Elizabeth Fraser

I was just thinking about different types of writing practices, and Elizabeth Fraser’s lyrics came to mind. Fraser is primarily known for her work as the lead singer of the Cocteau Twins, but she later collaborated with artists like Yann Tiersen and Jeff Buckley, among others. In this interview, she discusses her “found” lyrics, and why she opted for them in the first place.

Here is an example of her lyrical style as a part of the Cocteau Twins.

Excerpt from Ivo, the Cocteau Twins

Peep-oh, Peach blow, Pandora, Pompadour
Pale leaf, Pink sweet, Persephone, Near our Ivo
Peep peep-oh, Bit animal, Peep peep
He didn’t deal, little Rito, Peep peep-oh

With the part animal, Peep peep, Near our Ivo
Peep peep-oh, Bit animal, Peep peep
He didn’t deal, little Rito
Peep peep-oh

Peep-oh, Peach blow, Pandora, Pompadour
Pale leaf, Pink sweet, Persephone
Peep-oh, Peach blow, Pandora, Pompadour
Pale leaf, Pink sweet, Persephone

This is her first solo song, Moses, and the lyrics are indistinguishable.

And here she is with Massive Attack

Silent Spring, Massive Attack

Boy brought power
To b-obey
Hear me call
To b-obey
To b-obey
I seek him clothe
Come shush-hush
A shrewd bow to b-obey (we are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (we are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush (we are but bound to b-obey)
A shrewd bow to b-obey (we are but bound to b-obey)
I seek him clothe (we are but bound to b-obey)
Come shush-hush

For (a bit) more information, visit Elizabeth Fraser’s website.

M. Chaplin