins perform ‘The Spangle Maker’ in full on Swedish TV in 1984
The Scottish dream pop band Cocteau Twins were truly one of a kind. Formed in 1979, having been inspired by punk and post-punk outfits such as Sex Pistols, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Nick Cave group The Birthday Party, their music pioneered a sound unlike anything else. Cocteau Twins put their own dreamlike spin on the gothic rock genre, with vocalist Elizabeth Fraser leading the songs with her unique voice and unintelligible lyrics.
Cocteau Twins carved out a distinctive niche, and their music significantly impacted the development of alternative rock, with practically every original shoegaze band citing the Scottish dream-poppers as a vital influence. Slowdive’s guitarist Christian Savill, who was speaking during an interview with Brooklyn Vegan, said: “I knew that without the Cocteaus, I would never have joined a band”.
Their first album, Garlands, was released in 1982 and was generally well-received, even if some critics thought the band were a Siouxsie and the Banshees rip-off. It’s a beautiful record featuring darkly melodic rhythms and a haunting atmosphere, although the band quickly moved towards their signature lyrically ambiguous style on the follow-up record, Head Over Heels.
Fraser’s lyrics have been the subject of much discussion over the years, with fans debating over the words of their favourite songs. In an interview with NPR, the singer explained: “What they are, are words that I’ve taken from maybe seen written down in a language that I don’t understand, and liking them and maybe making new words as well out of them.”
“I mean, I’ve got reams and reams of words that I don’t have a clue what they mean, but I wanted them because I knew I’d be able to express myself without giving anything away,” she added. Quite simply, the words are as much a mystery to Fraser as they are to listeners. Rather, she allows her voice to become an instrument, forming part of the music’s ethereal soundscape.
Cocteau Twins released several EPs between their early albums, including Peppermint Pig and The Spangle Maker. The latter, decorated with a photograph by Gertrude Käsebier, featured the band’s iconic song ‘Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops’. It was played frequently on radio stations, hitting number one on the UK Indie Charts. The EP also featured ‘The Spangle Maker’ and ‘Pepper-Tree’.
In 1984, the band appeared on Swedish television to perform every track on the EP, as well as additional songs ‘Millimillenary’ and ‘Rococo’. The performance demonstrates Cocteau Twins’ sheer brilliance, even in the early stages of their career, and it’s an essential watch for all fans of the band. They would soon release one of their most flawless albums, Treasure, later that year, which is now considered one of the greatest achievements of the dream-pop genre.
Watch the full performance below.
