1001 Songs Challenge #729: Iceblink Luck (1990)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

The Cocteau Twins – Iceblink Luck (1990)

We’re staying in the UK and in Scotland. Formed in Grangemouth in 1979 The Cocteau Twins included couple – Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie. Noted for their gothic rock and ethereal sound, we join The Cocteau Twins in 1990 with the release of their sixth album – Heaven or Las Vegas. From there, 1001 Songs have gone with the track – Iceblink Luck.

Iceblink Luck is a hard track to unravel and The Cocteau Twins are notorious for songs such as this one. The song is said to relate to motherhood with Fraser and Guthrie having had a daughter around the time this track was written. The song makes reference to a daughter and also to the child’s father. The chorus uses a metaphor of comparing them to a piece of coal so powerful it could burn a house down. The song sounds like it might be destructive but the suggestion here is of one happy and content with motherhood. 

The Cocteau Twins are another group I have heard of but know next to nothing about. Though difficult to interpret, Iceblink Luck is a pleasant track with some great vocals from Elizabeth Fraser. Heaven or Las Vegas was a critically acclaimed success upon release and was the group’s best selling record. Following the breakdown of Fraser and Guthrie’s relationship the band disbanded in 1997. In 2005 the group planned a reunion performance and world tour but Fraser could not bring herself to perform with Guthrie and The Cocteau Twins have remained in limbo ever since.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)