Robert Smith's 1986 re-recorded version of the track will also be available digitally for the first time
By Max Pilley 22nd January 2026
The Cure - 'Boys Don't Cry' single artwork
The Cure’s ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ has hit one billion streams on Spotify and the band have announced a limited-edition EP to celebrate.
- READ MORE: The Cure – ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ review: a masterful reflection on loss
The song was first released as a single in 1979 and later served as the title track of the band’s debut album in the US. It has gone on to become one of their signature songs, and now it has become the first track from their back catalogue to cross the one billion mark on Spotify.
AdvertisementOn April 21, The Cure will release a limited-edition EP that includes the version of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ that Robert Smith re-recorded in 1986 for the ‘Staring At The Sea – The Singles’ compilation album, but which has never been released digitally.
The EP will be available on 12” vinyl, 7” vinyl, CD and on digital formats, and it will also include remasters of the single’s B-sides, ‘Plastic Passion’, ‘Pillbox Tales’ and ‘Do The Hansa’, as well as the extended 12” mix of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. Pre-order your copy here.
The Cure – ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix)’ EP tracklist:
CD/digital (released January 30) 1) ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 2) ‘Plastic Passion (79 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 3) ‘Pillbox Tales (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 4) ‘Do The Hansa (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster]
12” single 1) ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 2) ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 12” Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 3) ‘Plastic Passion (79 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 4) ‘Pillbox Tales (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 5) ‘Do The Hansa (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster]
Recommended7” single 1) ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster] 2) ‘Pillbox Tales (86 Mix)’ [2026 Remaster]
The Cure released their acclaimed comeback album ‘Songs Of A Lost World’ in 2024, and its accompanying remix album ‘Mixes Of A Lost World’ last year. Their last show was the intimate album release party show at London’s Troxy, which has since been released as a concert film, The Show Of A Lost World.
They haven’t performed live together since the Troxy gig, but they have announced their live return for 2026 with a series of UK and European dates. These include outdoor headline shows in Manchester, Cardiff, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and Berlin. Find any remaining tickets here.
AdvertisementThey’ll also top the bill at numerous summer festivals, including Isle Of Wight Festival, Primavera Sound Barcelona, Rock Werchter, Open’er, Øya and Rock En Seine.
As for new music, they have confirmed that they have recorded 13 songs for a new album, a record that Smith has been hinting at for well over a year.
Around the time of the release of ‘Songs Of A Lost World’, the frontman said they had another LP that was “virtually finished”, as well as a third new record in the works. He also indicated that he would be reluctant to head back on the road until at least one of those albums had been completed, suggesting that a release could be imminent.
Last month, Smith also revealed the line-up for his curated run of Teenage Cancer Trust gigs in March, featuring the likes of Garbage, Wolf Alice, Manic Street Preachers, Chvrches and My Bloody Valentine.
The Cure’s longtime guitarist and keyboardist Perry Bamonte passed away on December 26 after a short illness.
