Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
In 1985, The Cure released their biggest pop record. They spent the rest of their careers trying not to do it again
The Cure’s 1985 album *The Head on the Door* brought the band wider attention, particularly in the United States, through accessible singles such as ‘In Between Days’ and ‘Close to Me’. Frontman Robert Smith resisted pressure to repeat that pop-focused approach, arguing that the band’s success should not dictate its next artistic direction.
The follow-up, *Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me*, ranged from the exuberant ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’ to darker songs including ‘The Snakepit’ and ‘Fight’. Smith said the band ignored record-company suggestions, including using an American mix engineer, and wanted to preserve The Cure’s varied sound. He saw the broader audience gained through pop songs as an opportunity to introduce listeners to less cheerful or more unconventional music.
In short
- *The Head on the Door* expanded The Cure’s audience.
- Robert Smith resisted repeating its pop formula.
- The follow-up embraced both bright and darker moods.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A band’s success should not oblige it to repeat a sound that its members no longer find creatively compelling. By keeping The Cure’s music varied and following *The Head on the Door* with a more eclectic album, Robert Smith could protect the group’s artistic independence and use its new audience to share less conventional work.
The case against
A successful album gives a band a chance to build on what listeners have embraced, and a more consistent pop direction might have strengthened that connection. Record-company advice about production or mixing could also be seen as practical support for reaching a wider audience, rather than an attempt to dictate the band’s identity.
Explained simply
The Cure are a British band formed in the late 1970s, with Robert Smith as their singer and principal songwriter. Their music has ranged from concise pop songs to darker, more atmospheric material, and their sound has changed from album to album.
A successful pop single can bring a band new listeners, while also creating expectations about what it should make next. Record companies may encourage artists to repeat the sound that has sold well, but musicians can choose to take their music in a different direction.