Violaine

"Violaine" is a single by Cocteau Twins. It was released by Fontana Records in July 1996. It was the second single to be released from the Milk & Kisses album, and their last single to be released from a non-compilation album. It reached No. 56 on the UK Singles Chart.[1]

"Violaine"
Single by Cocteau Twins
from the album Milk & Kisses
Released8 July 1996
StudioSeptember Sound, London
GenreDream pop, ethereal wave
Length3:13
LabelFontana
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins singles chronology
"Tishbite"
(1996)		 "Violaine"
(1996)

Background and release

"Violaine" was the second single to be released from the 1996 album Milk and Kisses, and includes five tracks released across two CDs, making it the band's second multi-disc single. It was the last single to be released by the band prior to their disbandment in 1997 following a series of unsuccessful attempts by the band to record new material for their ninth studio album. The song "Touch Upon Touch", which was released in 1996 on the compilation Volume 17 and in 1997 on the compilation Splashed with Many a Speck, was the last song recorded by the band prior to their breakup in 1997.[2]

Like their previous single, "Violaine" enjoyed considerable success on European radio, including in Poland where it was considered a "power play" track on various radio stations in the country.[3]

The lyrics of "Violaine" are words in English sung backwards.[4]

Critical reception

Justin Chadwick of Albumism felt that the song "ranks among the band's finest arrangements ever".[4] In a review for Milk & Kisses on Sputnikmusic, Robert Garland wrote that "Violaine has an impact as far as dream pop goes, but the album's larger mainstays are found in its belly."[5]

Live performances

The track has been performed several times by the band, mostly during their 1996 tour for Milk and Kisses prior to the disbandment of the group.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Cocteau Twins

CD: Fontana / CTDC6 (UK)
  1. "Violaine" – 3:46
  2. "Smile" – 3:52
  3. "Tranquil Eye" – 4:25

CD: Fontana / CTDD6 (UK)
  1. "Violaine" – 3:46
  2. "Circling Girl" – 3:32
  3. "Alice" – 4:26

Personnel

Charts
Chart performance for "Violaine"
Chart (1996) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 56
Scotland (OCC)[7] 66

References
  1. "COCTEAU TWINS – full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  2. "Cocteau Twins: Violaine (1 of 2)". Cocteautwins.com. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  3. "Music & Media" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 13 July 1996. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. "Revisiting Cocteau Twins' Final Studio Album 'Milk & Kisses' (1996) | Retrospective Tribute". Albumism.com. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  5. "Review: Cocteau Twins - Milk and Kisses". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
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