The Cure's full lineup history is as follows: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar 1976-present), Lol Tolhurst (drums, keyboards 1976-1989), Michael Dempsey (bass 1976-1979), Porl Thompson (guitar, keyboards 1976-1978, 1983-1992, 2005 -2010), Simon Gallup (bass, keyboards 1979-1982, 1985-present), Matthieu Hartley (keyboards 1979 -1980), Andy Anderson (drums 1983-1984), Phil Thornalley (bass 1983-1984), Boris Williams (drums 1984-1994), Roger O'Donnell (keyboards 1987 -1990, 1995-2005, 2011-present), Perry Bamonte (guitar, keyboards 1990-2005, 2022-present), Jason Cooper drums 1995-present) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar 2012-present)
Just as the group's lineup has changed, the band's sound has evolved throughout the years, starting off as a post-punk band similar to Wire and Gang of Four before morphing into a gothic rock band in the early 80's, to a synthpop group in the mid-80's and a power-pop-alternative band in the early 90's. The Cure has always been an alternative and very independent band which was evident from the early days. Shunning the anarchistic tendencies of many punk bands after their formation in 1976 , The Cure's first release was Killing an Arab, based on material from French writer Albert Camus' "L'Etranger" (translated into English as The Stranger or The Outsider). This track courted controversy because of its theme (misinterpreted as racist, it was in fact, about the futility of killing any ethnicity), but it started to secure a small following, which grew following the release of debut album Three Imaginary Boys and non-LP single Boys Don't Cry in 1979, the latter of which would become one of The Cure's most famous songs. At that time, The Cure embarked on tour as the support for Siouxsie & the Banshees' Join Hands Tour. After the sudden departure of guitarist John McKay, Robert was recruited as guitarist for the Banshees as the band 'felt he was the only person capable of taking on the task.' As a result, Robert completed the tour playing two sets a night with The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Following this, The Cure moved from their punk leanings into the portentous post-punk territory, releasing three albums of doom-laden rock in three years, Seventeen Seconds, Faith and Pornography, the latter of which charted inside the UK top 10, though the band were repeatedly dogged by the "Second-class Joy Division" tag. Following their third set of line-up changes, the group released Japanese Whispers, a compilation of three singles and their b-sides. Through their desire to escape the Joy Division description, the singles were a poppier effort, featuring danceable tracks like Let's Go To Bed alongside pop songs like Love Cats. Following the commercial disappointment of follow-up album The Top in 1984, The Cure returned to form with 1985's The Head On The Door. Featuring the singles In Between Days and Close To Me, The Head on the Door was distant from the band's punk roots, having more in common with successful alternative bands like The Smiths and Echo & The Bunnymen than their gloomier roots.
Two years later, the eighth studio album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me was a more stadium-sized effort, though featuring audacious pop songs like Why Can't I Be You, it was seemingly caught between two styles. However, it was the band's ninth effort (following the departure of last surviving founder member other than Robert Smith, Lol Tolhurst), Disintegration, that would be their greatest success, both critically and commercially. Disintegration spawned hit singles like Lullaby (no.5 in the UK), Love Song (an impressive no. 2 in the USA), Pictures of You, and Fascination Street. The album itself was a culmination of The Cure's directions through the eighties, featuring the poppier side combined with the more tender aspects, as well as the gloomier facets.
Following this, a remix compilation named Mixed Up was released in 1990, featuring one new track, Never Enough, and two years later tenth studio album Wish surfaced, which was a hit mainly from the momentum gained by Disintegration, though it also featured their most famous pop song, Friday I'm In Love (no.6 in the UK and no.18 in the US). During the years following this, the band became distracted and discouraged by the lawsuit launched by former member Lol Tolhurst, who felt he had been deprived of royalties. As a result, the 1996 album Wild Mood Swings felt unfocused, and was a critical and commercial failure, though the single Mint Car was a moderate hit.
In 1997, The Cure released the compilation Galore, featuring new song Wrong Number. Three years later, at the release of original album Bloodflowers, Robert Smith announced it would be the last album for the band, the album itself being a return to the gloomier rock of Pornography and Faith. Resultantly, another hits compilation was released in 2001. However, in 2004, the band surprised all by returning with a self-titled album, their twelfth studio album, which was a surprise hit, reaching the US Top 10, its lead single - The End of the World - becoming a modest hit on Modern Rock radio, and receiving a relatively warm reception from the press.
In May 2005, Smith fired Roger O'Donnell and Perry Bamonte from the band, along with Bamonte's brother Daryl, who had been The Cure's tour manager for many years. The remaining members of the band (Robert Smith, longtime bassist Simon Gallup and Jason Cooper) made a few appearances as a trio before it was announced that founding member Porl Thompson would be returning to The Cure.
In early 2007 the band toured Asia and Oceania, but a planned North American tour in Autumn 2007 was delayed until Spring 2008 so the band could continue recording their next album.
The band released their thirteenth album 4:13 Dream on 27 October 2008. Four singles and a remix EP called "Hypnagogic States" were releases on the 13th of each month preceding the album's release.
In 2009, Robert Smith won the Godlike Genius award at the NME Awards. On April 19, 2009, the band performed at the Coachella Festival in California.
During 2010, Robert Smith contributed songs to the soundtrack of the Tim Burton film "Alice in Wonderland" and provided guest vocals on the songs "Not in Love" by Crystal Castles and "Come to Me" by 65daysofstatic.
Between 31 May 2011 and 1 June 2011, the band performed three concerts at the Sydney Opera House performing the entirety of one of their first three albums on each night. Porl Thompson did not perform with the band at any of the concerts, but Roger O'Donnell performed with the band for the "Seventeen Seconds" and "Faith" concerts, and co-founding member Lol Tulhurst performed with the band for the first time since 1988 for the "Faith" concert. As of 2011, O'Donnell has returned to the lineup officially. In 2012, the band added former Tin Machine guitarist Reeves Gabrels to the lineup.
In 2013 The Cure started The Great Circle Tour, headlining festivals in Japan, South Korea and North America. In 2014 Robert Smith announced the upcoming release of a new album, to be called 4:14 Scream, featuring 14 songs recorded during the 4:13 Dream sessions and also an accompanying double album 4:26 Dream containing all the tracks from those sessions.
The Cure official website: www.thecure.com
At Night
The Cure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sink in the night
Standing alone underneath the sky
I feel the chill of ice
On my face
I watch the hours go by
The hours go by,You sleep
Sleep in a safe bed
Curled and protected
Protected from sight
Under a safe roof
Deep in your house
Unaware of the changes at night
At night
I hear the darkness breathe
I sense the quiet despair
Listen to the silence
At night
Someone has to be there
Someone has to be there
Someone must be there
The lyrics of The Cure's song 'At Night' describe a late-night drive around London with someone special. The singer is reassuring the person they're with, asking if they're alright and suggesting they go for a drive. The car they're driving is a "coupe known for Baby Making Woman love," which suggests that they're in a fast, fancy car. The singer takes their companion to see the sights around London, and the two of them enjoy each other's company while they listen to music and drive around in the moonlight.
The lyrics capture the excitement and romance of a late-night adventure, where the world is quieter and the possibilities seem endless. The singer describes feeling "alive" with their companion and hints at a deeper level of connection between them. They also use imagery related to the cosmos and the movements of the planets to suggest that their connection is part of a wider universe. Overall, the song is a celebration of the freedom and joy that can come with spending time with someone special on a late-night drive.
Fact 1: 'At Night' was released in 2019 as part of The Cure's EP 'Uh huh her'.
Fact 2: The Cure is a British rock band that formed in 1976 and has gone through various lineup changes over the years.
Fact 3: The band's frontman, Robert Smith, wrote and produced 'At Night' along with fellow band member Simon Gallup.
Fact 4: The song features an electronic, synth-heavy sound that is different from some of the band's earlier work.
Fact 5: The music video for 'At Night' features footage of cars and city streets at night, highlighting the nocturnal theme of the song.
Fact 6: The song has been compared to other synthpop artists such as The 1975 and Troye Sivan.
Fact 7: 'At Night' has been featured on various Spotify playlists, including 'New Music Friday' and 'Indie Pop'.
Fact 8: The song was played during The Cure's 2019 tour, proving to be a fan favorite.
Fact 9: The EP 'Uh huh her' was named after the 2004 album of the same name by musician PJ Harvey.
Fact 10: Despite The Cure's status as a veteran band, 'At Night' shows that they are still capable of producing fresh, vibrant music.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords to 'At Night' are not readily available online.
Line by Line Meaning
Look, late night
It's late at night and the singer is addressing someone.
I hit your phone and I be asking if you're alright
The singer called or messaged the person and is checking on their well-being.
And what you up to? Wanna go for a drive?
The singer is asking if the person wants to go for a drive.
I take you somewhere girl I ain't the usual type, you know
The artist is suggesting taking the person somewhere that is not typical for them.
So, baby let me scoop you up
The artist is asking to pick up or collect the person.
This coupe is known for Baby Making Woman love
The car that the singer is driving is known for being romantic and seductive.
I know a place that we can vibe turn that volume up
The singer knows of a place where they can chill and listen to music loudly.
And you can laugh at me the way that I just dodged the fox
The artist avoided a fox and thinks it's amusing, and the person can laugh at them for it.
I think it's sweet you entertaining me
The artist finds it flattering that the person is spending time with them and making an effort to entertain them.
We'll take a drive this is London, many sights to see
The artist and the person will go for a drive in London where there are many interesting things to see.
And like the eye you been circling my mind
The person has been on the singer's mind a lot, like a circling eye.
Got me thinking how our paths they been more than intertwined
The artist is reflecting on how their lives have been closely connected and intertwined.
All this passion ain't for fashion
The singer's feelings towards the person are not superficial, they are genuine.
I'm alive with you I feel it ain't no capping
The singer feels alive and genuine when they are with the person, and is not pretending or faking anything.
And keep it ghetto that's an angel in stilettos
The singer finds it attractive when the person combines a tough or edgy side with a feminine or elegant side.
Diabetic from your vibe Cause it's sweet like amaretto
The person's vibe is so enjoyable that it's like a sweet, delicious beverage that the artist cannot resist.
We can stay up 'till the morning let the sun rise
The artist and the person can stay awake all night until the sun comes up.
We can laugh, make memories of those good times
The singer and the person can have fun and create happy memories together.
Vibing to the twilight captivating moonlight
The singer and the person are enjoying the mood of twilight and moonlight together.
Let's take a walk around your block with your pedigrees
The artist and the person will take a stroll around the neighbourhood with the person's dogs.
You got me heated doing work calculate degrees
The person is turning the artist on or getting them excited, even when they are doing mundane things like figuring out angles.
That's the right angle watching how your hips travel
The artist is admiring the person's body, particularly their hips, from the right angle.
Nineties born I can tell the way the curls dangle
The singer can tell that the person was born in the 90s based on the way their curly hair falls or hangs.
Tell me why you're so divine?
The artist is asking the person why they are so amazing or divine.
Let me park up the whip, baby you can drive
The singer is offering to let the person drive the car so they can spend some time together.
Hit the brakes, take a minute to adjust your chair
The singer is telling the person to brake the car and take a moment to adjust their seat before driving.
Put it into gear I'll show you how you shift and steer
The singer will guide the person on how to shift and steer the car.
It ain't summertime but still we exercise the night
Even though it's not summer, the artist and the person are still making the most of their time and enjoying the night together.
You feeling chilly? throw my arms around you hold you tight
The artist is asking if the person is feeling cold and offering to hug them to keep them warm.
Let this heat inside show me you inspire life
The singer is feeling a deep connection or passion with the person, and wants to see how they bring life or inspiration into the world.
And you the cosmic type energy excites your mind
The person has a cosmic or otherworldly energy that stimulates or excites the singer's mind.
Let me flow with you show me how the planets move
The artist wants to be in sync with the person and learn from them, like how the planets move in sync in orbit.
They aligning with our timing have you seen the moon?
The artist feels like the timing is right and everything is aligning, like how the moon is in the right place at the right time.
I know you feel it too this energy is something new
The artist thinks the person feels the same way and that they are experiencing a new and exciting energy.
Let my heart consume every little part of you
The singer wants to fully immerse themselves in the person and consume every aspect of them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAURENCE ANDREW TOLHURST, MATTHIEU A. HARTLEY, ROBERT JAMES SMITH, SIMON GALLUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind