Years ago, in a land far far away a friend of mine phoned me one summer evening to ask me in what language Liz Frazer, the vocalist of Scottish dreampop band The Cocteau Twins was singing.

It turned out that he was having a discussion with a girl he’d just met (I think) about the admittedly rather mysterious and ephemeral warbling of La Frazer. He told me the girl maintained it was a Celtic language of some description.

I was happy to help out and suggest that it wasn’t any existing language per se at all. It’s more of an emotional soundscape that reaches far beyond ‘normal’ words or lyrics.

I just found this clip and while watching the first few notes I dreaded the moment where this cover version might launch into vocals.

I suppose the concept of vocals without literal meaning is just too alien to some people.

"Heaven or Las Vegas" Most accurate lyrics + discussion
byu/Narwhalbaconguy incocteautwins

I’m not sure whether my friend managed to convince that lass. All I know is I still love this music, this voice and don’t mind the ultra-personal lyrics or lack there-of one bit..