The Top

The 1984 studio album with the trippy sound people keep asking about — yes, it's real, and yes, it's The Cure at full creative tilt.

Released in 1984, "The Top" is a real, official studio album by The Cure — not a misheard track title, not some mix-tape confusion. Robert Smith wrote it, and it blends psychedelic and post-punk in a way that sits squarely in the band's mid-80s evolution. If you've seen it floating around as some ghost entry next to "Just Like Heaven" or "Greatest Hits," put that thought to rest. It's a record with its own shape and sound, and it's genuinely in the discography.

Last updated 2026-09-29 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Artist

the Cure

Released

4 May 1984

Recorded

1983–1984

Studio

Genetic Studios, West Berkshire
The Garden, London
Trident, London

Genre

Post-punk
psychedelic rock
gothic rock
new wave

Length

40:55

Label

Fiction

Producer

Robert Smith
Chris Parry
David M. Allen

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

In the sprawling mythology of The Cure fandom, "The Top" stands as a bold, idiosyncratic chapter — a 1984 album that saw Robert Smith playing most instruments himself, weaving a tapestry of shimmering guitars, cryptic lyrics, and off-kilter pop. Its title track and singles like "The Caterpillar" (and the standalone single "The Lovecats", which is not on the album) cemented its place in the band's legacy. This is no phantom or fan fabrication; it's a real, officially released record that captures The Cure at a creative crossroads, bridging the dark introspection of earlier work with the brighter, more eclectic sounds that would follow. The album's very real existence is a testament to the band's restless innovation, not a myth born from chart-topping hits of the late 80s.

Reader's Guide

"The Top" does not exist as an official release, so there are no tracklists or chart performances to detail. However, fans often mistake this for compilations like "Greatest Hits" (1992) or singles from the "Disintegration" era. If you are looking for the band's peak commercial success, explore albums such as "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" or "Disintegration," which feature hits that frequently topped charts. These records define the late 80s and early 90s sound of The Cure. Critical reception for these actual works remains highly positive, cementing their legacy in alternative music history. Always verify titles against official discographies to avoid confusion with fan-made or misattributed names.

Track listing

Side A

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Shake Dog Shake		4:55
2	Bird Mad Girl	Smith, Tolhurst	4:05
3	Wailing Wall		5:17
4	Give Me It		3:42
5	Dressing Up		2:51

2006 Deluxe Edition bonus disc

No.	Title	Length
1	You Stayed... (Robert Smith Home Demo 8/82)	2:21
2	Ariel (Robert Smith Home Demo 8/82)	2:58
3	A Hand Inside My Mouth (Des Dames Studio Demo 8/83)	3:40
4	Sadacic (Olympic Studio Robert Smith Demo 12/83)	4:17
5	Shake Dog Shake (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	4:56
6	Piggy in the Mirror (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	3:40
7	Birdmad Girl (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	3:36
8	Give Me It (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	3:43
9	Throw Your Foot (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	3:31
10	Happy the Man (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	2:46
11	The Caterpillar (Garden/Eden Studios Robert Smith and Andy Anderson Demo 12/83)	4:17
12	Dressing Up (Genetic Studio Guide Vocal/Rough Mix 2/84)	2:14
13	Wailing Wall (Genetic Studio Rough Mix 2/84)	4:59
14	The Empty World (Live Bootleg – Hammersmith Odeon 5/84)	2:47
15	Bananafishbones (Live Bootleg – Hammersmith Odeon 5/84)	2:57
16	The Top (Live Bootleg – Hammersmith Odeon 5/84)	7:13
17	Forever (Version; Live Bootleg – Zenith Paris 5/84)	4:58

Track listing from the source article.

Did You Know?

The album features Robert Smith playing multiple instruments, including guitar, bass, and keyboards, while drums were performed by Andy Anderson.
Its lead single "The Caterpillar" became a fan favorite and showcases the band's more whimsical, psychedelic side.
Unlike the late 80s/early 90s era often misattributed to it, "The Top" was recorded and released in 1984, during The Cure's transition from post-punk to pop.