I don't like
dancing, but I might make an exception for the Cure. There is a strange
contradiction with the Cure, that despite their black clothes, Goth miserablist
image, they frequently produce shiny, irresistible, life-affirming pop songs.
The dreamy "Just
Like Heaven" proves the case, a touching love letter alloyed to the
most joyous danceable music
.
Writer and
leader singer Robert Smith, first designed the music, but struck by its similar
structure to "Another Girl, Another Planet", he added more Cure-like
chord changes. The lyrics written as it was recorded in the South of France, recollected
a blissful romantic day at Beachy Head with his girlfriend Mary Poole (later
his wife, she appears in the video).
The brisk opening
of "show me, show me, show me how
you do that trick", merges Smith's
childhood of performing magic and with a more adult notion of seduction.
Dizzily he recounts the encounter, the passion of their kissing, the
unimaginable exhilaration and future hopes ("Dreamed of all the different
ways, I had to make her glow"). He is completely lost to her ("You,
soft and only"), but being the Cure, there is just a hint of uncertainty,
as the final verses reveal him waking from a dream. Was any of it real ?
The lyrics
are sweet and heartfelt, but the main attraction is the performance. The beat
is driven by the thumping drums and crashing cymbals, while the upbeat melody is
supplied by a swirling synthesiser. The lead guitar jangles warmly, while the
other guitars are fuzzy and distorted. Completing the package are Smith's
passionate, swooping vocals.
"Just
Like Heaven" was not really a big hit, 29 in the UK and 40 in the US, but
it quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest love of the 1980s.
Accordingly, The Watson Twins and Katie Melua both released slower gorgeous
versions, the latter for the film of the same name.
Robert Smith
considers it their best pop single, so who am I to disagree ? If you are
getting married soon, then I would recommend this for your first dance.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nPiBai66M and as a bonus the Watson Sisters version too
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EmvAV9PYTA
Hear Next -
"Greatest Hits" is the best place to discover the peerless singles.
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