Most people are familiar with The Cure through songs like "Friday, I'm in Love", "Pictures of You" or "Let's go to Bed". Some have images of Robert Smith with his "clown-like" make up and big hair. However, there is more to this band than just smeary lipstick and a few songs. Described loosely as Goth music, many non-listeners may be put off by the bands persona, and have not taken time to listen to the music. Robert is very poetic and many songs would surprise you. I encourage you to listen to some of these, a sampling of my favorite songs by The Cure.
Photo from Wikimedia.
Plainsong
This is the opening tract on The Cures 1989 release, Disintegration. The song begins with a slower melody and builds to Robert singing and echoing strange lyrics of desperation. In my opinion the song somewhat sounds like an ending, which makes it odd that it would be the first track, but to me it also sounds hopeful, like a way of working through a situation. This is my favorite song because of the intricate beauty of the words and music. At a 2000 concert in Detroit where they played this song, the lighters where held high and there was not a dry eye in the house.
High
This song has a clever play with the arrangement of the lyrics. Where most people would say "high as a kite", Robert says "sky as a kite", thus skirting around the obvious to make the point. This trick he plays on the listener several times throughout the song, in different references, making it a playful tune well worth listening to. This song is originally on their "Wish" CD. I would definitely encourage people who have not experienced The Cure, and whom may be turned off by "dark" music to give this happy little song a listen.
Lullaby
This song recaptures a dream that Robert had as a child. If the music seems oddly familiar, it is because it brilliantly resembles a ticking clock without being obvious about this. The lyrics are surreal, reminiscent of a seductive horror movie. Roberts delivery of the lyrics with a forceful whisper add even more mystique to the song. It is an eerie song to say the least, about a archetypal fear shared by many people. That fear being spiders. The melody is somewhat soothing and reflects the sleepy time nature of dreams.
Primary
While this song does not have a familiar The Cure sound to it, I have included it because of the lyrics. The music is typical 80's new wave. At the time the sound was cutting edge and emulated by other bands. The songs is an early example of Roberts skill with words.
Just Like Heaven
A song that takes us from the delirious beginnings of a relationship to a puzzling end. A classic example of what happens when one person looses sight of the work involved in loving someone and then is bewildered when its over. The music is charming and the imagery is wonderfully captivating. If you don't listen to the words you wouldn't even be aware of the tragic ending to this song. With brilliant lyrics Robert has again laid out a story in a song that will entertain your mind.
The Same Deep Water as You
A darker song with compelling music. Robert paints a picture with words, I feel he refers to the problems of being in a relationship with a potentially emotionally unstable individual. This is a rather long song, but I believe it is intellectually one of their strongest.
Mint Car
A more upbeat song about being in a wonderful relationship. Most people will think the title of this song is "Kiss me quick", but they wrong. At times people think The Cure is about dark, sad songs, but this song proves that Robert can write some of the most fun, happy songs. I challenge you to find such a happy song, by a band noted for a guy with smeary lipstick and big hair. I don't think you will be able to. While this song is the last on my list, it might be the first one you want to sample if you are not at all familiar with this band.
