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understanding what we were trying to do; it all gelled pretty well in that period." It had been noted that during the songs production, Robin
Guthrie did not utilise the rhythm section of the song to its full and higher potential. Although never confirmed by Guthrie or the band themselves, this may be largely due to Guthrie's intention and vision of placing Fraser's vocals and singing ability at the forefront of the song to make it standout more and give the band their unique sound.
341:
290:, Ned Raggett claims that "Carolyn's Fingers" is the clear standout track from the album. He describes the song as being "perhaps the strongest individual Cocteau song since "Aikea-Guinea," with Fraser singing against herself over a rough, hip-hop-inspired rhythm while Guthrie peels off a fantastic main guitar melody and Raymonde contributes some supple bass work." Danny Riley, writing for
273:
Speaking about the creative process of "Carolyn's
Fingers", Raymonde stated that "the recording of Blue Bell Knoll was the first time we had a studio with our own key and a front door we could shut and just get on with it. And that made a massive difference as the three of us were getting on and
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praises the way that the preceding songs on the album "appear to lead up nicely to
Carolyn's Fingers', that beautifully concise, naïve rush of psychedelic dance-pop". The release of "Carolyn's Fingers" was the first single to be released by the band in the US, where it marked a point where the
258:, Elizabeth Fraser "displays one of the most impressive soprano’ in the history of modern music, resembling some sort of exotic songbird from a higher dimension" with music critic Steve Sutherland claiming that through the song, Fraser seemed to portray someone as having "the voice of god".
355:
The video features a mix of split screen shots, depicting band members
Elizabeth Fraser, Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie. Throughout the video, lead singer Fraser frequently appears in front of a blue backdrop resembling clouds in a blue sky whilst wearing a long white gown. A
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Lead singer Fraser had a strong affection for both the track and the overall album, citing that "for the first time in years and I cried, I just thought it was so lovely. It was quite a difficult time, and I think we just decided to throw ourselves into the creativity."
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projects that I was deeply involved with, the
Victorialand album and the Harold Budd collaboration, we were all super busy and – seemingly – fairly happy. Things seemed to be pretty good. We were at our most creative during that period, 1985 through 1990"
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Since its original release, "Carolyn's
Fingers" has since been considered a fan favourite and one of the bands most popular and successful releases through their career. Fraser's vocal ability on the track has received praise for her "glossolalic vocals".
29:
265:
album. Speaking about the overall recording, writing and production of the album, bassist Simon
Raymonde said "That whole period was incredibly fertile, even just before Blue Bell Knoll, with
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During the time of the release, it was uncommon for the
Cocteau Twins to release a single with an accompanying music video. Due to increased popularity and pressure from their record label
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in between full-length album releases, and rarely released singles from albums. The song was a moderate success in the United States market, where it reached #2 on the
297:
Cocteau Twins decided to aim directly for the pleasure of listeners. Frazer's soprano vocals over an ecstatically lush production was highly praised by music critics.
332:
Elsewhere, the track had limited success on international charts. Despite this, the song has gained a reputable following since its original release.
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Frequently performed on live tours by the band since its release, it was also commonly performed by the band on television appearances, namely on
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The song has since become one of the bands signature songs, receiving high praise from music critics and fans alike. According to
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record label and credits all three members of the group – Fraser, Guthrie and
Raymonde as songwriters and well as producers.
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As of July 2022, the music video for "Carolyn's
Fingers" has close to 3 million views on the official 4AD music channel on
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516:"Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic"
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643:"Cocteau Twins - Carolyn's Fingers - Later with Jools Holland BBC 2 28-05-1994"
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The song was released as the first and only single from the band's
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537:"Cocteau Twins — Blue Bell Knoll/Heaven Or Las Vegas (Reissue)"
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album. This was common of the band, who preferred to release
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The track listing for the single released is as follows:
595:"Cocteau Twins - Carolyn's Fingers (Official Video)"
482:"Cocteau Twins: Blue Bell Knoll/Heaven or Las Vegas"
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941:
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807:
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662:"Cocteau Twins Chart History (Alternative Airplay)"
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261:The song was released as the only single from the
360:makes frequent appearances throughout the video.
344:Fraser in the music video for "Carolyn's Fingers"
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325:. The song spent a total of 11 weeks on the
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502:"Cocteau Twins | Blue Bell Knoll"
468:"Cocteau Twins | Blue Bell Knoll"
7:
400:"Ella Megalast Burls Forever" – 3:36
242:. The song was released through the
629:"Cocteau Twins on Blue Bell Knoll"
615:"Cocteau Twins on Blue Bell Knoll"
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535:Riley, Danny (1 August 2014).
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64:"Ella Megalast Burls Forever"
1021:Elizabeth Fraser discography
329:Alternative Airplay charts.
16:1988 single by Cocteau Twins
670:. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
382:Later... with Jools Holland
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358:reel-to-reel tape recorder
1037:The Moon and the Melodies
1026:Robin Guthrie discography
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448:Cocteau Twins discography
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397:"Carolyn's Fingers" –3:06
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26:
224:" is a song by Scottish
858:Echoes in a Shallow Bay
72:June 22, 1988
950:Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops
830:Sunburst and Snowblind
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250:Background and writing
188:Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops
932:Lullabies to Violaine
555:"Alternative Airplay"
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321:" by Irish rock band
282:Release and reception
504:. 19 September 2018.
470:. 19 September 2018.
1069:Cocteau Twins songs
971:Heaven or Las Vegas
784:Heaven or Las Vegas
424:Alternative Airplay
315:Alternative Airplay
22:"Carolyn's Fingers"
896:Compilation albums
791:Four-Calendar Café
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177:singles chronology
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957:Carolyn's Fingers
925:Stars and Topsoil
865:Love's Easy Tears
837:The Spangle Maker
798:Milk & Kisses
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288:AllMusic Magazine
222:Carolyn's Fingers
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169:Cocteau Twins
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142:Songwriter(s)
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1016:Discography
911:The Box Set
728:Will Heggie
541:The Quietus
336:Music video
293:The Quietus
286:Writing in
164:Producer(s)
1064:1988 songs
1053:Categories
978:Evangeline
879:Twinlights
454:References
76:1988-06-22
985:Bluebeard
886:Otherness
816:Lullabies
667:Billboard
580:Billboard
560:Billboard
487:Pitchfork
429:Billboard
417:position
385:in 1994.
327:Billboard
311:Billboard
256:Post Punk
232:band the
98:Dream pop
87:1987–1988
999:Violaine
992:Tishbite
763:Treasure
749:Garlands
521:AllMusic
442:See also
230:dreampop
102:shoegaze
84:Recorded
69:Released
942:Singles
648:YouTube
600:YouTube
365:YouTube
210:(1990)
201:(1988)
192:(1984)
74: (
405:Charts
371:Legacy
319:Desire
112:Length
59:B-side
37:Single
129:Label
93:Genre
872:Snow
415:Peak
228:and
808:EPs
422:US
350:4AD
244:4AD
134:4AD
39:by
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