I’ve been watching music videos all my life and I have to say I have always been most smitten with many fabulous music videos released by The Cure.
From “Just Like Heaven” to “Close to Me” to “The Lovecats,” these music videos are full of theatrical magic that impresses the eyes and teases the imagination. I can’t compare any other artist’s music videos to them.
While the videos tend to have a dark edge, they also have a playful feel that showcases funny and creative characters that are camera shy and detached from reality. The image is fitting for the edgy experimental sounds from the band that cover a wide range of emotions. While the videos do appear different from one another, they all capture a surreal world that lies right in the middle of fantasy and reality.
Music video of “Friday I’m in Love” (1992) by The Cure.
“Friday I’m in Love” (1992) has always been a favorite video of mine to watch. It features the band walking into a studio and wearing all kinds of props and costumes for seconds and then tossing them aside. It is a video of pure madness. Meanwhile lead singer Robert Smith dances in this bizarre careless way while wearing a big white sweater and signature black wiry hair and red lipstick. It is a video that gives a sense of childhood fun. Smith said it is one of his top three music videos from the band.
Music video of “The Lovecats” (1983) by The Cure.
The video for “The Lovecats” (1983) is another favorite. The video perspective is from a camera following an estranged Robert Smith walking in circles in a small room while making strange expressions and movements as he looks directly into the camera – as though he is looking right at you. The band members are placed throughout the small room bouncing around while playing instruments and wearing odd clothes. I always remember this imagery when I hear the song.
Music video for the song “Close to Me” (1985) by The Cure.
Music video “Close to Me” (1985) is one of the more bizarre music videos released by the band. It starts off with the band members crammed in a dresser playing their instruments in the dark. The dresser happens to be sitting at the edge of a cliff next to the ocean and falls off the cliff while the band members are in it. Clips then show the members being tossed around and then are suddenly lying flat while water fills the space because, as it appears, the dresser landed in the ocean. I love the strange concept of the music video.
Music video for the song “Caterpillar” (1984) by The Cure.
I also must give a shout out to the music video “Caterpillar” (1984) ! Fantastic imagery!
Who is the mastermind behind these unique music videos? Turns out it is the British film director Tim Pope, whom has directed 37 music videos released by The Cure. Pope has also collaborated with the band on other film projects, and the band has collaborated with Pope on his personal projects. To this day they still work together. How amazing they have been working together for nearly 40 years.
A 1997 clip of Robert Smith and Tim Pope discussing how they worked on the music videos “Lullaby,” “Friday I’m in Love,” and “Close to Me.”
A 1991 clip of Robert Smith and Tim Pope discussing how they worked on music videos.
In a 1991 video, Smith and Pope discussed the creation of the band’s music videos. Smith noted he and Pope would come together before the creation of a music video to discuss the music and its meaning. They would then part ways and return days later to share their ideas for the video and move on from there. They noted they made effort to feature the other members of the band and not put Smith in the spotlight constantly since behind the scenes Smith is actually very reserved compared to the other members. Smith said he is not fond of constantly being in the spotlight.
I applaud Pope, with the contributions of members of The Cure, for making the most fantastic music videos I have ever seen. They showcase creativity and emotion, and remind me that other people also see the world in a unique way.
Lauren Ell is an American blogger born and raised in Southern California and is currently based in Sweden. She discusses Epilepsy, Politics and Fun. Professionally Ell is an Online Marketing Consultant and Virtual Assistant. She is also founder and president of Republican Atheists and GunSafetySociety.org. Connect with Lauren on Facebook and Twitter.
Lauren Ell is an American blogger born and raised in Southern California and is currently based in Sweden. She discusses Epilepsy, Politics and Fun. Professionally Ell is an Online Marketing Consultant and Virtual Assistant. She is also founder and president of Republican Atheists and GunSafetySociety.org. Connect with Lauren on Facebook and Twitter.