The Cure: Did You Know?

Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Stories About The Cure

The Cure is one of the most influential and enduring bands to come out of the post-punk and new wave scenes of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known for their brooding, gothic sound as well as their more pop-oriented hits, they’ve become icons in the alternative music world. With Robert Smith’s unmistakable voice, trademark look, and the band’s genre-defying style, The Cure has influenced countless artists across various genres. While many fans are familiar with hits like “Just Like Heaven” and “Friday I’m in Love,” there are several untold stories and lesser-known facts about the band. Let’s dive into some fascinating insights about The Cure.

1. Robert Smith Didn’t Want to Be a Frontman

It’s hard to imagine The Cure without Robert Smith as the lead singer and face of the band, but when The Cure first formed, Smith wasn’t eager to be the frontman. In the band's early years, Smith saw himself more as a guitarist and had reservations about becoming the lead vocalist. He initially intended to find someone else to handle singing duties, but as the band evolved, Smith took on the role and, over time, became one of the most iconic frontmen in alternative music history.

2. Their First Hit Was Almost Never Released

One of The Cure’s earliest hits, “Boys Don’t Cry,” which became a signature song for the band, was almost never released. The band’s debut album, Three Imaginary Boys (1979), featured more experimental tracks, and “Boys Don’t Cry” was originally left off the record. However, after the song was released as a single in 1980, it became one of their most popular songs and helped The Cure gain widespread attention. The success of “Boys Don’t Cry” pushed the band toward more accessible and melodic material without sacrificing their darker, introspective side.

3. “Lullaby” Was Inspired by Childhood Nightmares

The haunting track “Lullaby” from their 1989 album Disintegration is one of The Cure’s most chilling songs, but the inspiration behind it comes from a very personal place. Robert Smith has said that the song was inspired by terrifying bedtime stories his father used to tell him when he was a child. These creepy tales often involved spiders and sinister creatures, which later manifested in the lyrics of “Lullaby,” where Smith sings about being eaten alive by a spider. The song’s eerie atmosphere and surreal music video turned it into a classic.

4. They Were Almost a Punk Band

While The Cure is widely associated with goth, new wave, and post-punk, their early sound was heavily influenced by the punk movement. When The Cure first formed as Easy Cure in 1976, they had a much rawer, punk-influenced sound. However, as punk began to wane and new wave/post-punk styles emerged, Robert Smith steered the band in a different direction. The transition allowed them to blend elements of punk's energy with darker, more atmospheric sounds, creating the unique style they became famous for.

5. “Just Like Heaven” Was Written About a Romantic Trip

“Just Like Heaven,” one of The Cure’s most beloved songs, was inspired by a trip Robert Smith took with his future wife, Mary Poole, to the cliffs of Beachy Head in southern England. The song captures the joy and euphoria of being in love, making it one of the band’s more upbeat and accessible tracks. Smith has said that the song’s lyrics reflect the giddiness and intensity of being in love, and its dreamy, romantic feel has helped it endure as one of The Cure’s biggest hits.

6. Robert Smith Appeared on South Park

In a surprising pop culture crossover, Robert Smith made a guest appearance on an episode of South Park in 1998. The episode, titled “Mecha-Streisand,” features Smith battling a giant, mechanical version of Barbra Streisand to save the town of South Park. In true South Park fashion, the episode is bizarre and hilarious, with Smith transforming into a giant moth to defeat the villain. The appearance further cemented Smith’s status as an alternative icon with a sense of humor, willing to embrace the weird and unexpected.

7. Their Gothic Image Wasn’t Always the Plan

The Cure is often credited with helping to define the “gothic” aesthetic with Robert Smith’s wild hair, smudged eyeliner, and dark clothing, but this wasn’t always the band’s intended look. Early in their career, they had a more understated appearance, dressing in typical punk/new wave fashion. It wasn’t until the early 1980s, as their music became darker and more atmospheric, that Smith began to embrace his now-iconic goth look. His image became an inseparable part of The Cure’s identity, helping to establish them as pioneers of goth culture.

8. They Hold the Record for the Longest Headlining Set at a Festival

The Cure has a reputation for delivering long, epic live performances, but they made history at the 2013 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival when they played the longest headlining set in festival history. The band’s performance lasted nearly four hours, with a 38-song setlist that spanned their entire career. Known for giving their fans an immersive live experience, The Cure has often played marathon sets at concerts and festivals, proving their dedication to their audience.

9. Robert Smith’s Collaboration with Siouxsie and the Banshees

In addition to his work with The Cure, Robert Smith briefly joined Siouxsie and the Banshees as their guitarist. He originally filled in as a temporary replacement on their 1979 tour but later returned in the early 1980s to contribute to their albums “Hyaena” and “Nocturne.” Smith’s involvement with Siouxsie and the Banshees further solidified his standing in the gothic rock and post-punk scenes, and his guitar work during this period remains highly regarded by fans.

10. “Friday I’m in Love” Was a Surprise Hit

Despite the band’s darker image and sound, one of The Cure’s biggest hits is the upbeat, infectious “Friday I’m in Love,” released in 1992. Ironically, Robert Smith initially thought the song was “too pop” and almost didn’t release it. He worried that it didn’t fit with the rest of The Cure’s catalog, but the band decided to go forward with it. The song became a massive success, reaching audiences who hadn’t previously connected with The Cure’s music. Its lighthearted, carefree vibe offered a stark contrast to the band’s more somber work, and it remains one of their most recognizable tracks.

The Cure has built a legacy on blending genres, defying expectations, and evolving their sound while maintaining their distinct identity. From their gothic beginnings to their mainstream success, the band has remained a beloved and influential force in the music world. Whether through their iconic look, heartfelt lyrics, or experimental sounds, The Cure continues to captivate fans old and new, leaving a lasting mark on alternative music history. One of The Cure’s most meaningful lyrics comes from their song “Pictures of You”:

"If only I'd thought of the right words, I could have held on to your heart. If only I'd thought of the right words, I wouldn't be breaking apart."

This lyric captures the deep feelings of regret, longing, and emotional vulnerability that resonate throughout much of The Cure's music. It reflects the human desire to find the perfect words to express love and connection, and the heartbreak that comes when those words remain unspoken or come too late. The combination of Robert Smith's haunting delivery and the poignant emotion behind these lines has made "Pictures of You" one of the band's most cherished songs.