To be fair the late 80's/early 90's were awash with talent. We didn't realise it because we thought it'd always be like that. I know the CT were earlier but there was a mashup from the 80's to the 90's that was just perfect, punk mixed with dub, house mixed with inidie, indie mixed with rock. I'd never give up growing up during those years
That composition is so perfectly controlled and executed, it gives the listener an incredible sense of anticipation and anxiety. Liz Fraser vocal delivery is almost ethereal.
No other like her. I thank the universe on the daily for this woman. She is my thread of sanity,my inspiration. Absolutely indebted, forever grateful.....❤
It's amazing how much intensity they managed to squeeze into such an initially-mellow-sounding groove. Back when I was DJ'ing on my College radio station, I played this song every time I was in the booth. It was in rotation for only two weeks because we didn't get enough requests for it, which really chafed me at the time, I was flabbergasted by the apathy and indifference towards this song, of both our audience and the other DJ's. We could play a limited number of non-Rotation songs every hour (along with the compulsory PSA's the FTC required us to air), and I spun this song up as often as I could, I'd lose myself in it with my cans on, sometimes I could hardly bring myself to cite the next song, I felt like this one deserved some "breathing room" after it ended (Dead Air is "No-no #1 in radio, but I still sometimes waited five to ten seconds to play the next song, even after receiving a warning over it from our studio manager, with whom I had very little in common when it came to music, he loved pop junk like "All-Star", and vacuous house music, which, since he played that kind of light fare every weekend at the local LGBTQ Club, I had hoped he'd be more accommodating for real music on the station: end of self righteous rant). At the end if the year they actually dumped that disk, which I snatched up in a heartbeat. That promotional disk also had an obnoxious (by comparison) tune by Black Grape, and something from Moby, if I recall correctly (this was twenty years ago, now, and I only really cared about this time so far as that promo compilation was concerned) but I just couldn't get into it, it seemed so trite sitting on the same Aluminum/Polycarbonate platter as this song. It was both vindicating and also something of an annoyance to see how popular this song became after it was made into TV-Opening-Theme-Song material a few years later. I'll admit, that's mostly just Sour Grapes, but I was still chuffed that it went overlooked for so many years while ridiculous crap like "Limp Bizkit" and "Bush" were dominating the charts at the time, along with scads of other "Rap & Roll" throwaway me-too acts (I won't name names, I'm sure you can sort it out yourselves). I had played this song for various family members after moving back to Colorado post-Uni, but all I got were disinterested yawns and glazed-over eyes, only to have these same siblings (and my parents) suddenly start telling me about "this awesome theme song" on TV...the very one they had totally blown off when I'd played it for then a few years earlier, on their computers, in the car, and on the Hi-Fi, Doh! They also, apparently, didn't even remember me playing it for then and raving about it! Oh, well, at least it eventually received new legs and finally got some of the recognition it deserved, even if those same Cotton Eared listeners were oblivious to it when it was first released!
forgot how wicked these guys are...the new wave era in music was by far the most inspiring time ...and this coming from a self professed metalhead.....an EPIC trak...
This song always makes me shiver, this is real music and Liz Fraser has such an amazing talent I just can't get enough of this. I've been listening to the Cocteau Twins and everything Liz has been involved with since 1981 and I still love every minute of it.
Love, love is a verb Love is a doing word Fearless on my breath Gentle impulsion Shakes me, makes me lighter Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath Night, night after day Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my... Water is my eye Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Of a confession Fearless on my breath Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath You stumble in the dark You stumble in the dark
The most disputed line - start of second verse. Others hear it as "night, night of murder". (Bear in mind that mis-stressing words is a Fraser trademark, and the association of black flowers [and, indeed, "black milk"])
While recording the song in 1997, she found out that Jeff Buckley, whom she had formerly had a relationship with, had disappeared-later discovered to have drowned. In 2009, she said, "That was so weird ... I'd got letters out and I was thinking about him. That song's kind of about him-that's how it feels to me anyway".
The two most talented together! There are no words. Your heart stops with pain and longing. Tricky and Elizabeth so fucking incredibly talented..I can't stop listening..My heart wants to cry and burst at the same time.
Elizabeth Fraser is an absolute goddess of vocals. Massive attack know quality and put it to use. Both vocalist and musicians are massively (Pun intended if you like) underrated. Long live them both.
Badass! I remember hearing this when "House" started. It was cool back then and even more badass now. I just never knew who it was. Life is good thanks to you guys!
+elevenart Not quite. From Wikipedia: "Fraser wrote the song's lyrics. While recording the song on 29 May 1997, she found out that her once-close friend, Jeff Buckley, had drowned. "That was so weird ... I'd got letters out and I was thinking about him. That song's kind of about him - that's how it feels to me anyway."
I love her voice. I am in heaven now, it makes me cry because I look around and the mess of reality isn't matching up to the sheer perfection of what is going to my ears.
I saw the Cocteaus in 1994 and it was magical. There is a show from 1991 (or 1990) on here that is fairly representative as it has soundboard audio laid over video and it really is a great experience.
I want this song played at my funeral, the most heavenly song ever written. God sent Liz Frazer and her voice for us human. And that groove... man... the drum and bass so tight...
So many years. Why haven't I come across this song before now? I need new friends... Its beauty is blinding, it haunts my every day, and when I heard that it is dedicated to her deceased friend, Jeff Buckley... well... it cuts right through to my soul and leaves my eyes watery. Very, very well done Massive Attack and Elizabeth. Bravo... bravo, bravissimo...
i always listened to this song after my bf was diagnosed with cancer. he's okay now. but the feeling of losing him has stayed with me for years and this song always makes my eyes water.
It's been a decade since I buried my girlfriend who died froma heart attack. I can still hear the sand dropping on the wooden surface of the casket - This song has some healing powers!
@@5293278363 thank you. i appreciate it. he still is. he was cured. this was about fifteen years ago. but it came back a couple of years ago. but he's still here.
That's where I've heard her when I was a child. From Alice to this song, i'm discovering Elizabeth Fraser. Sadly our musical styles don't collide, her voice is a true angel gift.
another Massive Attack song which went over the heads of everyone until it had left the charts. Hard to believe there was no #1 but in our favour it has preserved the integrity of their music.
They chose the right voice, as wonderful as "Ray Of Light" is, Madonna would not have elevated this track to the same heights, Liz Fraser absolutely smokes, can't stop playing it! :).
Sitting in a dark room, sound up to the max, beautiful vibe, Cocteau familiar sound, Liz Fraser that unmistakably voice, ever so angelic, and smooth, with a way to shake up any song that she sings, absolutely one of her finest vocalist of her time..Amen to her for the forgotten voices of the unliving that should have lived!! Grace and Peace to You Liz!!!!
I have always fancied Elizabeth Fraser and always will, I fell head over heels for her in the 80s when I too was a teenager and she still looking good , if there is a song I like best it would be From The Flagstones because everything the Cocteau Twins made is good listening and watching, I really love the video Pearly Dewdrops Drops shot in a church.
This track alwyas gives me goosebumps.. it's like I can feel some beautiful light shooting up...hopeful...and the darkness around it makes it shine even brighter...this sounds so human...conflict and cohesion flowing together in harmony
im almost 30 here and im right there with you! its rare to find a good piece of music now! grew up on Led Zepplin, Rolling Stones, Eagles and the rest. slowly progressed into other genres, but i find myself going back and listening to all the old classics because most stuff just doesnt compare to the soul that went into writing music, you used to be able to feel it.
Some songs can create such an emotion in people that other songs can not. Mazzy Starr with Fade Into You, That beautiful black woman who sings At Last, John Lennon's Jealous Guy, George Harrison's Here Comes The Sun...... and this song right here. amazing...
Liz Fraser sings from inside and outside of her body simultaneously. I don't know any other singer like her. I was obsessed with Blue Bell Knoll in the eighties. Still sounds magical now.
Isn't it strange I love two female vocalists Liz Frazer and Lisa Gerrard both funnily created their own language..I do love others but both haunt you in away others don't
+Garth Davison Have you heard of Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields. She has a very sultry voice, but kind of has that "I don't know what the hell she is saying most of the time, but I love it" style of singing as well. She also fronts another band called Lovage. They are both pretty good bands :)
Couldn't agree more :-) I remember hearing Songs of the Siren and I honestly thought, on first hearing, it was Lisa Gerrard it was so similar..Lisa Gerrard came from as I'm sure you know The Dead Can Dance and then went on to do other things Liz again from the Cocteau Twins and famous for Pearly Dew Drops Drops one of my favs went and did other things as well..So we have two woman from different continents that have a similar tone and singing qualities..How weird is that..I bet Liz could have done Gladiator as well
I love the dark soulful music of the 90s. dopest bass line ever lol. seriously, track will always give me goosebumps This is truly the epitome of 'ethereal'
The lyrics was written by Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) for Jeff Buckley. When the Jeff Buckley's gone, his lover Liz Fraser wrote that song. It's so specially.
Were they lovers? I'm sure Jeff Buckley was dating Joan Wasser of Joan As Policewoman when he passed away. But yes, I've read that this song was recorded by Elizabeth on the day Jeff died so it is, in a sense, about him.
From what I understand, Liz and Jeff dated, but it ended before he passed away. Before that, she was in a relationship with Robin Guthrie, from the begiining of the Cocteau Twins to the early 90s. After Jeff Buckley, Liz got into a relationship with Damon Reece of Spiritualized.
The best female vocalist of the past 50 years. I always imagine Liz Fraser being alive in the 1500's, and royalty and the wealthy coming from all around to hear her sing. Like a Mozart of singing.
I saw Cocteau in the 80ies, Stockholm, Kolingsborg, they had released their first album, which I like a lot. It was raw, have followed and there are just some amazing tracks along the road.
Was corrected recently at a gig by the resident "Engineer" working for the band after I said how lovely it was to hear Liz fraser (as he put this track on during the interval ) and elaborated that she wouldn't do anything like this lol ;D))) anyone that knows anything about music is fully aware Massive attack often works with many different great singers.
Love, love is a verb Love is a doing word Fearless on my breath Gentle impulsion Shakes me, makes me lighter Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my breath Night, night of matter Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Black flowers blossom Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Fearless on my Water is my eye Most faithful mirror Fearless on my breath Teardrop on the fire Of a confession Fearless on…
MINDBLOWING. What happened to the creativity in popular music that the masses could truly get down to? The revolution starts when the 99% can agree upon something and this my friends is the power of MUSIC>
