Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
A neon-soaked leap from gothic shadows into the pulsing heart of dance-pop.
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me stands as a pivotal turning point in The Cure's discography, marking the band's bold transition from gothic introspection to a vibrant, dance-oriented sound. Featuring key guitarist Porl Thompson, who remained with the band through the album's tour, this album captures Robert Smith at his most playful and energetic. It serves as a bridge between the dark, atmospheric textures of their mid-eighties work and the polished, upbeat pop-rock that defined their commercial peak in the late eighties.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- the Cure
- Released
- 26 May 1987
- Recorded
- August 1986 – January 1987
- Studio
- Miraval (Correns, France); Compass Point (Nassau, Bahamas)Saxophone parts
- Genre
- Alternative rock
- new wave
- pop
- post-punk
- gothic rock
- neo psychedelia
- Length
- 74:35
- Label
- Fiction
- Producer
- David M. Allen; Robert Smith
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The album's title itself suggests an urgency and a yearning for connection, themes that permeate the lyrics but are delivered with a buoyant energy rather than despair. It is often viewed by fans as the album where The Cure learned to smile through the gloom, wrapping their characteristic melancholy in bright, catchy melodies that resonated with a global audience.
Reader's Guide
Released in September 1987, this album immediately distinguished itself from its predecessors through its upbeat tempo and danceable rhythms. The tracklist features iconic singles like 'Just Like Heaven' and 'Hot Hot Hot!!!', which became radio staples and defined the band's shift toward a more accessible sound. Production notes highlight the heavy use of synthesizers alongside traditional rock instrumentation, creating a layered texture that felt both modern and timeless. Critically, the reception was mixed initially among purists who missed the gothic elements, but it found massive commercial success, particularly in the United States and the UK. The album charted highly, driven by music videos that showcased the band's new, more vibrant aesthetic — all primary colors and delirious energy, a far cry from the monochrome gloom of earlier years. It represents the late-eighties era where alternative rock began to merge with pop sensibilities, setting the stage for their subsequent mega-hits. The recording process was notably collaborative yet focused on Robert Smith's vision of a 'happy' album. Despite the internal lineup changes, the core sound remained distinctively theirs, blending catchy hooks with lyrical depth. This release remains a fan favorite for its energy and is often cited as the moment The Cure conquered the world stage.
Track listing
Side A
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Kiss | 6:17 |
| 2 | Catch | 2:42 |
| 3 | Torture | 4:13 |
| 4 | If Only Tonight We Could Sleep | 4:50 |
Side B
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why Can't I Be You? | 3:11 |
| 2 | How Beautiful You Are... | 5:10 |
| 3 | The Snakepit | 6:56 |
| 4 | Hey You!!! | 2:22 |
Side C
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just Like Heaven | 3:30 |
| 2 | All I Want | 5:18 |
| 3 | Hot Hot Hot!!! | 3:32 |
| 4 | One More Time | 4:29 |
| 5 | Like Cockatoos | 3:38 |
Track listing from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The album was recorded during a period when the band was actively trying to shed their 'gothic' label in favor of a more energetic sound.
- 'Just Like Heaven' became one of the band's most enduring hits, famously featured in numerous films and commercials over the decades.
- The cover art features a stylized image that reflects the album's brighter, more colorful musical direction compared to previous dark aesthetics.
- Boris Williams's first album with the band was The Head on the Door (1985), not Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
More in Albums & EPs
Elsewhere in The Cure
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced