Artist Playlists
- After forming in 1976, The Cure bridged the gap between post-punk and New Wave and attracted a huge fanbase in the process. They applied their gothic touch to everything from jazz to funk to power pop and developed an anthemic sound that crescendoed with 1989's Disintegration and led to mainstream U.S. success with 1993's Wish while influencing bands as varied as Mogwai, My Chemical Romance and Neon Trees.
- When Robert Smith formed The Cure in 1976, punk was just starting and goth was yet to be discovered. But soon Smith and his compatriots would play a big part in uncovering the wonderfully gloomy new genre. Blending initial influences like Jimi Hendrix (whom they covered on their first album), Pink Floyd, and Brian Eno with a whole lot of black eyeliner, darkwave was about to be born.
- The Cure's songs are defined by the worried sincerity of Robert Smith's voice, whether framed by the scratchy New Wave of their late ‘70s youth or the delicate, giddy gothic pop of their ‘80s pomp. It's such a singular sound, even his classic rock covers and vocal collaborations with artists like Crystal Castles and Blink-182 end up sounding just like The Cure.
- The Cure perfected the art of seductive pop hooks and painted it in every shade of black. It's a sound that would turn more somber and sinister in the hands of their followers: Interpol sharpen their moody romanticism with razor-edged post-punk and Tricky lets it slowly, slyly permeate his titillating trip-hop, while Deftones and A Perfect Circle pump it up with raging metal riffs.
- Listen to the hits performed on their blockbuster tour.
- Grab the mic and sing along with some of their biggest hits.