Since their inception in 1978, the Cure have put out plenty of bonafide classics, but what about their lesser-loved songs? Across 13 studio albums, the goth-rock titans have shapeshifted through funereal anthems and euphoric pop hits — and made a staggering impression on alternative culture in the process, influencing dozens of bands in their wake. Given that the group recently announced their first album in 16 years, we asked our readers to vote on their most underrated songs. From Wish gems to ’90s soundtrack cuts, these are the top picks, ranked accordingly below.
Read more: The Cure albums ranked: From worst to best
5. “Burn”
The entire soundtrack to The Crow paints a brilliant portrait of underground music in the ’90s, featuring a number of groundbreaking acts. Among them are the Cure, whose contribution, “Burn,” is such a poignant song that they still play it live. Culled together by Smith and Boris Williams, “Burn” is a slow-burning epic that soundtracks the moment when Brandon Lee becomes The Crow. It remains a high point of the film, and for a lot of people, this track was the reason they discovered and fell in love with the band in the first place.
4. “If Only Tonight We Could Sleep”
When people think of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, their minds immediately go to “Just Like Heaven” or “Why Can’t I Be You?” Both songs signaled a breakthrough for the Cure, transforming their sound from blackened requiems to transcendent pop. “If Only Tonight We Could Sleep,” however, just sounds haunted. Featuring a long, blurred buildup — one of their hallmarks — Smith doesn’t even come in with vocals until halfway through, which only adds to its atmosphere. Beautiful and understated, “If Only Tonight We Could Sleep” is definitely underrated.
3. “A Forest”
Recording Seventeen Seconds was a whirlwind. Because of the budget, the band only had a week to get everything down, which resulted in long days to get the album to the finish line. “A Forest” was one of the last songs that the band worked on, and it’s a beauty. The metronome-like drumming, the sticky bass playing, and Smith’s pleas swirl together in this criminally underrated track. Even better? The band will often extend the song when they play it live, mesmerizing audiences and making the moment feel like an eternity.
2. “Charlotte Sometimes”
Here, the Cure take inspiration from a 1969 children’s novel by Penelope Farmer, which follows a young girl attending boarding school who mysteriously travels back in time. Literary references aside, the arrangement is just beautiful, and the ’80s-style production makes the song feel massive. In an abundance of great tracks from the goth-rock vets, it feels like we don’t talk about “Charlotte Sometimes” enough.
1. “A Letter to Elise”
Back in 1992, the Cure were in a tight spot. They were three years out from Disintegration, their most commercially successful record yet, and expectations for the follow-up were stifling. Instead of unraveling under the pressure, though, the band pivoted into the jangling pop of Wish. The album was a smash, boasting perennial hits like “Friday I’m In Love,” but isn’t without its undersung tracks. Our readers pointed toward the back-half cut “A Letter to Elise,” which serves as a crushing breakup song as Smith is unable to reciprocate feelings of genuine love.