The Cure’s timeless classic “Boys Don’t Cry” has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, marking a monumental milestone for one of the most influential bands in music history. To celebrate, Robert Smith and the band have announced a special limited-edition EP featuring remastered tracks, rare B-sides, and the long-awaited 1986 re-recording — now available digitally for the first time.
More than four decades after its release, Boys Don’t Cry continues to resonate across generations. First unveiled in 1979, the song not only cemented The Cure’s place in the post-punk and new wave movement but also became a universal anthem of vulnerability, love, and emotional honesty. Today, it becomes the band’s first track to join Spotify’s prestigious Billions Club, proving that true art never fades — it only grows stronger with time.
The achievement is more than a number; it’s a reflection of the band’s enduring emotional connection with listeners around the world. From the instantly recognizable guitar riff to Robert Smith’s heartfelt vocals, Boys Don’t Cry remains a song that transcends decades — a musical bridge between youth, melancholy, and the courage to feel.
In honor of this milestone, The Cure announced the release of a limited collector’s EP dedicated to the song, arriving on April 21. Available in multiple formats — 12” vinyl, 7” vinyl, CD, and digital — the release will include material long sought after by fans and collectors alike.
At the center of this release is the 1986 re-recording of Boys Don’t Cry, originally produced for Staring at the Sea – The Singles. Until now, that version had never been available on streaming platforms. Fans will finally be able to hear Smith’s more mature, refined take on the track — a version that captures both nostalgia and evolution.
The EP will also feature remastered editions of original B-sides, including Plastic Passion, Pillbox Tales, and Do the Hansa, as well as the extended 12” mix of Boys Don’t Cry. It’s a comprehensive, lovingly curated project that celebrates both the band’s history and its ongoing influence on modern music.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. With the resurgence of post-punk and alternative rock, The Cure’s influence is being rediscovered by a new generation of fans. Younger listeners are finding meaning in Smith’s introspective lyrics and the band’s raw emotional delivery — while longtime followers continue to hold the band close as the soundtrack of their lives.
Boys Don’t Cry has always been more than just a song; it’s an emotional statement. Smith wrote about the quiet conflict between emotional expression and societal expectations — the struggle of showing pain while trying to appear strong. Decades later, that message feels more relevant than ever.
Musically, its minimalist yet evocative production — chiming guitars, crisp drums, and bittersweet melodies — became the blueprint for countless artists who followed. From Interpol to The 1975, traces of The Cure’s DNA are woven through modern indie and alternative music.
Its continued streaming success proves that The Cure’s sound transcends eras. The song is now a global cultural touchstone — a timeless reminder that emotion is not weakness but strength.
The release of this EP not only honors that legacy but also invites both old and new listeners to reconnect with the heart of the band. It’s a celebration of what made The Cure revolutionary — their ability to turn pain into poetry, sadness into beauty, and music into healing.
As the band continues its journey, The Cure’s impact remains as powerful as ever. Boys Don’t Cry may have started as a song about emotional restraint, but 45 years later, it stands as an anthem of honesty — a declaration that music, like emotion, has no expiration date.
