Wrong Number
A single from The Cure's 1997 compilation Galore, featuring Reeves Gabrels.
"Wrong Number" is a song by English rock band The Cure, released as a single on 17 November 1997 from the band's compilation album Galore (1997). It is the first song the band released to feature then future band member Reeves Gabrels, though he was not a full time member at the time of its release. The track runs 6:02 on the album and single versions, with a radio mix trimmed to 4:24. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, shows the band playing in a place with powder all around, Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Robert being surrounded by a snake.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- The Cure
- Album
- Galore
- Released
- 17 November 1997
- Length
- 6:02 (album version); 4:12 (single edit)
- Label
- Fiction
- Writer
- Robert Smith
- Producer
- Robert Smith
- Mark Saunders
- Mark Plati
Lore & Background
Released on 17 November 1997, "Wrong Number" marked The Cure's first release with guitarist Reeves Gabrels, who would later become a full band member. The music video, directed by frequent collaborator Tim Pope, includes surreal imagery: the band playing in a space covered in powder, Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Smith surrounded by a snake. The single was issued in multiple formats—UK CD, European CD, and UK 12"—each with distinct track listings. The UK CD includes the original 6:02 version plus four remixes: the Analogue Exchange Mix (4:49), P2P Mix (8:12), Crossed Line Mix (8:34), and ISDN Mix (7:08). The European CD swaps the P2P and Crossed Line mixes for a Digital Exchange Mix (7:08) and a Dub Analogue Exchange Mix (5:34). The UK 12" splits five tracks across two sides: Side A features the original, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix (5:55), and Engaged Mix (6:32); Side B has the P2P Mix and Digital Exchange Mix. A total of eleven versions and remixes are documented, including an Acoustic Mix (5:55) and a 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) that appears only on Greatest Hits Rarities.
Reader's Guide
The Cure's "Wrong Number" was released as a single on 17 November 1997, appearing on the compilation Galore. It is notable as the first Cure song to feature Reeves Gabrels, who played guitar on the track before becoming a full band member. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, includes four key visual elements: the band playing in a place with powder all around, Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Smith being surrounded by a snake. The single was released in three formats: UK CD (original 6:02 plus Analogue Exchange Mix 4:49, P2P Mix 8:12, Crossed Line Mix 8:34, ISDN Mix 7:08), European CD (original plus Analogue Exchange Mix 4:49, Digital Exchange Mix 7:08, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix 5:34), and UK 12" (Side A: original, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix 5:55, Engaged Mix 6:32; Side B: P2P Mix, Digital Exchange Mix 7:09). Additional remixes include a Radio Mix (4:24), Acoustic Mix (5:55), and a 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) found only on Greatest Hits Rarities. Personnel on the track: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards), Jason Cooper (drums), and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).
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