The UK-based rock band has been on the scenes for decades, having started in 1978. Their discography consists of 13 studio albums, and narrowing it down to a top ten with these British punks is going to be quite hard. Here’s our top 10 pick, you may even want to listen along to the songs on the Spotify playlist linked below. Let’s get started!
10 Best Songs by The Cure
10. Friday I’m In love – Wish (1992)
This is a song everyone surely knows even if they don’t know who The Cure are. The melody sounds familiar even if you’ve never heard the song. Even Robert Smith when writing this song thought that he stole the melody from somebody, which sent him down a paranoia spiral.
The beat is a happy upbeat one that gets you on your feet dancing.
9. Close To Me – The Head On The Door (1985)
This is another of the few of the bands’ songs that tries to manifest more fans and jump into the mainstream, it’s also a rare happier song by the boys . . . well, as happy as a goth song can get!
8. Boys Don’t Cry – The Imaginary Boys (1979)
Boys do cry and I would like to think we have come a long way since the time when men couldn’t cry because it isn’t ”manly”. If you’re suffering for a heartache at least you can get up your feet and try to dance it away with this playful song.
7. Charlotte Sometimes – Single (1981)
Now this one has a proper sombre goth sound to it. The song was inspired by a book of the same name written by Penelope Farmer.
6. Just Like Heaven – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)
A timeless romantic love song that may carry you into a nostalgic memory of a summer love lost long ago. Robert Smith said “the song is about hyperventilating—kissing and fainting to the floor.”
5. Lullaby – Disintegration (1989)
Soft almost whispering almost spoken word like singing accomponied by a catchy guitar riff and drums that make you wanna drum along with your pen. It even has moments where violins carry the song into another world.
4. Pictures Of You – Disintegration (1990)
Such a sad and romantic tune. Robert Smith is a poet who truly knows his way around words. As the fires keep spreading across Europe in this summer heat, the story behind the inspiration for this song hits even closer to home.
There was a fire in Mr Smith’s home and looking across the remains he found a wallet with a photograph of his wife Mary, whom he has been with since the age of fourteen. Miss Mary must be delighted to be a muse for so many incredible songs of his.
The music video was directed by Tim Pope, who directed many of The Cure’s videos and is very much responsible for their rather ‘strange’ image.
3. Lovesong – Disintegration (1989)
Typical upbeat, this is The Cure song that perfectly demonstrates Robert Smith’s almost on the edge of tears type of voice. Listening to it, your mind may wander off to that special someone in your life, who gets you up on your feet to perform a dramatic dance sequence, like the ones we see in the movies. You are the main character in your life and this song is your lovesick soundtrack.
2. A Forest – Seventeen Seconds (1980)
Now, this is the song that got me personally into The Cure. For me, it carries a nostalgic teenage feeling. Ironically, I was just seventeen upon discovering this song from the album Seventeen Seconds, though for me my seventeen felt like an eternity. Starting out slow with the memorable guitar riff which is a guitar beginners favourite, joined by the rhythmic drums and bass that get you moving. You will definitely hear it in an alternative club, bringing out all the goths on the floor.
1. Burn – The Crow Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1994)
If you’re not familiar with the 1994 The Crow movie, you are missing out on a masterpiece. Burn being the soundtrack to the film and used in one of the most important moments in the film, it is the song that introduced many to the band. The melody may still haunt many today.
It is not only the song itself that is haunting. The lead actor Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, died on the set of The Crow, he never saw the finished piece. It was his first and last film, giving an impeccable performance as Eric Draven. A truly hauntingly beautiful song that just may end up on your favorite playlist.
Best Songs by The Cure – Final Thoughts
Do you disagree with our list? If so, we’re not surprised! This band have released so many brilliant songs that it’s easy to have a completely different top 10. Whether you agree or not, we hope you enjoyed a look back at this amazing band.
“File: The Cure Live in Singapore 2- 1st August 2007.jpg” by momento mori from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is licensed under CC BY 2.0.