Editing The Cure (section)

==History==
===1973–1979: Formation and early years===
The founding members of the Cure were school friends at Notre Dame Middle School in [[Crawley]].<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=R857BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA60|page= 60|title= Rock Band Name Origins| first= Greg | last= Metzer|publisher= McFarland |date= 21 May 2008|isbn= 9780786455317}}</ref> They first performed in public at an end-of-year show in April 1973 as members of a one-off school band called Obelisk.<ref name=Obelisk>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6O0Pv8aG44C&pg=PT48|page= 26|title= Never Enough: The Story of The Cure|author= Jeff Apter|publisher= Omnibus Press |date= 5 November 2009|isbn= 9780857120243}}</ref> That band consisted of Robert Smith on piano, [[Michael Dempsey]] on guitar, [[Lol Tolhurst]] on percussion, Marc Ceccagno on lead guitar, and Alan Hill on bass.<ref name=Obelisk/> In January 1976, while at [[St Wilfrid's Catholic School, Crawley|St Wilfrid's Comprehensive School]], Ceccagno formed a five-piece rock band with Smith on guitar and Dempsey on bass, along with two other school friends.<ref name=TIY>{{cite book |title= Ten Imaginary Years |first1= L. |last1= Barbarian |first2= Steve |last2= Sutherland |authorlink3= Robert Smith (musician) |first3= Robert |last3=Smith| year= 1988| publisher= Zomba Books | isbn=0-946391-87-4}}</ref> They called themselves Malice and rehearsed [[David Bowie]], [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Alex Harvey (musician)|Alex Harvey]] songs in a local church hall.<ref name= Spiral>{{cite magazine| title= The Cure, A History| magazine= Spiral Scratch Magazine| first= Rachel| last= Doran | date= April 1992| publisher=}}</ref> By late April 1976, Ceccagno and the other two members had left, and Tolhurst (drums), Martin Creasy (vocals), and [[Porl Thompson]] (guitar) had joined the band.<ref name= TIY3>Barbarian, Sutherland, Smith (1988)</ref> This lineup played all three of Malice's only documented live shows during December 1976. In January 1977, following Creasy's departure, and increasingly influenced by the emergence of [[punk rock]], Malice's remaining members became known as Easy Cure – after a song written by Tolhurst.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p= 36}}

After winning a talent competition, Easy Cure signed a [[recording contract]] with German record label [[Ariola Records|Ariola]]-[[Hansa Records|Hansa]] on 18 May 1977.<ref name="TIY" /> In September 1977, Peter O'Toole (no relation to [[Peter O'Toole|the actor]]), who had been the group's vocalist for several months, left the group to live on a [[kibbutz]] in Israel. The band auditioned several vocalists that month before Smith assumed the role.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=46}} The new four-piece of Dempsey, Smith, Thompson, and Tolhurst recorded their first studio demo sessions as Easy Cure for Hansa at SAV Studios in London in October and November 1977.<ref name=sutherland>''A History of The Cure'' in ''Melody Maker Magazine'' by Steve Sutherland (1990)</ref> None were ever released.<ref name="Frost">{{cite journal |last= Frost |first= Deborah |date= 1 October 1987 |title= Taking The Cure with Robert |journal= [[Creem]]}}</ref>

The band continued to perform regularly around Crawley (including the Rocket, St Edward's, and Queen's Square in particular) throughout 1977 and 1978. On 19 February 1978 they were joined at the Rocket for the first time by a support band from [[Horley]] called Lockjaw, featuring bassist [[Simon Gallup]].<ref name="shows">Barbarian, Sutherland, Smith (1988); and ''The Cure: A Visual Documentary'', by Dave Thompson and Jo-Ann Greene (1988) Omnibus Press {{ISBN|0-7119-1387-0}}</ref> Hansa, dissatisfied with the group's demos, did not wish to release their original song "[[Killing an Arab]]". The label suggested that the band attempt cover versions instead. They refused, and by March 1978 Easy Cure's contract with the label had been dissolved.<ref name=sutherland2>Sutherland (1990) and Barbarian, Sutherland, Smith (1988)</ref> Smith later recalled, "We were very young. They just thought they could turn us into a teen group. They actually wanted us to do cover versions and we always refused."<ref name="Frost"/>

On 22 April 1978, Easy Cure played their last gig at the Montefiore Institute Hall (in the [[Three Bridges, West Sussex|Three Bridges]] neighbourhood of Crawley)<ref name=shows2>''Anomolie'', Sureaud, Michaux, Ramage (1990–'92)</ref> before guitarist Porl Thompson was dropped from the lineup because his lead-guitar style was at odds with Smith's growing preference for [[minimalist]] songwriting.<ref name=sutherland3>Sutherland (1990)</ref> Smith soon renamed the remaining trio the Cure.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp= 56–57}} Later that month the band recorded their first sessions as a trio at Chestnut Studios in Sussex, producing a demo tape for distribution to a dozen major record labels.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=62}} The demo found its way to [[Polydor Records]] scout [[Chris Parry (producer)|Chris Parry]], who signed the Cure to his newly formed [[Fiction Records|Fiction]] label – distributed by Polydor – in September 1978.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p= 68}} The Cure released their debut single "Killing an Arab" in December 1978 on the [[Small Wonder Records|Small Wonder]] label as a stopgap until Fiction finalised distribution arrangements with Polydor. "Killing an Arab" garnered both acclaim and controversy. While the single's provocative title led to accusations of racism, the song is based on French author [[Albert Camus]]'s novel [[The Stranger (Camus novel)|''The Stranger'']].<ref>{{cite journal |last= Hull |first= Robot A. |date= January 1982 |title= The Cure: ...Happily Ever After |journal= [[Creem]]}}</ref> The band placed stickers that denied the racist connotations on the single's 1979 reissue on Fiction. An early ''[[NME]]'' article on the band wrote that the Cure "are like a breath of fresh suburban air on the capital's smog-ridden pub-and-club circuit," and noted: "With a [[John Peel]] session and more extensive London gigging on their immediate agenda, it remains to be seen whether the Cure can retain their refreshing [[joie de vivre]]."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Thrills |first= Adrian |date= 16 December 1978 |title= Ain't No Blues for the Summertime Cure |journal= [[NME]]}}</ref>

The Cure released their debut album ''[[Three Imaginary Boys]]'' in May 1979. Because of the band's inexperience in the studio, Parry and engineer [[Mike Hedges]] took control of the recording.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=84}} The band, particularly Smith, were unhappy with the album; in a 1987 interview, he admitted: "a lot of it was very superficial – I didn't even like it at the time. There were criticisms made that it was very lightweight, and I thought they were justified. Even when we'd made it, I wanted to do something that I thought had more substance to it."<ref name="Spin 1987">{{cite journal |last= Sweeting |first= Adam |date= July 1987 |title= The Cure – Curiouser and Curiouser |journal= [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] }}</ref> The band's second single, [[Boys Don't Cry (The Cure song)|"Boys Don't Cry"]], was released in June. [[File:Siouxsie and the Banshees-3.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Steven Severin]], [[Siouxsie Sioux]] and [[Budgie (musician)|Budgie]] with whom Robert Smith played inside [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]] as guitarist, in 1979, then from 1982 to 1984]] The Cure then embarked as the support band for [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]]' ''[[Join Hands]]'' promotional tour of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales between August and October. The tour saw Smith pull double-duty each night by performing with the Cure and as the guitarist with the Banshees when [[John McKay (guitarist)|John McKay]] quit the group in Aberdeen.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp= 105}} That musical experience had a strong impact on him: "On stage that first night with the Banshees, I was blown away by how powerful I felt playing that kind of music. It was so different to what we were doing with the Cure. Before that, I'd wanted us to be like the [[Buzzcocks]] or [[Elvis Costello]]; the punk [[The Beatles|Beatles]]. Being a Banshee really changed my attitude to what I was doing."<ref>{{cite book |last= Paytress |first= Mark |year= 2003 |title= Siouxsie & the Banshees: The Authorised Biography |publisher= Sanctuary Publishing |page= 96}}</ref>

The Cure's third single, "[[Jumping Someone Else's Train]]", was released in October 1979. Soon afterwards, Dempsey was dropped from the band because of his cold reception to material Smith had written for the upcoming album.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=106}} Dempsey joined [[The Associates (band)|the Associates]], while Simon Gallup (bass) and [[Matthieu Hartley]] (keyboards) from [[The Magazine Spies|the Magspies]] joined the Cure. The Associates toured as support band for the Cure and [[The Passions (British band)|the Passions]] on the ''Future Pastimes Tour'' of England between November and December – all three bands were on the Fiction Records roster – with the new Cure line-up already performing a number of new songs for the projected second album.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=112}} Meanwhile, a spin-off band comprising Smith, Tolhurst, Dempsey, Gallup, Hartley, and Thompson, with backing vocals from assorted family and friends and lead vocals provided by their local postman Frankie Bell, released a [[gramophone record|7-inch]] single in December under the name [[I'm a Cult Hero|Cult Hero]].{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=100–101}}

===1980–1982: Early gothic phase===
{{listen
| filename = The Cure One Hundred Years.ogg
| title = "One Hundred Years"
| description = Sample of "One Hundred Years" from ''[[Pornography (album)|Pornography]]''
}}

Due to the band's lack of creative control on their first album, Smith exerted a greater influence on the recording of their second album ''[[Seventeen Seconds]]'', which he co-produced with Mike Hedges.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=114}} The album was released in 1980 and reached number 20 on the [[UK Singles Chart|UK charts]]. A single from the album, "[[A Forest]]", became the band's first UK hit single, reaching number 31 on the singles chart.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite book |editor-last=Roberts |editor-first=David |year=2006 |title=British Hit Singles & Albums |edition=19th |publisher=HIT Entertainment |page=130 |isbn=1-904994-10-5}}</ref> The album was a departure from the Cure's sound up to that point, with Hedges describing it as "morose, atmospheric, very different to ''Three Imaginary Boys''."{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=117}} In its review of ''Seventeen Seconds'' the ''NME'' said, "For a group as young as the Cure, it seems amazing that they have covered so much territory in such a brief time."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kent |first=Nick |date=26 April 1980 |title=Why Science Can't Find Cure for Vagueness |journal=[[NME]]}}</ref> At the same time, Smith became concerned about the concept of an alleged "anti-image".<ref>{{cite news |last=Gosse |first=Van |date=21 April 1980 |title=The Cure Play It Pure |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]}}</ref> Smith told the press he was fed up with the anti-image association that some considered to be "elaborately disguising their plainness", stating, "We had to get away from that anti-image thing, which we didn't even create in the first place. And it seemed like we were trying to be more obscure. We just didn't like the standard rock thing. The whole thing really got out of hand."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Morley |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Morley |date=12 July 1980 |title=Days of Wine and Poses |journal=[[NME]]}}</ref> That same year ''Three Imaginary Boys'' was repackaged for the American market as ''[[Boys Don't Cry (The Cure album)|Boys Don't Cry]]'', with new artwork and a modified track list. The Cure set out on their first world tour to promote both releases. At the end of the tour, Matthieu Hartley left the band. Hartley said, "I realised that the group was heading towards suicidal, sombre music – the sort of thing that didn't interest me at all."{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=126}}

The band reconvened with Hedges to produce their third album, ''[[Faith (The Cure album)|Faith]]'' (1981), which furthered the dour mood present on ''Seventeen Seconds''.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=132}} The album peaked at number 14 on the UK charts.<ref name="Guinness"/> Included with cassette copies of ''Faith'' was an instrumental soundtrack for ''[[Carnage Visors]]'', an animated film shown in place of an opening act for the band's 1981 Picture Tour.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=136}} In late 1981 the Cure released the non-album single "[[Charlotte Sometimes (song)|Charlotte Sometimes]]". By this point, the sombre mood of the music had a profound effect on the attitude of the band and they were "stuck in a ghoulish rut". Sometimes Smith would be so absorbed by the persona he projected onstage that he would leave at the end in tears.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=141}}

In 1982 the Cure recorded and released ''[[Pornography (album)|Pornography]]'', the third and final album of an "oppressively dispirited" trio that cemented the Cure's stature as one of the purveyors of the emerging [[gothic rock]] genre.<ref>{{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Reynolds |year=2005 |title=[[Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984]] |publisher=[[Faber and Faber]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/ripitupstartagai00reyno/page/358 358] |isbn=0-14-303672-6 }}</ref> Smith has said that during the recording of ''Pornography'' he was "undergoing a lot of mental stress. But it had nothing to do with the group, it just had to do with what I was like, my age and things. I think I got to my worst round about ''Pornography''. Looking back and getting other people's opinions of what went on, I was a pretty monstrous sort of person at that time".<ref name="Spin 1987"/> Gallup described the album by saying, "[[Nihilism]] took over ... We sang 'It doesn't matter if we all die' and that is exactly what we thought at the time."{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=161}} Parry was concerned that the album did not have a hit song for radio play and instructed Smith and producer [[Phil Thornalley]] to polish the track "[[The Hanging Garden (song)|The Hanging Garden]]" for release as a single.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=158–59}} Despite the concerns about the album's uncommercial sound, ''Pornography'' became the band's first UK Top 10 album, charting at number eight.<ref name="Guinness"/>

The release of ''Pornography'' was followed by the Fourteen Explicit Moments tour, in which the band finally dropped the anti-image angle and first adopted their [[trademark look|signature look]] of big, towering hair, and smeared lipstick on their faces.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=166–67}} Simon Gallup left the Cure at the tour's conclusion after a bar fight with Smith; the two did not talk to each other for the following eighteen months.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=171}} Smith then placed the Cure on hold and rejoined [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]] as their lead guitarist in November 1982.<ref>{{cite web |title=Siouxsie And The Banshees: "We were losing our minds" |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/siouxsie-and-the-banshees-we-were-losing-our-minds-2572 |website=Uncut |access-date=18 September 2019 |date=24 October 2014}}</ref> He subsequently became a full-time member of that band, and was featured on the live video and album ''[[Nocturne (Siouxsie and the Banshees album)|Nocturne]]''. He then recorded the album ''[[Hyæna]]'' with them, but left the group two weeks before its June 1984 release to concentrate on the Cure.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Jon |title= Siouxsie and the Banshees: Our 1986 Interview |url= https://www.spin.com/featured/siouxsie-and-the-banshees-siouxsie-sioux-tinderbox-june-1986-interview-high-priestess/ |website=Spin |access-date=18 September 2019 |date=26 July 2019}}</ref>

===1983–1988: Commercial success===
{{listen
| filename = TheCureJustLikeHeaven.ogg
| title = "Just Like Heaven"
| description = Sample of "[[Just Like Heaven (The Cure song)|Just like Heaven]]" from ''[[Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me]]''
}}

With Gallup's departure from the Cure and Smith's work with Siouxsie and the Banshees, rumours spread that the Cure had broken up. In December 1982, Smith remarked to ''[[Melody Maker]]'', "Do the Cure really exist any more? I've been pondering that question myself ... it has got to a point where I don't fancy working in that format again." He added, "Whatever happens, it won't be me, Laurence and Simon together any more. I know that."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sutherland |first=Steve |date=18 December 1982 |title=The Incurables |journal=[[Melody Maker]]}}</ref>

Parry was concerned about the state of his label's top band, and became convinced that the solution was for the Cure to reinvent its musical style. Parry managed to convince Smith and Tolhurst of the idea; Parry said, "It appealed to Robert because he wanted to destroy the Cure anyway."{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=174}} With Tolhurst now playing keyboards instead of drums, the duo released the single "[[Let's Go to Bed (The Cure song)|Let's Go to Bed]]" in late 1982. While Smith wrote the single as a throwaway, "stupid" pop song to the press,{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=176}} it became a minor hit in the UK, reaching number 44 on the singles chart,<ref name="Guinness"/> and entered the Top 20 in Australia and New Zealand. It was followed in 1983 by two more successful songs: the synthesiser-based "[[The Walk (The Cure song)|The Walk]]" which reached number 12, and "[[The Love Cats (song)|The Love Cats]]", which became the band's first British Top 10 hit, reaching number seven.<ref name="Guinness"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/love%20cats/ |title=The Love Cats – The Cure |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=29 October 1983 |access-date=27 August 2018 }}</ref> These singles and their B-sides were compiled on the ''[[Japanese Whispers]]'' compilation, which was released in December 1983.<ref>{{cite web |last1=True |first1=Chris |title=Japanese Whispers – The Cure {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/japanese-whispers-mw0000198005 |website=AllMusic |access-date=18 September 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref>

[[File:Robert-smith-cure-miyako-np.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Smith in 1985]]
In 1984, the Cure released ''[[The Top (album)|The Top]]'', a generally psychedelic album on which Smith played most of the instruments except drums (played by [[Andy Anderson (drummer)|Andy Anderson]]) and saxophone (played by early Malice member Porl Thompson, who then officially joined the Cure). The album was a Top 10 hit in the UK, and was their first studio album to crack the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] in the US, reaching number 180.<ref name= "Guinness"/><ref name="Billboard charts">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the cure|chart=all}} |title=The Cure – Chart History <nowiki>|</nowiki> ''Billboard'' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date= 26 June 2013}}</ref> ''Melody Maker'' praised the album as "psychedelia that can't be dated", while pondering, "I've yet to meet anyone who can tell me why the Cure are having hits now of all times."<ref>{{cite journal |last= Sutherland |first=Steve |date=5 May 1984 |title=Topsy-Turvy [''The Top'' – review] |journal=[[Melody Maker]]}}</ref> The Cure then embarked on their worldwide [[The Cure The Top Tour|Top Tour]] with Thompson and Anderson, along with Phil Thornalley who had produced ''The Top'' and assumed bass duties for live performances. Released in late 1984, the Cure's first live album, ''[[Concert (album)|Concert]]'', consisted of performances from this tour. Near the tour's end, Anderson was fired for destructive behaviour, and was temporarily replaced for a few shows by Vince Ely of [[the Psychedelic Furs]]. The drummer position was then officially filled by [[Boris Williams]], who had previously been the touring drummer for [[Thompson Twins]].{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=205}} Ely and Williams had both been recommended by Phil Thornalley, from his previous experiences as a producer and engineer.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Price |first=Simon |title=Curepedia: An A-Z of The Cure |publisher=[[William Morrow and Company|William Morrow]] |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-06-306864-3 |location=New York, NY |publication-date=2023 |pages=359–362}}</ref> Soon thereafter, Thornalley also left because of the stress of touring.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=207}} Former Cure bassist Simon Gallup, who had formed the band [[Fools Dance]] in the interim, rejoined the Cure after roadie Gary Biddles brokered a reconciliation between Gallup and Smith.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=208}} Smith was ecstatic about Gallup's return and declared to ''Melody Maker'', "It's a group again."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Sutherland |first=Steve |date=17 August 1985 |title=A Suitable Case for Treatment |journal=[[Melody Maker]]}}</ref>

In 1985, the new line-up of Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup, Williams, and Thompson (now on guitar and keyboards) released ''[[The Head on the Door]]'', an album that managed to bind together the optimistic and pessimistic aspects of the band's music between which they had previously shifted.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=209–10}} ''The Head on the Door'' reached number seven in the UK and number 59 in the US,<ref name="Guinness"/><ref name="Billboard charts"/> a success partly due to the international impact of the album's two singles, "[[In Between Days]]" and "[[Close to Me (The Cure song)|Close to Me]]". Following the album and world tour, the band released the singles compilation ''[[Standing on a Beach]]'' in three formats (each with a different track listing and a specific title) in 1986, accompanied by a [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]] ''Staring at the Sea'', which featured videos for each track on the compilation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |title=RECORDINGS; The Cure Provides Company for Misery |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/21/arts/recordings-the-cure-provides-company-for-misery.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=18 October 2022 |date=21 May 1989}}</ref> This compilation made the US top 50,<ref name="Billboard charts"/> and saw the re-issue of three previous singles: "Boys Don't Cry" (in a new form), "Let's Go to Bed" and, later, "Charlotte Sometimes". The Cure toured to support the compilation and released a live concert VHS and LaserDisc of the show, filmed in the south of France and called ''[[The Cure in Orange]]''. During this time, the band became very popular in Europe (particularly in France, Germany, and the [[Benelux]] countries) and increasingly popular in both the US and Canada.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=12–13}}

The band kicked off 1987 by performing in [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina, becoming one of the first British alternative rock bands to perform a large-scale concert there.<ref name= "arg1">{{cite web |title=Por qué The Cure rompió su promesa y vuelve después de 26 años |url= http://www.rollingstone.com.ar/1571066 |website=Rolling Stone Argentina |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413185113/http://www.rollingstone.com.ar/1571066 | archive-date=13 April 2013 |language=es}}</ref> The concert ended in a riot after fans who had purchased counterfeit tickets were denied entry to the venue.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure's 10 most outrageous moments (and one heart-warmer) |url= https://www.nme.com/photos/the-c-2378287 |website=NME |access-date=9 May 2022 |date=13 September 2018}}</ref> The Cure did not play in Argentina again until 2013.<ref name="arg1" />

In May, the Cure released the eclectic double album ''[[Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me]]'', which reached number six in the UK, the top 10 in several countries,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=Kiss+Me+Kiss+Me+Kiss+Me&cat=a |title= The Cure – ''Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me'' |website=dutchcharts.nl |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> and was the band's first entry into the US top 40 at number 35; the album was also certified platinum in the US.<ref name="Guinness"/><ref name= "Billboard charts"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |title= Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – June 25, 2013 |website=[[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The album's third single, "[[Just Like Heaven (The Cure song)|Just Like Heaven]]", was the band's most successful single to date in the US, being their first to enter the ''Billboard'' [[Top 40]].<ref name="Billboard charts"/> The album produced three other hit singles. After the album's release, the band recruited [[Roger O'Donnell]], previously the touring keyboardist for [[the Psychedelic Furs]] and a longtime friend of Williams, to supplement the work of Tolhurst while allowing Thompson to focus on guitar. During the subsequent tour, Tolhurst's alcohol consumption began to interfere with his ability to perform.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=229}}

===1989–1993: ''Disintegration'' and worldwide stardom===
{{listen
| filename = TheCureLovesong.ogg
| title = "Lovesong"
| description = Sample of "[[Lovesong (The Cure song)|Lovesong]]" from ''[[Disintegration (The Cure album)|Disintegration]]''
| filename2 = The Cure Lullaby.ogg
| title2 = "Lullaby"
| description2 = Sample of "[[Lullaby (The Cure song)|Lullaby]]" from ''Disintegration''
}}

In 1989, the Cure released the album ''[[Disintegration (The Cure album)|Disintegration]]'', which was critically praised and became their highest-charting album to date, entering at number three in the UK and featuring three Top 30 singles in the UK and Germany: "[[Lullaby (The Cure song)|Lullaby]]", "[[Lovesong (The Cure song)|Lovesong]]" and "[[Pictures of You (The Cure song)|Pictures of You]]".<ref name= "Guinness"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/CURE%2CTHE/single |title=Die ganze musik im internet: Charts, neuersheinungen, Tickets, Genres, genresuche, genrelexion, kunstler-sache, musik-suche, track-suche, ticket-suche |website= Musicline.de |access-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090402103955/http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/CURE%2CTHE/single |archive-date=2 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Disintegration'' also reached number 12 on the US charts.<ref name= "Billboard charts"/> The first single in the US, "[[Fascination Street]]", reached number one on the American Modern Rock chart, but was quickly overshadowed by its third US single, "Lovesong", which reached number two on the American pop charts (the only Cure single to reach the US Top 10).<ref name="Billboard charts"/> By 1992, ''Disintegration'' had sold over three million copies worldwide.<ref name="mansion"/>

During the ''Disintegration'' sessions, the band gave Smith an ultimatum that either Tolhurst would have to leave the band or they would.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=238}} In February 1989, Tolhurst's exit was made official and announced to the press;{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=240}} this resulted in O'Donnell becoming a full-fledged member of the band and left Smith as the Cure's only remaining founding member. Smith attributed Tolhurst's dismissal to an inability to exert himself and issues with alcohol, concluding, "He was out of step with everything. It had just become detrimental to everything we'd do."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Brown |first=James |date=8 April 1989 |title=Ten Years in Lipstick and Powder |journal= NME}}</ref> Because Tolhurst was still on the payroll during the recording of ''Disintegration'', he is credited in the album's liner notes as playing "other instruments" and is listed as a co-writer of every song; however, it has since been revealed that while Tolhurst had contributed to the song "Homesick",<ref name= "Pennyblack8447">{{cite web| url= http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8447/Interviews/Lol-Tolhurst--Interview| title= Lol Tolhurst – Interview| website= pennyblackmusic.co.uk| access-date= 5 December 2018| archive-date= 26 September 2019| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190926180929/http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/8447/Interviews/Lol-Tolhurst--Interview| url-status= dead}}</ref> his contributions to the rest of the album were minimal due to his alcoholism.<ref name="Pennyblack8447" />

The Cure then embarked on a successful tour which saw the band playing stadiums in the US. On 6 September 1989, the Cure performed "Just Like Heaven" at the [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards]] at the [[Universal Amphitheatre]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite book |last= Crampton |first=Luke |year=1999 |title= Rock Stars Encyclopedia |page=268}}</ref> In May 1990, O'Donnell quit and was replaced by [[Perry Bamonte]], who played both keyboards and guitar and had been a member of the band's road crew since 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1503188/the-cure-cut-two-ending-10-year-run-with-same-lineup/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214020249/http://www.mtv.com/news/1503188/the-cure-cut-two-ending-10-year-run-with-same-lineup/|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 December 2019|title=The Cure Cut Two, Ending 10-Year Run With Same Lineup|website=MTV.com}}</ref> That November, the Cure released a collection of remixes called ''[[Mixed Up (The Cure album)|Mixed Up]]''. The one new song on the collection, "[[Never Enough (The Cure song)|Never Enough]]", was released as a single. In 1991, the Cure were awarded the [[BRIT Awards|Brit Award]] for [[1991 BRIT Awards|Best British Group]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6188730_ITM |title= Slowly but Surely, Hip Hop Is Gaining a South | work= Orlando Sentinel |via= AccessMyLibrary.com |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> That same year, Tolhurst filed a lawsuit against Smith and Fiction Records over royalties payments and claimed that he and Smith jointly owned the name "The Cure"; the lawsuit finally ended in 1994 in favour of Smith. In the meantime, the band returned to the studio to record their next album.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=255}} ''[[Wish (The Cure album)|Wish]]'' (1992) reached number one in the UK and number two in the US and yielded the international hits "[[High (The Cure song)|High]]" and "[[Friday I'm in Love]]".<ref name="Guinness" /><ref name="Billboard charts" /> The album was also nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure Grammy nominations |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/cure |website= grammy.com |access-date=18 September 2019 |language=en |date=4 June 2019}}</ref> In the autumn of 1993, the band released two live albums, ''[[Show (The Cure album)|Show]]'' and ''[[Paris (The Cure album)|Paris]]'', featuring recordings from concerts on their world ''Wish'' tour.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raggett |first1=Ned |title=Show – The Cure |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/show-mw0000099060 |website= AllMusic |access-date=18 September 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1= Stephen Thomas |title=Paris – The Cure |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/paris-mw0000100141 |website= AllMusic |access-date=18 September 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref>

===1994–1998: Transition===
In 1994 the band composed the original song "Burn" for the [[The Crow: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|soundtrack]] to the movie ''[[The Crow (1994 film)|The Crow]]'', which went to number one on the Billboard 200 album charts.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Crow [Original Soundtrack] |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-crow-original-soundtrack-mw0000110890 |website=Allmusic |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> Between the release of ''Wish'' and the start of sessions for the Cure's next studio album, the band's line-up shifted again.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=The Cure &#124; Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-cure-mn0000137390/biography |website=AllMusic}}</ref> Porl Thompson left the band to tour with [[Page and Plant]] and was not replaced,<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 1996 |title=The Cure Finds a Remedy in Changes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-05-ca-11791-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=29 May 2005 |title=The Cure band members say goodbye |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4591191.stm |website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> while Boris Williams quit and was replaced by new drummer [[Jason Cooper]] (formerly of [[My Life Story]]).<ref name="auto1" /> After a four-year absence, Roger O'Donnell returned to play keyboards.<ref name="auto" /> The sessions for their next album began in 1994 with only Robert Smith and Perry Bamonte present; Simon Gallup then returned from a health-related leave of absence, after which Cooper and O'Donnell joined the sessions.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=270}}<ref name="cooper">{{cite web |date=13 January 2008 |title=The Cure |url=http://www.hiponline.com/749/the-cure.html |access-date=25 June 2019 |work=Hip Online}}</ref>

''[[Wild Mood Swings]]'', finally released in 1996, was poorly received compared with previous albums and marked the end of the band's commercial peak.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=275}} Early in 1996, the Cure played festivals in South America, followed by a world tour in support of the album. In 1997 the band released ''[[Galore (The Cure album)|Galore]]'', a compilation album containing all of their singles released between 1987 and 1997, as well as the new single "[[Wrong Number (The Cure song)|Wrong Number]]", which featured longtime [[David Bowie]] guitarist [[Reeves Gabrels]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Reeves Gabrels Joins The Cure |url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13043417/reeves-gabrels-joins-the-cure |website=Nashville Scene |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=14 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In 1998 the Cure contributed the song "More Than This" to the [[The X-Files: The Album|soundtrack]] for ''[[The X-Files (film)|The X-Files]]'' film, as well as a cover of "[[World in My Eyes]]" for the [[Depeche Mode]] tribute album ''[[For the Masses]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I_511Ub29s | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211116/3I_511Ub29s| archive-date=16 November 2021 | url-status=live|title= The Cure – EPK for The Masses Depeche Tribute (Robert Smith 1998) |publisher= YouTube |date= 10 May 2017 |access-date= 10 May 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{listen
| filename = The Cure Out Of This World.ogg
| title = "Out of This World"
| description = Sample of "Out of This World" from ''[[Bloodflowers]].''
}}

===1999–2005: The Trilogy and more personnel changes===
With only one album left in their record contract and with commercial response to ''Wild Mood Swings'' and the ''Galore'' compilation lacklustre, Smith once again considered that the end of the Cure might be near and thus wanted to make an album that reflected the more serious side of the band.{{sfn|Apter|2006|pp=281, 284}} The [[Grammy]]-nominated album ''[[Bloodflowers]]'' was released in 2000 after being delayed since 1998.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=284}} According to Smith, the album was the third of a trilogy along with ''Pornography'' and ''Disintegration''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/may/30/homeentertainment.features |title=Home Entertainment: Robert Smith <nowiki>| Music |</nowiki> ''The Guardian'' |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |date=30 May 2003 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The band embarked on the nine-month Dream Tour, which included 20 dates in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cure Announce World Tour For Bloodflowers |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/719930/cure-announce-world-tour-for-bloodflowers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806002512/http://www.mtv.com/news/719930/cure-announce-world-tour-for-bloodflowers/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2015 |website=MTV News |access-date=14 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In 2001, the Cure left Fiction and released their ''[[Greatest Hits (Cure compilation)|Greatest Hits]]'' album and DVD, which featured the music videos for a number of their songs.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cure Bolsters 'Hits' With New Songs, Acoustic Disc |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/78293/cure-bolsters-hits-with-new-songs-acoustic-disc |magazine=Billboard |access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> The band released ''[[The Cure: Trilogy]]'' as a double [[live album]] video, on two double layer [[DVD-9]] discs, and later on a single [[Blu-ray]] disc. It documents the Trilogy Concerts, in which the three albums ''– Pornography'', ''Disintegration,'' and ''Bloodflowers'' ''–'' were played live in their entirety one after the other each night, the songs being played in the order in which they appeared on the albums. ''Trilogy'' was recorded on two consecutive nights, 11–12 November 2002, at the [[Tempodrom|Tempodrom Arena]] in [[Berlin]].

[[File:The Cure live 2004.jpg|right|thumb|The Cure in concert in 2004. From left to right: Robert Smith, Jason Cooper, and Simon Gallup]]
In 2003, the Cure signed with [[Geffen Records]].<ref name="officialbio">{{cite web |title=The Cure Official Biography |url=https://www.thecure.com/bio/ |website=The Cure |access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> In 2004, they released a new four-disc boxed set on Fiction Records titled ''[[Join the Dots: B-Sides & Rarities 1978–2001 (The Fiction Years)|Join the Dots: B-Sides & Rarities]], 1978–2001 (The Fiction Years)''. The album peaked at number 106 on the ''Billboard'' 200 albums chart.<ref name="Billboard charts"/> The band released their twelfth album, ''[[The Cure (The Cure album)|The Cure]]'', on Geffen in 2004. It made a top ten debut on both sides of the Atlantic in July 2004.<ref name="Guinness"/><ref name="Billboard charts"/> To promote the album, the band headlined the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]] that May. From 24 July to 29 August, the Cure headlined the ''Curiosa'' concert tour of North America, which was formatted as a traveling festival and also featured [[Interpol (band)|Interpol]], [[The Rapture (band)|the Rapture]], [[Mogwai (band)|Mogwai]], [[Muse (band)|Muse]], and [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]], among other groups.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cure Announce Festival Tour With Interpol, Rapture, Mogwai |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1486873/cure-announce-festival-tour-with-interpol-rapture-mogwai/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422194403/http://www.mtv.com/news/1486873/cure-announce-festival-tour-with-interpol-rapture-mogwai/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2015 |website=MTV News |access-date=14 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> While attendances were lower than expected, ''Curiosa'' was still one of the more successful American summer festivals of 2004.{{sfn|Apter|2006|p=295}} The same year the band was honoured with an [[MTV Icon]] award in a television special presented by [[Marilyn Manson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3672350.stm |title= The Cure Take the Icon Test |last=Weber |first=Tim |date=20 September 2004 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>

In May 2005, O'Donnell and Bamonte were fired from the band.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Update: Two Members Exit The Cure|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62761/update-two-members-exit-the-cure|access-date=17 January 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 May 2005|title=The Cure band members say goodbye|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4591191.stm|website=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> O'Donnell claims Smith informed him he was reducing the band to a three-piece. Previously O'Donnell said he had only found out about the band's upcoming tour dates via a fan site and added, "It was sad to find out after nearly twenty years the way I did, but then I should have expected no less or more."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/62761/update-two-members-exit-the-cure |title= Update: Two Members Exit The Cure |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The remaining members of the band ''–'' Smith, Gallup and Cooper ''–'' made several appearances as a trio<ref name="officialbio" /> before Porl Thompson returned to the Cure's lineup for their summer 2005 tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cure recruit former guitarist |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-73-1367242 |website=NME |access-date=20 February 2020 |date=21 June 2005}}</ref> In July 2005, the band performed a set at the Paris concert of the [[Live 8]] series of benefit concerts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Flore |first1=Raymond |title=Live 8 vs. Live Aid |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/07/08/live-8-vs-live-aid/ |website=Ew.com |access-date=20 February 2020 |language=EN}}</ref>

===2006–2015: ''4:13 Dream'' and Reflections===
The Cure began writing and recording material for their thirteenth album in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/the-cure/41675-the-cure-announce-return |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728122149/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/the-cure/41675-the-cure-announce-return |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2012 |title=The Cure Announce Return {{!}} The Cure {{!}} News |date=13 May 2008 |website=[[MTV]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The Cure postponed their autumn 2007 North American 4Tour in August to continue working on the album, rescheduling the dates for spring 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/cure_postpone_fall_tour |title=The Cure Postpone Fall Tour • News • Exclaim.ca |last=Lindsay |first=Cam |date=24 August 2007 |website=Exclaim.ca |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2008 North American 4Tour Shows |url=https://www.thecure.com/news/2007/09/2008-north-american-4tour-shows/ |website=The Cure |access-date=24 May 2023 |date=13 September 2007}}</ref> The group released four singles and an EP ''–'' "[[The Only One (The Cure song)|The Only One]]", "[[Freakshow (The Cure song)|Freakshow]]", "[[Sleep When I'm Dead]]", "[[The Perfect Boy]]" and ''[[Hypnagogic States]]'' respectively ''–'' on or near to the 13th of each month, in the months leading up to the album's release. Released in October 2008, ''[[4:13 Dream]]'' was a commercial failure in the UK compared to their previous album releases, only staying in the charts two weeks and not peaking higher than number 33. In February 2009, the Cure received the 2009 Shockwaves [[NME Award]] for Godlike Genius.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/shockwaves-nme-awards-2008-big-gig/43053 |title=Shockwaves ''NME'' Awards 2009: The Winners |date=26 February 2009 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Robert Smith - The Cure - Roskilde Festival 2012 - Orange Stage.jpg|right|thumb|Robert Smith performing at the [[Roskilde Festival]] in 2012]]
O'Donnell officially rejoined the Cure in 2011 before the band performed at the [[Vivid Sydney]] festival in Australia.<ref name="officialbio"/> This concert was the first in their [[The Cure: 'Reflections'|Reflections]] concert series, in which they performed their first three albums in their entireties.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Perpetua |first1=Matthew |title=The Cure to Perform Their First Three Albums |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cure-to-perform-first-three-albums-90876/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=14 December 2019 |date=28 September 2011}}</ref> The band performed seven additional Reflections concerts in 2011, one in London, three in New York City and three in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-cure/59468 |title= The Cure to Perform First Three Albums Live at Royal Albert Hall – Ticket Details |date=27 September 2011 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> On 27 September, the Cure was announced as a nominee for 2012 induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-cure/59457 |title=The Cure, Guns n' Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers Shortlisted for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |date=27 September 2011 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref>

In ''NME''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s cover article for March 2012, the Cure announced that they would be headlining a series of summer music festivals across Europe, including the Leeds/Reading Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-cure/62660 |title=The Cure's Robert Smith: "We're Coming Full Circle by Headlining Reading and Leeds" |date=16 March 2012 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://craigjparker.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/robert-interview-in-new-nme.html |title=Chain of Flowers: Robert Interview in the New ''NME'' |date=13 March 2012 |website=[[Blogspot]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> On 1 May, Porl Thompson announced that he had left the Cure for the second time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://craigjparker.blogspot.com/2012/05/note-from-porl.html|title=Chain Of Flowers: A note from Porl|date=1 May 2012|work=Chain of Flowers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure's Porl Thompson auctioning guitars, album artwork, leather corsets and more |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2012/05/01/cure-porl-thompson-auction/ |website=[[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |access-date=14 December 2019 |date=1 May 2012}}</ref> On 26 May, the Cure embarked on a 19-date summer festival tour of Europe, commencing at the [[Pinkpop Festival]], joined by Reeves Gabrels on guitar. On the same day, it was announced that Gabrels would be standing in for the tour, but at that point was not a full-fledged member of the band.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2012/05/26/cure-pinkpop-video-setlist-reeves-gabrels/ |title=Video: The Cure Debuts Guitarist Reeves Gabrels, Digs Out Rarities at Pinkpop Festival |date=26 May 2012 |website=[[Slicing Up Eyeballs]] |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://craigjparker.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/cure-plays-pinkpop-2012-tonight.html |title=Chain of Flowers: The Cure at Pinkpop 2012 |date=28 May 2013 |website=Chain of Flowers |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://craigjparker.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/reeves-gabrels-is-official-cure.html |title=Chain of Flowers: Reeves Gabrels Joins The Cure for the Summer |date=26 May 2012 |website=Chain of Flowers |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> Several weeks into the tour, the band invited Gabrels to become a member and he accepted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berklee.edu/news/4579/alumni-profile-reeves-gabrels |title=Alumni Profile: Reeves Gabrels |last=Mahoney |first=Lesley |date=26 June 2012 |website=Berklee College of Music |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> In 2013, the Cure toured South America, where they had not performed since 1987 apart from two 1996 concerts in Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure announces 6-country tour of South America in April — plus Mexico City concert |url=http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/01/28/cure-south-america-tour-dates/ |website=Slicing Up Eyeballs |access-date=9 May 2022 |date=28 January 2013}}</ref>

In early 2014, Smith announced that the band would release a follow-up to ''4:13 Dream'' later that year titled ''4:14 Scream''. The releases would be compiled together as a double album named ''4:26 Dream.'' However, this project was eventually abandoned.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=4 February 2014 |title=The Cure Ready New Album, Plan 'Trilogy' Concerts |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cure-will-release-a-new-lp-tentatively-titled-414-scream-soon-181286/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=1 April 2014 |title=Robert Smith Explains the Cure's '4:14 Scream' Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/robert-smith-explains-the-cures-forthcoming-414-scream-album-242354/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=10 April 2018 |title=Darum nehmen The Cure ein neues Album auf |url=https://www.rollingstone.de/darum-nehmen-the-cure-ein-neues-album-auf-1482665/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=de-DE}}</ref> The Cure paid tribute to [[Paul McCartney]] on the album titled ''[[The Art of McCartney]]'', which was released on 18 November 2014. The Cure covered [[the Beatles]]' song "[[Hello, Goodbye]]" which featured guest vocals and keyboards from Paul's son [[James McCartney (musician)|James McCartney]]. A video of the band and James performing the song was released on 9 September 2014; it was filmed at [[Brighton Electric]] Studio in Brighton.<ref>{{youTube|uDxDW9jEjHg|The Cure – Hello Goodbye}}</ref> Robert Smith also covered McCartney's "[[C Moon]]" on the album's bonus disc.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/the-cure-paul-mccartney-hello-goodbye-20140909|title=Watch The Cure Cover the Beatles' 'Hello, Goodbye'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=9 September 2014}}</ref> In the summer of 2015, the ''Disintegration'' track "Plainsong" was featured in a humorous moment in the movie ''[[Ant-Man (film)|Ant-Man]]'', but did not appear on the movie's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure's Plainsong featured in a scene in the Marvel movie Ant-Man |url=https://www.post-punk.com/post-punk-music-in-film-the-cures-plainsong-featured-during-a-fight-scene-in-the-marvel-film-antman/ |website=Post-Punk in Film|date=12 August 2015 }}</ref>

=== 2017–present: ''Songs of a Lost World'' ===
In June 2018, the Cure headlined the 25th annual [[Meltdown (festival)|Meltdown Festival]] in London.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure perform career-spanning setlist at Robert Smith's Meltdown Festival: Video + Setlist |url=https://consequence.net/2018/06/the-cure-meltdown-setlist-video/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=31 October 2019 |date=25 June 2018}}</ref> Smith also selected the festival's lineup, which included several of his personal favourite artists, including [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[My Bloody Valentine (band)|My Bloody Valentine]], [[Deftones]], [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]], [[Manic Street Preachers]], and [[Kristin Hersh]], among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nine Inch Nails, My Bloody Valentine to play Meltdown Festival curated by The Cure's Robert Smith |url=https://consequence.net/2018/03/metldown-festival-2018-lineup-curated-by-robert-smith/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=31 October 2019 |date=6 March 2018}}</ref> On 7 July 2018, Cure performed a 40th anniversary concert at [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] as part of the [[British Summer Time (concerts)|British Summer Time concert series]].<ref name="Cure40">{{cite web|last1=O'Connor|first1=Roisin|title=The Cure to headline BST Hyde Park festival in 2018|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-cure-british-summer-time-festival-2018-how-to-get-tickets-headliners-roger-waters-bruno-mars-a8104881.html|website=The Independent|access-date=13 December 2017|date=12 December 2017}}</ref> For [[Record Store Day]] 2018, the Cure released a remastered, deluxe edition of ''[[Mixed Up (The Cure album)|Mixed Up]]'', along with a sequel titled ''[[Torn Down]]'' featuring 16 new remixes all created by Robert Smith.<ref>{{cite news |title=This is the full list of Record Store Day 2018 releases |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/record-store-day-2018-releases-2255889 |access-date=13 August 2019 |work=NME}}</ref>

In a 30 March 2019 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Smith commented on the band's next album, saying, "For the first time in 20 years, we went into a studio – we actually went into the studio where they [<nowiki/>[[Queen (band)|Queen]]] did '[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]'. The songs are like 10 minutes, 12 minutes long. We recorded 19 songs. So I have no idea what to do now... We'll finish it before we start in the summer, and it'll be mixed through the summer. And then so release date, I don't know, October? Halloween! Come on!"<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Cure's Robert Smith on Rock Hall Induction and 'F-cking Great' New Album|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cures-robert-smith-on-rock-hall-induction-and-f-cking-great-new-album-815601/|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=30 March 2019 |access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> In an interview published on 5 July in ''[[NME]]'', he noted that the band would be re-recording three or four songs in August 2019 but that, "I feel intent on it being a 2019 release and would be extremely bitter if it isn't."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cure-robert-smith-intent-releasing-next-album-before-end-2019-2524633|title=The Cure's Robert Smith is "intent" on releasing their next album before the end of 2019|last=Reilly|first=Nick|date=5 July 2019|website=NME|language=en-US|access-date=13 July 2019}}</ref> The year passed with no new studio release, as did the following four years.

In 2019, the Cure embarked on a 23-date summer tour, consisting mostly of festival performances along with four dates in [[Sydney]], Australia. The final Sydney show on 30 May was live-streamed.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Cure Announces 'Disintegration' 30th Anniversary Shows|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-02-19-the-cure-announces-disintegration-30th-anniversary-shows/|website=iheart.com |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=30 March 2019}}</ref> The band performed at the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]] in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.austin360.com/entertainmentlife/20191012/cure-delivers-another-spotless-acl-fest-set|title=The Cure delivers another spotless ACL Fest set|last=Ramirez|first=Ramon|date=12 October 2019|website=Austin360|language=en-US|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref> Later that same month, the band issued ''40 Live: CURÆTION-25 + Anniversary'', a Blu-ray, DVD and CD box set featuring their Meltdown and Hyde Park performances from 2018 in their entireties.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure Announce New Concert Film Box Set 40 LIVE – CURÆTION-25 + ANNIVERSARY |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-cure-announce-new-concert-film-box-set-40-live-curaetion-25-anniversary/ |website=Pitchfork |date=8 August 2019 |access-date=31 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

In interviews in June 2021, Smith referenced the recording of two new Cure albums, saying "One of them's very, very doom and gloom and the other one isn't," and that the recordings have been completed, "I just have to decide who's going to mix them."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-robert-smith-says-forthcoming-noise-album-will-be-a-solo-release-2954782|title = The Cure's Robert Smith says forthcoming 'noise album' will be a solo release|website = [[NME]]|date = 3 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/robert-smith-says-the-cure-have-recorded-two-new-albums|title = Robert Smith says the Cure have recorded two new albums|date = 4 June 2021}}</ref> On 15 August 2021, bassist Simon Gallup posted on his social media that he had left the Cure.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=The Cure Bassist Simon Gallup Announces Departure From Band |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cure-bassist-simon-gallup-leaves-band-1212406/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=17 August 2021 |date=15 August 2021}}</ref> No official statement concerning his departure was made by Smith or the band<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cure's Longtime Bassist Simon Gallup Says He's Leaving the Band |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-cure-longtime-bassist-simon-gallup-says-hes-leaving-the-band/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=17 August 2021 |date=16 August 2021}}</ref> and Gallup subsequently deleted the post. On 14 October 2021, Gallup confirmed that he was still in the band.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Simon Gallup Has Apparently Rejoined The Cure |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2164230/simon-gallup-has-apparently-rejoined-the-cure/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=15 October 2021 |language=en |date=15 October 2021}}</ref>

In March 2022, Smith confirmed that the first of the band's two projected new albums would be titled ''[[Songs of a Lost World]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=Robert Smith just told us The Cure's new album title at the BandLab NME Awards 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-robert-smith-interview-new-album-solo-songs-of-the-lost-world-3173769 |website=NME |date=2 March 2022 |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref> An update was provided in May 2022, when Smith claimed that the album would be released prior to the band's European tour in October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=The Cure give us an update on their "relentless" new album – and when to expect it |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-new-album-songs-of-a-lost-world-interview-update-relentless-tour-3229589 |website=NME |date=19 May 2022 |publisher=BandLab Technologies |access-date=22 May 2022}}</ref>  This, however, did not happen, as the tour got underway with no new album being released, although new material was performed. [[Perry Bamonte]] returned to the band for their Lost World tour beginning with their 6 October 2022 concert in [[Riga]], Latvia.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=The Cure debut new songs and welcome Perry Bamonte back to band as they kick off 2022 tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-new-songs-riga-latvia-footage-setlist-perry-bamonte-2022-tour-3324212 |website=NME |date=6 October 2022 |access-date=6 October 2022}}</ref> In March 2023, the Cure announced a 30-date North American tour called [[Shows of a Lost World]], set to take place in May through July, the band's first full United States tour since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geraghty |first=Hollie |date=9 March 2023 |title=The Cure announce 2023 North American tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-announce-2023-north-american-tour-buy-tickets-3410844 |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> Smith was outspoken against [[Ticketmaster]]'s dynamic pricing model and [[Ticket resale|ticket scalpers]], setting base prices as low as $20 before fees;<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=15 March 2023 |title=The Cure's Robert Smith Says Ticketmaster's Verified Fan System Is 'Far From Perfect' as N. American Shows Go on Sale |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/the-cure-robert-smith-talks-ticketmaster-verified-fan-2023-north-american-tour-1235286474/ |access-date=15 March 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fu |first=Eddie |date=15 March 2023 |title=The Cure's Robert Smith addresses problems with Ticketmaster's "far from perfect" system |url=https://consequence.net/2023/03/the-cure-robert-smith-ticketmaster-verified-fan/ |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}</ref> he also negotiated with the company to issue partial refunds to fans who were subjected to excessive fees above the list price.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=The Cure tried to circumvent Ticketmaster's price gouging. It didn't work |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-cure-tour-ticket-pre-sale-ticketmaster-fees-1850229562 |access-date=15 March 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref>

The Cure released a 12-inch single on 1 October 2024 featuring live recordings of two new songs, "And Nothing Is Forever" and "I Can Never Say Goodbye",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/17/the-cure-lol-tolhurst-goth-book-interview-robert-smith |title=The Cure's Lol Tolhurst: 'Goth is about being in love with the melancholy beauty of existence' |publisher=The Guardian |date =17 September 2023|access-date =10 November 2024}}</ref> that were recorded at a concert in France in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=The Cure to Release New Songs on Live Vinyl Single |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-cure-to-release-new-songs-on-live-vinyl-single/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=10 September 2024 |date=29 August 2024}}</ref>

In September 2024, the band began sending out cryptic postcard messages to fans who signed up for their mailing list along with a poster unveiled in a pub in Robert Smith's hometown where the band played some of their earliest shows. On 26 September, the first single from the album, "[[Alone (The Cure song)|Alone]]", was released. The album was produced by Smith and [[Paul Corkett]], who Smith previously worked with to produce ''Bloodflowers''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trendell |first1=Andrew |title=The Cure share epic and emotional single 'Alone' and announce long-awaited new album 'Songs Of A Lost World' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-cure-alone-listen-full-song-album-songs-of-a-lost-world-details-pre-order-3797210 |website=NME |access-date=26 September 2024 |date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=The Cure Detail First Album in 16 Years, Share New Song "Alone": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-cure-detail-first-album-in-16-years-share-new-song-alone-listen/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=26 September 2024 |date=26 September 2024}}</ref>  ''Songs of a Lost World'', their first studio album in sixteen years, was released on 1 November 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/songs-from-a-lost-world-review-does-the-cures-new-record-deliver/KH54ZWOLBJEALLWOZ44JBB6IJI/ |title= Songs from a Lost World Review: Does The Cure’s new record deliver? |first=Karl |last=Puschmann |date=31 October 2024 |publisher=nzherald.co.nz |access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-cure-songs-of-a-lost-world/|title=The Cure: Songs of a Lost World|first=Ben|last=Cardew|website=Pitchfork.com|access-date=1 November 2024}}</ref> ''Songs of a Lost World'' reached number one on the [[UK Albums Chart]], and was the Cure's first chart-topping album since ''Wish'' in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deville |first1=Chris |title=Robert Smith celebrates The Cure's first #1 album in 32 years |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2286874/robert-smith-celebrates-the-cures-first-1-album-in-32-years/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=11 November 2024 |language=en |date=8 November 2024}}</ref> In the United States, ''Songs of a Lost World'' debuted at number four on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and was the band's first top ten album there since ''The Cure'' in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Tyler, The Creator’s ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ Nabs Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/tyler-the-creator-chromakopia-second-week-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235824962/ |website=Billboard |access-date=11 November 2024 |date=10 November 2024}}</ref> 

In October 2024, Smith said the Cure would release a follow-up album to ''Songs of a Lost World'' and tour in 2025, and would release a documentary in 2028.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=The Cure Tease Another New Album, Tour, And Documentary |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2283855/the-cure-tease-another-new-album-tour-and-documentary/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=14 October 2024 |language=en |date=14 October 2024}}</ref> He also suggested that the Cure would retire in 2029, which would be the year he turns 70 and the 50th anniversary of their debut album ''Three Imaginary Boys''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Eddie |title=The Cure Will Retire After 50th Anniversary of Band, First Album |url=https://consequence.net/2024/10/the-cure-retire-50th-anniversary/ |website=Consequence |access-date=14 October 2024 |date=14 October 2024}}</ref> A 24-track album ''Mixes of a Lost World'' was announced to release in June 2025, featuring remixes of songs from ''Songs of a Lost World'' by artists including [[Chino Moreno]], [[Trentemøller]], and [[Paul Oakenfold]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2025-04-21 |title=The Cure Announce ‘Mixes of a Lost World’ Remix Collection Featuring Chino Moreno, Paul Oakenfold, Four Tet & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/the-cure-mixes-of-a-lost-world-remix-album-track-list-1235951308/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band have been nominated for the 2025 BRIT Awards for Mastercard Album of the Year, Alternative / Rock Act and Group of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet your BRITs 2025 Nominees! |url=https://www.brits.co.uk/news/2025/brits-2025-nominees-revealed/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.brits.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-23 |title=Brit Awards 2025: Nominations in full |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj482r7pqlgo |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>