Cherry-Coloured Funk

Cocteau Twins, known for their ethereal soundscapes and the distinctive, otherworldly voice of lead singer Elizabeth Fraser, often create music that defies conventional interpretation. 'Cherry-Coloured Funk' is no exception, with its abstract lyrics and lush instrumentation. The song, featured on their 1990 album 'Heaven or Las Vegas,' is a quintessential example of the band's ability to blend obscure lyrics with hauntingly beautiful melodies to evoke a range of emotions and images.

The lyrics of 'Cherry-Coloured Funk' are cryptic and poetic, with phrases like 'beetles and eggs and blues' and 'hugged and tugged down through this tiger's masque.' These surreal images may not convey a clear narrative, but they create a mood that is both dreamlike and introspective. The mention of 'bird lips' and 'tiger's masque' suggests a transformation or a masking of true feelings, while the repetition of colors and elements like 'blues' and 'glass' could symbolize a variety of emotions and states of being, from sadness to fragility.

The song's title itself, 'Cherry-Coloured Funk,' hints at a vibrant yet mellow sound, which is reflected in the music. The band's signature sound, characterized by Fraser's glossolalia-like vocals and Robin Guthrie's shimmering guitar work, creates a sonic environment that feels both comforting and mysterious. The song doesn't just tell a story; it envelops the listener in an experience, inviting them to find their own meaning in the abstract beauty of the Cocteau Twins' musical universe.