The Cure Songs Ranked
The Cure is an English pop-rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band members have changed several times, with guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith the only constant member. The band’s debut album was Three Imaginary Boys (1979) and this, along with several early singles, placed the band in the post-punk and new wave movements that had sprung up in the wake of the punk rock revolution in the United Kingdom. Beginning with their second album, Seventeen Seconds (1980), the band adopted a new, increasingly dark and tormented style, which, together with Smith’s stage look, had a strong influence on the emerging genre of gothic rock as well as the subculture that eventually formed around the genre. Following the release of the album Pornography in 1982, the band’s future was uncertain. Smith was keen to move past the gloomy reputation his band had acquired, introducing a greater pop sensibility into the band’s music. Songs such as “Let’s Go to Bed” (1982), “Close To Me” (1985), “Just Like Heaven” (1987), “Lovesong” (1989), and “Friday I’m in Love” (1992) aided the band in receiving commercial popularity. The band has released 13 studio albums, two EPs, and over 30 singles to date. Here are all The Cure songs ranked.
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20. Fire in Cairo (Verschwende Deine Jugend, 1980)
“Absolutely beautiful song. The way it rises and falls – that haunting guitar riff. Very underrated Cure song. An epic. Absolutely beautiful song. The way it rises and falls – that haunting guitar riff.”
19. Burn (The Crow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, 1994)
“My introduction to The Cure. Love The Crow as a kid and always loved this song but didn’t really get into the rest of The Cure until a couple of years ago. Incredible band. Just the best. Immortal song, as Brandon Lee’s talent. Very emotional, I really love that song.”
18. A Letter to Elise (Wish, 1992)
“This song is genius, you can really feel the emotions stirring in the song and personally, this is my favorite. Fantastic. Great emotion, lovely guitar. Works really well. Not the best – but top 5 for me”
17. The Walk (Japanese Whispers 1983)
“The Walk, 100%. Arguably not Cure’s best but it deserves my vote. Pure ecstasy and resembles the post-punk new wave surge through the 80s very well”
See more: The Cure Albums Ranked
16. 10:15 Saturday Night (Boys Don’t Cry, 1980)
“Oddly wonderful. Reminds me of one of my favorite poets, William Carlos Williams. Awesome song on a Saturday night! with whiskey in hand. This is one of those ‘listen to the notes that aren’t played’ tunes. so restrained and perfectly eerie, but still rocks out.”
15. Maybe Someday (Bloodflowers, 2000)
“To me it’s one of the most beautiful songs from the Cure! It’s a deep melancholic song that you want to keep in your heart as a memory too. Completely grabs your soul when listening, does what art and music should do, puts your mind in a transcendental state”
14. Disintegration (Disintegration, 1989)
“Simply the most well constructed song of all time. Arguably of course. Robert goes to the deepest depths of what heartbreak is truly about, in a manner with poetically and painfully woven verses, that will either destroy you with how you might relate, or seduce you with the almost epic, elegant, and somewhat fast paced guitar rhythm. Surely, this is The Cure’s most underrated song, and one of the world’s most moving pieces that will literally take you back to the scars of your past.”
13. Why Can’t I Be You? (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, 1987)
“One of the greatest songs of all time, never mind one of the best cure songs. Poetic heartbreaking lyrics, great rhythm section, and incredible guitar textures.”
12. The Caterpillar (The Top, 1984)
“So dark and full of feelings. Seems like Robert is really suffering. Beautiful and poetic lyrics. One of the greatest songs of all time, never mind one of the best cure songs. Poetic heartbreaking lyrics, great rhythm section, and incredible guitar textures.”
11. Fascination Street (Disintegration, 1989)
“This is by far the best song the cure ever released! It is phenomenal! The bass is in it mind-blowing! Breathtaking lyrics, truly just a mesmerizing song! I like the energy it has without sounding so poppy-like Friday I’m in love. Nice guitar and bass lines.”
10. Close to Me (The Head on the Door, 1985)
“It has a nice, cheery, minimalist vibe. It for some reason gives me nostalgia for the show Adventure Time, because of the synth and that catchy xylophone riff sounds like it came straight from the background of it”
9. The Lovecats (Japanese Whispers, 1983)
“Heard this song on “The History of New Music” for the first time years ago. My favorite by far. I was addicted to this song for years! I love the lusty verbiage. A great song, very distinctive it reminds me of alley cats.”
8. In Between Days (The Head on the Door, 1985)
“Wonderful song, awesome lyrics. Watch the video Korn ft. The Cure “Make me bad, In between Days” – MTV Unplugged. This is the song that got me into The Cure, and it’s still one of my all-time favorites – an absolute classic!”
7. A Forest (Seventeen Seconds, 1980)
“I know others are more popular, but this song should be in the top 2 or 3 cure songs. It’s my favorite cure song by far. The lyrics speak of longing and loss (shocker! ) and the music fits the lyrics perfectly. Really, really great song.”
See more: Siouxsie & the Banshees Albums Ranked
6. Pictures of You (Disintegration, 1989)
“One of the most gorgeous songs I’ve ever heard. Something about it teleports you to another dimension every time without fail. The guitar riffs in the intro (and throughout) are crazy euphoric. The constant rhythm led by the drums drives the song forward relentlessly.”
5. Boys Don’t Cry (Boys Don’t Cry, 1980)
“This is the best! This is not one of the greatest songs by the cure and one of the greatest songs of all time! I love this song, it makes me cry and smile at the same time. Such a well-written song and it’s definitely in my top 3 favorites.”
4. Lullaby (Disintegration, 1989)
“Mesmerizing Cure song kinda creepy sounding great crisp-sounding production on the song as well. Love this song. Perfect vocal… The music is outstanding… Couldn’t ask for more. Absolutely a drug! Really nice to get high with this song!”
3. Friday I’m in Love (Wish, 1992)
“This is a work of genius. The complex layering, musical density and beautiful melody combined with Robert Smith’s voice have created an astonishing work of art that makes virtually all other rock and pop offerings sound thin by comparison.”
2. Lovesong (Disintegration, 1989)
“This song has the best lyrics, and the keyboard is really chilling. I think it is Robert Smith’s songwriting at its best. He wrote it as a wedding gift for his wife. This is one of those songs that should never be covered, because no cover is ever going to be close to the original. I love THE CURE!”
1. Just Like Heaven (Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, 1987)
“This song best exemplifies what is really The Cure. I used to make my high school boring routine homeworks on The Cure and I remember this song would give the last boost to finish them!”
