The Cure Archives - Medialoper

Album: Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me
Year: 1987

If The Cure’s reputation was based in part upon the massive gothic movement spearheaded by Joy Division (which is a totally reductive thing to say), then some of my favorite Cure songs were based upon the dancey guitar music created by New Order.

Which is also pretty reductive thing to say, but the fact is that two of my all-time favorite Cure songs are what I call The Cure’s New Order songs: “In Between Days” (which I didn’t write about because I really didn’t have much to say beyond this New Order thing) and of course, “Just Like Heaven.” One time is an experiment, but two times is a concept.

Album: The Head on The Door
Year: 1985

Even at my mid-20s gloomiest, I never fully bought into Robert Smith’s persona. And while I could tell that he was a pretty great — and eclectic as hell — maker of radio-friendly pop songs, I never really got past enjoying them on the radio.

So I was neither surprised, offended or cheered when The Cure became gigantic international superstars on the back of Smith’s outsized goth persona and right-sized songwriting acumen. Even in the 80s, the audience was already fragmenting, I could respect the hell out of what he did without ever fully loving it except for a song here and a song there.

The Cure

Certain Songs #262: The Cure – “Just Like Heaven”

Certain Songs #261: The Cure – “Push”