"Tishbite" is a single by Scottish band

Cocteau Twins Cocteau Twins were a Scottish rock music, rock band active from 1979 to 1997. They were formed in Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth by Robin Guthrie (guitars, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass), adding Elizabeth Fraser (vocals) in 1981. In 19 ...

. It was released by

Fontana Records Fontana Records is a record label that started in the 1950s as a subsidiary of the Dutch Philips Records. Fontana Distribution, an independent label distributor, takes its name from the label. History Fontana began in the 1950s as a subsidi ...

in March 1996. It was the first single to be released from the UK top-20 album '' Milk & Kisses'', the eighth and final long-play release from the band. The title of the song is an epithet of the prophet

Elijah Elijah ( ) or Elias was a prophet and miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab (9th century BC), according to the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worsh ...

Background and release

Five tracks were released across two CDs. It was the band's first multi-disc single and peaked at number 34 on the UK Singles Chart. In the bands native Scotland, it reached a peak of #29 on the

Scottish Singles Chart The Scottish Albums Chart is a chart compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC) which is based on how physical and digital sales towards the UK Albums Chart fare in Scotland. The official singles chart for Scotland, the Scottish Singles Chart, ...

, becoming their only appearance on the singles chart in Scotland. Upon the release of the track, it received favourable radio airplay, particularly across Europe. In the United Kingdom, it was serviced to

BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...

where it was added to the stations C-list radio playlist. In other countries, including the Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and Poland, "Tishbite" made regular appearances on national radio broadcasting stations and enjoyed favourable airplay. In Poland, the track was considered a "power play" track on the Polish radio broadcasting station Radio Manhattan.

Recording and composition

"Tishbite" is described as a "hushed ballad that explores the often blurred lines between the real and imaginary dimensions of love". Recorded during the recording sessions of ''Milk and Kisses'' between 1995 and 1996, the song was written and recorded during a turbulent period for the band and in particular band members Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie who were both suffering a breakdown in their relationship.

Track listing

All tracks are written by

CD: Fontana / CTCD5 (UK)

# "Tishbite" – 3:13 # "Primitive Heart" – 4:08 # "Flock of Soul" – 3:37

CD: Fontana / CTDD5 (UK)

# "Tishbite" – 3:13 # "Round" – 3:34 # "An Elan" – 4:37

Performers

Robin Guthrie Robin Andrew Guthrie (born 4 January 1962) is a Scottish musician, songwriter, composer, record producer and audio engineer, best known as the co-founder of the post punk alternative rock band Cocteau Twins. During his career Guthrie has ...

Elizabeth Fraser Elizabeth Davidson Fraser (born 29 August 1963) is a Scottish singer. She was the vocalist for the band Cocteau Twins, who achieved success in the UK from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. Their studio albums '' Victorialand'' (1986) and '' H ...

Simon Raymonde Simon Philip Raymonde (born 3 April 1962) is an English musician and record producer. He is the son of the late arranger and composer Ivor Raymonde. He is best known as the bass guitarist and keyboard player with the Scottish band Cocteau Twins ...

Charts

References

External links

Cocteau Twins.com discography

{{Authority control 1996 singles Cocteau Twins songs 1996 songs Fontana Records singles