This Mortal Coil - "Song to the Siren" - live

Broadcast on Channel Four's "Loose Talk", Tuesday 11 October, 1983.

[@bambit08]

Best song ever. ❤️ Anyone else listening still in 2024?

[@nobita813]

Me

[@rodrigomontano8747]

la canción mas triste del universo

[@KarstenSelle]

Yes, me. You're fully right, nothing than this song ever

[@alunthomas1045]

Best female vocal EVER! Still gives me goosebumps every time !

[@hamsterslice]

i just heard this song for the first time today, i love it :)

[@MrOvershoot]

This was the closing song played at my wife's funeral We were massive Cocteau Twins fans. They even did a song about her fingers. Rest in peace Carolyn

[@doktorhulk]

which song is it. sorry for your loss!

[@MrOvershoot]

@@doktorhulk Song to the siren at her funeral and "Carolyn's Fingers" is the other song

[@doktorhulk]

@@MrOvershoot thank you, just found it! all the best!

[@MegaPontoon]

Gorgeous song. Love liz frazer

[@digger5521]

What an amazing song you both shared.....

[@BettherBeachwear]

her voice alone is an instrument.

[@sandipsamanta6145]

So true 👍👍👍

[@Chriswoodworker]

So true.

[@jmo13322]

Good one👏

[@bernardodelatorre5243]

The most beautyfull instrument

[@robhaver8704]

That is 'the story' behind making instuments. To immulate the voice.

[@rong2912]

It's amazing that her voice sounds just as flawless live as in the studio version

[@StephenJohnson-jb7xe]

Better in my opinion.

[@mickeykmtl]

word @@StephenJohnson-jb7xe

[@itisonlyme1]

Yes!

[@dennismccallister3994]

I just lost my English Bulldog last Sunday, My heart is broken, nine years of love and devotion, and this song just rips me up....RIP Tator...Dad Loves you!

[@Itsyrm8]

Dude

[@paulclark4616]

😪

[@kinverrunner]

All dogs go to heaven

[@rabit818]

So beautiful I get goosebumps. Elizabeth Fraser made this song hers.

[@UnderTheTableGremlin]

Agreed. The original is great but i think it’s nothing compared to this version. This gives it the build. The power. The emotion.

[@TheIanoTube]

@@UnderTheTableGremlin I absolutely adore this version, but it's a tight competition between this and Tim Buckley's Take 7 version. That somehow draws out even more emotion from me, please give it a listen if you haven't already

[@ronklijn5454]

This is good, but a different song. Not even close. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH63dqd6d616j5Y

[@Bungaroosh]

@@UnderTheTableGremlin Finest voice. Up there with history's best

[@Ethericrose]

Both Tim and Elizabeth sang this song with deepest honest beauty. I feel it would be a crime to compare and come to a conclusion as to who sang it better. Ultimately, both sang it perfectly while using their individual unique talents.

[@trumpet71]

This is still so FRESH and not dated in 2022. Unlike much of 80's music, this sounds as if it was recorded last year!

[@lukasvanderwesthuizen7893]

Its such a shame that alot of people dont know this artist. One of the best voices ever.

[@icequeen9417]

I agree

[@kzookz5241]

Have you heard Sun's Signature from last year? It's incredible. Liz still has it.

[@AllOuttaBubblegum123]

John frusciante version? Anyone?

[@35sixer]

Never seen this live.. no words..another dimension. Angelic. Thank you Tim Buckley and thank you Liz for all the music.

[@scottdavison1420]

Larry Beckett wrote the haunting and gorgeous lyrics.

[@JsRf13]

one of the most devastatingly beautiful pieces of recorded music.

[@Egoblivion]

Holy Mother of God! I want this song played as my ashes are being dashed away by the wind.

[@janec8733]

Mitchell S. same here

[@ChristopherSmith-bh4sz]

I want this too

[@blackcallalily6540]

yes 😭

[@pashapasovski5860]

Mitchell S. I had the exact same idea, some 30 years ago...

[@giantsquid2]

Me too.

[@HansHelmett]

I could hear Cocteau Twins in 1991, in Brazil, on the day I went, the device that made the effects broke. Without it the shakes up, Elizabeth Fraser, just started to do the effects, right there, live, while the audience sang ecstatically. I was there, the one meter that little "giant" singer. Unforgettable.

[@jeffreypresley2204]

F king awesome! ❤💛🤘

[@garyelrick2653]

You must be the luckiest person in the whole world, wish i had seen it, all the best and take care.

[@JoshLuke864]

Respect

[@egidio027]

Sortudo demais cruzes

[@wlamb9]

This is my favorite vocal performance of all time.

[@innuendo141]

I was paralysed when I first heard this song in Lost Highway. Absolutely stunned at it's beauty.

[@northfullmoon3570]

❤

[@jeffrey1954]

This song was originally supposed to be in Blue Velvet during the dance scene with Jeffrey and Sandy. That would have blown my mind. Lynch has superb taste in music.

[@supravista]

This is one of the most uncontrived performances of a tragic love song.

[@xinth23]

I think we found one of the real Sirens. Elizabeth's voice is surely beckoning.

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

I just loss my husband of 30 years to stage 4 pancreatic cancer this Feb . This song breaks my heart he loved it .

[@DarkGlassly]

So sorry for your loss :(

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

@@DarkGlassly thank you

[@MrChnoupilou]

I think she didn't realise she sang the most emotional song ever ! Thank you ;-)

[@mattjarvie6443]

Incredibly beautiful. Even better than the studio version.

[@morbidorbits]

I was thinking the same thing. I was listening to this on vinyl when it was released, although I was into punk more than anything then. I was just lightly crying when I watched this - as you say it's better than ever.

[@danielejr1460]

i agree wit you exept for the two part when she repet "Here i am", in this live these part are so simply. When she repet "here i am" in the studio version is orgasmatic

[@antunivanovic]

again that statement only proves how gorgeous they made it. What a song, what a performance. Less is more ∞

[@MissJensk1]

I think so too. Not a trace of arrogance in her, not tlike the current crop of sex muppets who think they're God's gift. For Liz its all about the music. Enchanting.

[@RoofRack2]

Having just watched both a couple of hundred times each I think you are right.

[@slowmarchingband1]

Here in 2022. I used to play this in the dark, 40 years ago, and it still gives me goosebumps.

[@jimmyholmes3959]

saw then in 85 in glasgow and that voice was the SWEETEST i have ever heard and still nobody has came close you can't tell the difference between live and studio recordings AMAZING

[@kimwells2749]

The amazing-ness that the music to this song was written by Tim Buckley in the late 60s early 70s and still so deeply resonates with EVERYONE embraces my heart and soul….for I too lived then….72 now and this music still speaks to me

[@papabilhas]

This is art, nothing could be the same after this!

[@zsoltsator5433]

+Scorpion leader It's talking to the soul, that's why. The pop music is talking to the genitals. :)

[@papabilhas]

Agree...

[@paul.galv97]

You need to listen the version of John Frusciante bro ;)

[@tinatuscany]

Music of the angels .

[@geozeo710]

Never get over how she sings this..

[@achillefskatsamas1359]

God bless Tim Buckley for this wonderful song.Credits to This Mortal Coil for the sublime cover.

[@scottdavison1420]

Larry Beckett wrote the lyrics to this song. Credits to him.

[@danielleheart6434]

if your ever in pain that needs release and healing... use this song to help the emotional healing faster

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

I can't think of another song that quite captures the feeling of heartbreak. Before I even heard this song, I have described it this way... even used the words, "I'm as lost as child." which is similar to "as puzzled as a newborn child".

[@normzinker7018]

Simply cathartic.

[@RosalieLubart]

I just cry :')

[@annawickberg535]

❤

[@goodvibes4allfs]

Pur- Cocteau Twins its a must 2. Good vibes all 😎💪👊🌹

[@coastwalker101]

Possibly the best piece of music from the 1980s

[@dymondsdesigns8934]

April 2024 and I often come back to listen to this awesome song again. ❤

[@edaustin2682]

One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard!

[@IAmGRX]

I love how Tim Buckley songs aren't typical verse, chorus, verse bridge, chorus out. His songs are more poems set to music. She does a nice job on this cover.

[@koitorob]

"Does a nice job"? SHE OWNS IT!

[@StephenVBeckett]

My brother, Larry Beckett wrote Song to the Siren, and brought it to Buckley for the music. They collaborated on many of Tim's songs.

[@scottdavison1420]

@@StephenVBeckett What a wonderful lyricist/ poet he was!!!

[@maurowoody8205]

One of those songs that makes the whole world stop to just listen. The magic of this song is the restraint and spaces in between the voice and guitar.

[@stuartmcguinness3665]

65 yo. Contemplating a combined angiogram/ angioplasty/stent. Needed some melancholia to release the rarely seen man-tears. This song and others. Sobbed for two hours. And again now after successful procedure and its transformative effect. Don’t let Tories steal your NHS. Carpe.

[@sadandbeautiful]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@DaleJollySoulWarriorCristian]

God will bless You

[@russellperry1]

I was brought here by Tim Buckley, and have just watched this 6 or 7 times in a row totally entranced...

[@johnnyatab]

I wish I could say that I was there to hear this in person, because iy has to be one of the greatest live performances of all time. Her voice is perfection.

[@SkeeterNYC]

I've always loved that Liz just sang this cover track straight forward. She did it with very little vocal embellishment other than what came naturally to her. Truely a brilliant remake of Tim Buckly's original song.

[@themysticmuse1111]

I had to remind myself to breathe!

[@ninjakbly]

Yes exactly!

[@bigdallyc]

This is one of the best songs ever performed. It is haunting and poetic. And above all else... true.

[@MrMythrick]

this womans voice is amazing , made my day hearing this skilled artist !!!!!

[@jennytaylor3324]

Studio quality delivery, which IMO surpasses the official video version I discovered here on KZbin. Beautiful, faithful, emotional live performance is such a hallmark of greatness in an artist.

[@PillaBuuus]

This is one of the most haunting song that has followed me through the years. Put all the Darkness and sadness into words and you end up with this ❤️

[@tcayce6419]

Never will there be another singer like her.

[@ericarawlings2830]

A babe of 20 years sang this and brings my skin to goosebumps every time.

[@coralarch]

Good heavens, I found this by sheer fluke- never heard it before.....how beautiful!!

[@mbrackeva]

I was fortunate to see the Cocteau Twins live in Brussels back in 1990. It sort of ruined every concert I visited since then. It was hard to believe that she could actually sing like that. So brilliant...

[@danielleheart6434]

lucky!!

[@riverx1300]

awesome..i saw her 2x with cocteau twins..i will never forget the joy and i was just stunned...to this day...

[@ayanaj7373]

Mario Brackeva was that the first show you went to; if it was that's probably why it seemed the best

[@mbrackeva]

NO and NO

[@colonialstraits1069]

Mario Brackeva I had the same experience, on that tour, in Detroit (Ann Arbor). Incidentally, Galaxie 500 performed one of their final shows, on the same bill. Incredible.

[@Vinh1089]

The live version is even better! So talented.

[@carlosfandango2419]

A clear example of what you need to make incredible music - Talent!!!

[@Fazzarelli]

The greatest musical instrument mankind ever allowed itself to hear was the human voice - especially if you sound like Elizabeth Fraser. Her voice sounds like heaven whispering...

[@pashapasovski5860]

Rest are just imitations

[@marktlog]

They lyrics are just incredible. People used to write lines like "I am puzzled as the oyster I am troubled as the tide: Should I stand amid your breakers? Should I lie with death, my bride?" It's like a Shakespeare sonnet. Anybody doing that these days?

[@mikejohnson2638]

The lyrics were written by someone else, not Tim Buckley.

[@irw4350]

@@mikejohnson2638 it was written by Tim Buckley and his friend Lawrence (larry) Beckett while they were still at school - aged just 17-18

[@mikejohnson2638]

@@irw4350 The lyrics were written by Larry Beckett, the melody by Tim Buckley, deal with it man.

[@rickdeckard1075]

@@mikejohnson2638 who cares, neither of them had tits

[@craigashworth3493]

* “Well I'm as puzzled as the newborn child I'm as riddled as the tide Should I stand amid the breakers? Or should I lie with death my bride?”

[@tunapaw]

Perfect voice. I cried tears of joy when I saw her live, literally tears because it was so beautiful.

[@Mexcoatl819]

Elizabeth Frazer is a magnificent singer, I have always loved her music

[@SimonRobeyns]

fantastic live rendition.. tim buckley would've been proud in hearing this

[@kalbuzzero]

Elizabeth Frasier was good friends with Jeff Buckley, his son

[@neilcarlson661]

Can only agree, masterful cover a unique song; thank you Tim,thank you Elizabeth X.X.

[@binaprairie361]

@@kalbuzzero they were lovers I believe

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

@@kalbuzzero lol She was MORE than that, dingdong - she had an intense relationship with him for about a year. Sigh.

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

@@binaprairie361 Yes. For about a year.

[@shb8124]

There are no words for the utter beauty of Liz doing this ❤❤❤❤

[@shannondenton5176]

I never ever get tired of this song , one the most deep entrenching soulful ethereal melodies ever that took her in so many feelings . I never get tired of watching Lovely Bones either and I had already been a Mortal Coil fan. This song by sung by Mortal Coil is on my top 5 list of songs I’d have to have on a deserted island if they were the only songs I got to listen to over and over somehow on a never ending battery radio 📻

[@ShadowfinderMusic]

This is a great showcase of Liz' talent. All these below average singers nowadays that get much more attention than they really deserve - listen to this and shiver.

[@dmack1443]

I always come back to this song...it's like an addiction.

[@OKrepresent]

oh to be one of the people in this audience! One of the most emotional, haunting, beautiful songs ever performed. "Shall I stand amid the breakers, or shall I lie with Death my bride?" she is torn between going on or giving in. She aches, you can hear it in her voice, for her lover to return, to be able to hold him once more. But he is gone. She will wait, she will stand vigil, ever longing, remembering her love

[@supravista]

And her delivery of the song is as uncontrived as you can get.

[@ralphsmith538]

Still stunning as ever even in 2023

[@rudydembinski9145]

This song is so overwhelmingly beautiful. No matter how down I feel, this song and Elizabeth Fraser's voice will always bring me up.

[@gloriayaeger5462]

I don't see that anyone mentioned it was used in the movie "Those Lovely Bones" several years ago. Just haunting.

[@amethystdarkshadow8645]

Yes August 2020. This song and her voice are incredible.

[@vickisowry]

I have been musing upon this song for the past week. I (like many others I suspect) thought it was written and performed by This Mortal Coil. Imagine my delight as the fog lifted and I saw and heard(!) Tim Buckley's performance of his song on tele back in 1968. I have since come to the conclusion that Liz Frazer is the siren sung of, singing her belated, but never too late, side of the story. Tim's side is beautifully human: doubtful, joyous, singular, in thrall. In a nutshell, I can't split them - his sublime anguish, her lonely response.

[@Chandra_Moon13]

Vicki Sowry Yes! She makes this sound like a Sufi hymn. Haunting and beautiful.

[@kenmeyerjr57]

See my comment above!

[@erikverkoyen8689]

Muse on this. Liz Fraser was also Jeff Buckley's (Tim's son) girlfriend when he drowned in the Mississipi river. They did a duet together kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-zp6F_gKh9j6M

[@SamHainScott]

Search Chris Knowles, song to the siren to find out more about the wild connections.

[@SamHainScott]

She was informed of Jeff's drowning moments before entering the booth to record teardrops for massive attack

[@Downunder_Son]

I find both Tim Buckley's original and this TMC rendering incredibly moving every time I hear them, I close my eyes and let my mind run free with it. This version recreates the original's emotional intensity in such an original and creative way. Hauntingly beautiful.

[@scottymitchell6708]

I've been addicted to This Mortal Coil since I was 15yrs old in 1994!!!

[@stevesimpson6558]

Amazing song, just a bonkers history between the writer, the singer and son.

[@maxwheeler3241]

Many nights thinking things out under the silhouette of my giant oak creeping over me against the moonlight, solar lights up my Roman columns, apple crown royal, incense, this song and the cold chill=perfection

[@alanbbrady8196]

I was married to a girl who was a total car crash emotionally for reasons i won't mention. She loved Cocteau Twins. Despite being into Thrash and D Beat i eventually dug this atmospheric stuff. Its been a long time but yesterday i watched The Lovely Bones by Peter Jackson and it was a work of art but it would have been nothing without this marvellous music.

[@spencerjbbran]

Whenever I listen to this song, be it a live recording or from my copy of This Mortal Coil's It'll End In Tears album, I can feel something like electricity running through my entire body. It's supremely beautiful. Her voice is one of the most lovely sounds in the universe.

[@TheYomanda]

Simply superb...Still makes hairs on back of my neck stand up!

[@modernidiot9124]

One of a few songs that actually brings a lump to the throat.

[@josephspring88]

I can't help but always imagine that Elizabeth would be singing this song to Jeff Buckley; somehow a redemption, an apology from his father, Tim Buckley, being delivered by the compassionate kindness of the beloved Elizabeth. Just feels like it's a song of Buckleys' constant sorrow being inherited to this poor girl.

[@paulchisholm3305]

Oh yes. Hauntingly beautiful. Will be on my funeral playlist ❤

[@Bombabingbong66]

I think this is as beautiful if not even more than the original...at my age 54...it's a classic..

[@roninreturns]

I really needed this in a time of healing, once again, thank you Elizabeth.

[@Extremestoic23678]

♥29 years since first hearing this.

[@colincorcorcoran5284]

This is a top class song I must admit when I first heard this classic it reached all the right places in my heart and beyond you have got the most amazing vocal voice that a lot of singers out there would love to have that’s why we all appreciate your singing skills I love it from mr Colin Corcoran high street royal mile Edinburgh 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻

[@mrpepperman]

That voice and that guitar, those lyrics equate to goosebumps

[@scottdavison1420]

Lyrics by Larry Beckett.

[@creativitycell]

Brings tears to my eyes every time......like nothing I've ever heard or experienced emotionally from a voice/song ever. So special......we are lucky to hear such moving beauty.

[@BT-ol7cu]

I can't hear this without sobbing. Her voice is like something from another dimension.

[@migaren]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written, but the interpretation is the best of all...

[@zainularif89]

Came after The Flash Scene, her voice is deep romantic soulful, just like Enya & Anggun

[@melissagrogan1367]

Rose Betts did the flash scene

[@gartenschnecci9896]

Her voice is enchanting. Absolutely magical. And the fact that many woman would kill to have such perfect lips like her... 😍

[@RichardNorth-pr9qj]

Loved i when I first heard this 40 years ago still absolutely adore this.

[@The80shilling]

This song, Sinead O'Connor's "nothing compares," and Dire Straits "Brothers in arms," guaranteed to make me cry every single time.

[@amberhaynes9541]

Loved singing this as a teen still do now Her and Buckleys All flowers in time is a beauty too ♡

[@davidspearman7177]

Goosebumps - I adore this song, but this version is sublime

[@wendymason5493]

Oohh!!yes!!!still ssooo beautiful in 2024!!what a beautiful voice,what a beautiful guitar sound,what reverb.❤

[@SwingYouthUk]

Always...always brings joy but with a tear

[@formhubfar]

Some songs just stir the soul and this is one of them.

[@tracybarrington9498]

Beautiful. I never tire listening to this.

[@bansheebandithot350]

What a song god me why haven’t I herd this before shivers tears in my eyes .. why..unbelievable so emotional.bloody hell . A proper song absolutely beautiful

[@michaelwalsh7941]

I was fortunate to be able to stand at Irving Plaza watching the Cockteau Twins play two hours of amazing, almost surreal music. Elizabeth said, 'Im a mess without friends '. I have been fortunate in my life to have seen many performances, but Cockteau Twins still rein number one. Im almost fifty and I still listen on vinyl. Thank you.

[@sandyhall1782]

for me is one of the bet songs ever

[@clairegibbons7805]

Was included in the soundtrack for "The Lovely Bones"

[@driprubies2464]

Not a song, but a spell that has hunted many for years.... me as well!!

[@busawulf]

Tim Buckley's Starsailor LP version is still my personal no.1,but of ALL the live performances THIS sets the standard,imho. Quite stunning.

[@texanperry]

One of the most beautifully arranged pieces of music combined with one of the most beautiful voices to ever sing. It’s such a special gift to hear this.

[@alisonfrost7151]

Best song best singer Elisabeth Frazer wow ,went to see them in London live in the 80's I will never forget her singing this song,still gives me goosebumps .

[@sansarinye]

Beautiful version. The Goth kids loved This Mortal Coil

[@ellalal3405]

Stand out performance. Sublime understated

[@connellodonovan3956]

I've listened to the album version thousands of times, and think it's the most beautiful song in the world. Just found this live version last night and my whirled is rawked.

[@alishamackay1983]

This is the most lovely song ever. They used this on the film lovely bones it was heartbreaking x