Boys Don't Cry (The Cure song)


"Boys Don't Cry" is a song by English rock band The Cure. It was released in the UK as a stand-alone single in June 1979, and was included as the title track on Boys Don't Cry, the American equivalent to Three Imaginary Boys.

History

Written by Michael Dempsey, Robert Smith, and Lol Tolhurst, the lyrics tell the story of a man who has given up trying to regain the love that he has lost, and tries to disguise his true emotional state by "laughing, hiding the tears in eyes, 'cause boys don't cry".
In April 1986, it was re-released under the title "New Voice · New Mix", in which the original track was remixed and the vocals re-recorded. The new version has not appeared on any subsequent release by the Cure, but can be heard in the music video for "Boys Don't Cry". It was released to promote Standing on a Beach; however, the original version of the song appears on the album.

Music video

The video, released in 1986 to promote the "New Voice New Mix" re-recording, features three children. Behind a curtain, Smith, Tolhurst, and Dempsey, appear as the children's shadows, with red eyes. This effect was attained by painting their eyelids with fluorescent paint.

Legacy

The 1999 film Boys Don't Cry took its title from the song; a cover version, performed by Nathan Larson, was used as the title song for the film. The song has appeared in numerous other films, including The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, Starter for Ten, I Do, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Friends with Benefits and Me and You. The post-grunge band Oleander covered the song on their 1999 album February Son.
In 2018, the song was the subject of an episode of the BBC Radio 4 series Soul Music. The programme featured an interview with Tolhurst about the history of the song.

Track listings

7" vinyl
  1. "Boys Don't Cry" – 2:34
  2. "Plastic Passion" – 2:15
1986
  1. "Boys Don't Cry" – 2:38
  2. "Pill Box Tales" – 2:54
  3. "Boys Don't Cry" – 5:31
  4. "Pill Box Tales" – 2:56
  5. "Do the Hansa" – 2:40

    Personnel

Chart Peak
position
Australia 99

"Boys Don't Cry "
Chart Peak
position
German Singles Chart19
UK Singles Chart22
Australia 26
French Singles Chart28
Dutch Top 40 Singles Chart37
Spain 31

Certifications