Robert Smith, the iconic frontman of The Cure, known for his distinctive voice and melancholic lyrics, recently revealed a surprising fact in an interview with Absolute Radio: he never actually wanted to be a singer. This revelation sheds light on the early days of The Cure and Smith’s unexpected journey to becoming the voice of a generation.
Smith confessed that he was “horrified” when he ended up as the band’s vocalist. A self-proclaimed introvert, he had never envisioned himself on stage, let alone as the frontman. He recalled his school days, where he shied away from any kind of performance. “At school, I never did anything on stage,” he admitted.
His first foray into singing was an accidental, and rather chaotic, affair. During The Cure’s first show, fueled by nerves and perhaps a bit too much alcohol, Smith unknowingly launched into David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” while the rest of the band played Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady.” “I was so drunk, I didn’t even know,” Smith recounted. “I thought, ‘That was good!’ And everyone’s like, ‘You played the wrong song!'”
This accidental performance, however comical, marked the beginning of Smith’s unexpected journey as a vocalist. He explained that he “kind of grew into it” after falling out with every other member who had occupied the singer position. His initial reluctance to embrace the role is evident in the early albums, where his vocals are often buried low in the mix.
“When I started singing, I didn’t think anyone would like what I sounded like,” Smith confessed. “I didn’t, and so I thought no one else was going to.” He initially believed his singing career would be short-lived, assuming they would need to find someone else to take over vocal duties. However, to his surprise, people connected with his unique vocal style, and he gradually embraced his role as the band’s frontman.
Despite his initial reservations and his introverted nature, Smith’s voice became synonymous with The Cure’s sound. His melancholic delivery and deeply personal lyrics resonated with fans worldwide, establishing him as one of the most iconic figures in alternative rock.
Interestingly, Smith almost brought The Cure’s journey to an end after their 2018 performance at Hyde Park in London. The band had intended this show to be their final act, but an invitation to play at Glastonbury Festival changed their plans. Smith clarified that his desire to stop wasn’t due to a lack of interest in performing live, but rather a desire to explore different creative avenues in the remaining years of his career.
Fortunately for fans, The Cure continues to create music and perform live. Their latest album, “Songs Of A Last World,” released on November 1st, 2023, marks their first studio album since 2008’s “4:13 Dream.” This long-awaited release demonstrates the band’s enduring creativity and their continued relevance in the music world.
Robert Smith’s candid admission about his initial reluctance to become a singer provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of The Cure and the unexpected path that led him to become one of the most recognizable voices in music. His story is a testament to the power of embracing the unexpected and the enduring appeal of authentic self-expression.
