The Cure Codexery

In Between Days

The Cure's breakthrough pop single that charted globally in 1985.

"In Between Days" (sometimes listed as "Inbetween Days" or "In-Between Days") is a song by the English rock band the Cure, released on 19 July 1985 as the first single from the band's sixth album The Head on the Door. The song was an international success. In the UK, it was the band's ninth chart single and their fourth consecutive Top 20 hit; while in the US it was their first single to reach the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 99. It was a Top 20 hit in Australia and New Zealand and also charted in several European countries, increasing the popularity of the band.

Quick Facts

Artist
the Cure
Album
The Head on the Door
B-side
"The Exploding Boy", "A Few Hours After This..."
Released
19 July 1985
Recorded
1985
Studio
Angel Recording Studios, London
Genre
Alternative rock, jangle pop
Label
Fiction

Lore & Background

The music video for "In Between Days" was filmed on 18 June 1985 at Fulham Studios, London and created by Tim Pope. The video depicts the band playing, enhanced by 360-degree shots and drawn-in, colourful socks. Robert Smith had a camera, held by cables, which he could push away and hold at will; as did Porl Thompson, fixed on his guitar. Tim Pope said of the video "I think Robert is a true English eccentric, you see. He's an absolute nutcase; he's absolutely mad. Therefore, the films are very easy because I just do a close-up of his face and let him go a bit mad." Smith has stated that it was one of his favourite Cure videos, feeling "it captures the song", saying "We wanted to make a video that portrayed us as we are, without looking glamorous or anything, because I got very fed up with seeing people strutting and preening in videos. I think it’s the most tedious thing in the world, seeing the same people with different faces."

Reader's Guide

The UK 7" single includes "In Between Days" and "The Exploding Boy". The UK 12" single adds "A Few Hours After This". The U.S. 7" single replaces the B-side with "Stop Dead". The U.S./Canadian 12" single includes an extended version of "In Between Days" alongside "Stop Dead". The UK CD features "In Between Days" (2:55), "The Exploding Boy" (2:52), "A Few Hours After This" (2:25), "Six Different Ways (Live)" (3:24), "Push (Live)" (4:33), and the music video for "In Between Days" (2:55). Personnel on the track: Robert Smith – vocals, guitar, six-string bass; Porl Thompson – keyboards; Simon Gallup – bass; Boris Williams – drums; Lol Tolhurst – keyboards. The song was covered by Superchunk for the first season of The A.V. Club's A.V. Undercover web series.

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