ON THIS DAY: The Cure’s ‘Standing On A Beach – The Singles’ Was Released

Released in 6 May 1986, Standing on a Beach: The Singles is The Cure’s first major compilation album, marking a decade of their evolution from post-punk outsiders to alternative icons. In Australia, as in most regions, the vinyl and cassette editions bore the title Standing on a Beach, while the CD version was titled Staring at the Sea .

A Decade of Sonic Transformation

The compilation chronicles The Cure’s journey from their raw beginnings with tracks like ‘Killing an Arab’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, through the atmospheric depths of ‘A Forest’ and ‘The Hanging Garden’, to the pop-infused ‘Let’s Go to Bed’ and ‘Close to Me’. This progression showcases the band’s versatility and willingness to explore diverse musical landscapes.

Format Variations and Hidden Gems

The album was released in multiple formats, each offering a unique experience:

• Vinyl LP: Featured 13 singles in chronological order, providing a concise overview of the band’s hits up to 1985.
• CD (Staring at the Sea): Included the same 13 tracks as the vinyl, plus four additional songs – ‘”’10:15 Saturday Night’, ‘Play for Today’, ‘Other Voices’ and ‘A Night Like This’ – offering a more comprehensive collection .
• Cassette: This format was particularly prized by fans, as it included a second side filled with B-sides, such as ‘I’m Cold’, ‘Descent’ and ‘A Few Hours After This’, many of which were previously hard to find .

Album Track Listing:

Vinyl Edition (13 Tracks)

The original vinyl release features 13 of The Cure’s singles from 1978 to 1985, presented in chronological order:

1. Killing an Arab
2. Boys Don’t Cry
3. Jumping Someone Else’s Train
4. A Forest
5. Primary
6. Charlotte Sometimes
7. The Hanging Garden
8. Let’s Go to Bed
9. The Walk
10. The Lovecats
11. The Caterpillar
12. In Between Days
13. Close to Me

CD Edition (Staring at the Sea)

The CD version, titled Staring at the Sea, includes the same 13 tracks as the vinyl, plus four additional songs:

14. 10:15 Saturday Night
15. Play for Today
16. Other Voices
17. A Night Like This

Cassette Edition (Standing on a Beach – The Singles and Unavailable B-Sides)

The cassette release is a treasure trove for fans, featuring the 13 singles on Side A and a collection of B-sides on Side B:

Side A – Singles:

1. Killing an Arab
2. Boys Don’t Cry
3. Jumping Someone Else’s Train
4. A Forest
5. Primary
6. Charlotte Sometimes
7. The Hanging Garden
8. Let’s Go to Bed
9. The Walk
10. The Lovecats
11. The Caterpillar
12. In Between Days
13. Close to Me

Side B – B-Sides:

1. I’m Cold
2. Another Journey by Train
3. Descent
4. Splintered in Her Head
5. Mr. Pink Eyes
6. Happy the Man
7. Throw Your Foot
8. The Exploding Boy
9. A Few Hours After This
10. A Man Inside My Mouth
11. Stop Dead
12. New Day

Visual Aesthetics and Cultural Impact

The album’s cover features a striking photograph of a weathered fisherman, symbolizing the band’s introspective and melancholic themes. This imagery, combined with the compilation’s content, solidified The Cure’s identity and resonated with fans worldwide .

Standing on a Beach achieved significant commercial success, becoming The Cure’s highest-charting album at the time, peaking at No. 4 in the UK and No. 48 in the US, and selling over two million copies in the US alone .

Legacy

Beyond its commercial achievements, Standing on a Beach serves as a gateway into The Cure’s diverse discography, capturing the essence of their first decade. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to encapsulate the band’s transformation and the emotional depth of their music.

For both longtime fans and newcomers, this compilation offers a poignant reflection on The Cure’s early years and their lasting influence on alternative music.