The Cure 10 Best Songs – Ranked & Playlist
What’s the ’80s band whose hits sound just as great today as they did in their heyday? The band whose songs will still hit the same in 100 years? If you’re thinking the Cure — you’re damn right. This group is on a level of its own. And their greatest songs? Truly timeless.
Here’s a list of the Cure’s 10 Best Songs, carefully selected from their legendary discography and ranked. You’ll also find a playlist below with all the tracks — ready to play and enjoy right here 🎧
Of course, ranking this band’s biggest songs is always a matter of personal taste. When it comes to these Top 10 hits, it’s not about picking the best versus the worst, it’s about placing them from awesome to iconic. But whichever track you land on — it’s a winner.
The Cure 10 Best Songs Ranked
10. The Cure – Prayers for Rain
“Prayers for Rain,” from the iconic album Disintegration (1989), opens the chart of the Cure’s best songs. The album is widely considered their greatest work. It followed two records of a lighter, catchy, pop-oriented sound, and Smith wanted to shift the tone of their music. As a result, the record features very dark and introspective songs. “Prayers for Rain” is one of the best tracks on it — beautiful in its melancholic and atmospheric vibe.
9. The Cure – A Night Like This
Ninth place goes to “A Night Like This” from The Head on the Door (1985). A beautiful composition that instantly brings back that classic ’80s feel. The lyrics are easily relatable, and the tempo is just right for enjoying it on repeat. The saxophone solo (played by Ron Howe from the band Fools Dance) deserves a separate special mention. It’s a rare feature in the Cure’s music, which only makes it more memorable.
8. The Cure – Friday I’m In Love
One of the most recognizable hits by the band, “Friday I’m In Love,” is from Wish (1992). Even music fans who aren’t familiar with The Cure have most likely heard this one before. Robert Smith described it as a happy kind of pop song, and that’s a spot-on definition. This track is an essential part of what makes the Cure so amazing: they’ve created equally exceptional dark and light-mood music.
7. The Cure – Lullaby
No list of The Cure 10 Best Songs is complete without this remarkable song. “Lullaby” from Disintegration (1989) has such a distinctive sound and feel. The lyrics are ambiguous enough to leave room for various interpretations. And the melody – though somewhat repetitive – never gets boring. It’s a perfect blend that made this song the group’s highest-charting single in UK.
6. The Cure – From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
“From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea” is a lyrical masterpiece that should honestly be studied in schools today. The ingenious songwriting is on full display here. The faster rhythm and incredible guitars, including that super atmospheric solo, perfectly complement the vivid imagery Smith paints in your mind. This track is 7 minutes and 40 seconds of pure musical enjoyment.
5. The Cure – The Holy Hour
“The Holy Hour” might be one of the band’s most underrated songs ever. And yet, it 100% deserves a spot in The Cure 10 Best Songs chart. The opening bass line hits hard and leaves a lasting impact — it’s honestly extraordinary. Every time I hear that bass, I can’t help but think of Metallica and wonder how much influence the Cure had on them.
4. The Cure – Lovesong
A song with a name like this could only be a love song, right? And it is — but with The Cure’s unique flavor. It’s upbeat, especially compared to the darker tracks on Disintegration, yet it still carries that unmistakable mystic sound we all love the band for. It’s definitely one of their catchiest tunes. The song has been covered by multiple artists, I personally recommend the version by Anberlin.
3. The Cure – A Forest
“A Forest” from Seventeen Seconds (1980) is another hidden masterpiece — usually discovered after fans explore the band’s more popular hits. But it’s one of those songs that combines everything that defines The Cure’s signature sound: the memorable instruments, the unique vocals, the gothic atmosphere, and the mysterious lyrics. It’s a must-listen, and it rightfully takes the 3rd spot in this the Cure 10 Best Songs ranked list.
2. The Cure – Just Like Heaven
Number two on the chart is “Just Like Heaven” from the 1987 album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. It’s without a doubt one of their most well-known and beloved tracks. This carefree-spirited song was inspired by a seaside trip Robert Smith took with his future wife in France, and that joy really comes through in the music. It’s one of those tracks that easily lands in your playlist and stays there for many years.
1. The Cure – Pictures of You
First place in The Cure’s 10 Best Songs belongs to “Pictures of You” from Disintegration. It’s not only one of their most loved and frequently played songs, but also the track that perfectly captures everything that makes the Cure one of the greatest rock bands in history. Smith’s lyrics pull you in, while the harmonious melody and beautiful guitars create a vibe that’s truly one of a kind. You can listen to it a hundred times — and on the 101st, it still feels just as irresistible.
Honorable Mentions
There’s definitely more to the Cure than just ten songs, obviously. I highly recommend listening to their full albums if you love music. For this article, I had to purposefully limit myself to TOP 10 only, but there were a few tracks I just couldn’t leave out. These compositions are truly special:
- Charlotte Sometimes – from a non-album single released in (1981)
- Siamese Twins – from the album Pornography (1982)
- The Same Deep Water As You – from the album Disintegration (1989)
If you haven’t heard them yet — no worries, I’ve added these songs to the full playlist below.
The Cure – 10 Best Songs Playlist
And now the best part – listening to all these tracks. I’ve put both Spotify and Youtube playlists below. Simply pick the one you prefer – and hit the Play ► button!
The Cure 10 Best Songs – SPOTIFY 🎧 PLAYLIST:
The Cure 10 Best Songs – YOUTUBE 🎧 PLAYLIST:
About The Cure
The Cure formed in 1978 in Crawley, England, led by frontman Robert Smith. The band became one of the most influential acts in gothic rock, new wave, and alternative rock. They combined dark, moody music with poetic lyrics, but also produced more lighthearted, pop-styled hits that earned them widespread recognition and commercial success.
Band’s lineup went through changes over the years, but with vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Smith as a constant. The current lineup features Robert Smith, longtime bassist Simon Gallup, keyboardist Roger O’Donnell, multi-instrumentalist Perry Bamonte, drummer Jason Cooper, and guitarist Reeves Gabrels.
These are the Cure’s 14 studio albums (listed in order):
- Three Imaginary Boys (1979)
- Seventeen Seconds (1980)
- Faith (1981)
- Pornography (1982)
- The Top (1984)
- The Head on the Door (1985)
- Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)
- Disintegration (1989)
- Wish (1992)
- Wild Mood Swings (1996)
- Bloodflowers (2000)
- The Cure (2004)
- 4:13 Dream (2008)
- Songs of a Lost World (2024)
For the latest news from the band check their website.
