The Cure’s Classic ’80s Song Hits 1 Billion Streams, 47 Years After Release
Photo by Mr. Rossi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1979 single “Boys Don’t Cry” has crossed one billion streams on Spotify, giving The Cure a new digital milestone decades after its debut.
The English band, formed in the late 1970s, remains widely known for its moody sound and direct lyrics, and the song’s rise shows how older tracks can find fresh life online.
Streaming Record for a Post-Punk Favorite
As reported by Consequence, the track is the group’s first to enter Spotify’s “Billions Club,” a list for songs that pass the billion mark on the service.
Robert Smith wrote it with Michael Dempsey and Lol Tolhurst, but the tune did not make a big impact in 1979 and only grew in reach after a 1986 reissue.
Other Songs Near the Mark
Another hit, “Friday, I’m in Love” from 1992, is also nearing the same level, sitting at about 970 million streams and still climbing each week.
Spotify’s club is not an official award, yet it has become a clear sign of long-term popularity as listeners return to older music through playlists, videos, and trends.
Remastered Version Announced
The band recently confirmed a remastered release of “Boys Don’t Cry” called “New Voice – New Mix,” which will give the 1986 version a wider digital rollout.
In a message to fans, the band shared details about the updated track and its release plans. The post explained that the 1986 mix would reach streaming services for the first time in this form, along with new CD and vinyl pressings.
They wrote:
“FOR FORTY YEARS ‘BOYS DON’T CRY’ (‘NEW VOICE – NEW MIX’) WAS ONLY AVAILABLE ON 7″ & 12″ VINYL AND VIA THE OFFICIAL VIDEO – UNTIL NOW! THE 1986 VERSION – INCLUDING A 2026 REMASTER – WILL BE AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON THE 30TH OF JANUARY. YOU CAN ALSO PRE-ORDER THE REMASTERED VERSION ON CD & VINYL NOW VIA LINK IN BIO,”
Smith also spoke about his choice to revisit the vocal years ago and how he felt in the studio. He said:
“I RE-SANG IT IN 1986 BECAUSE I THOUGHT I COULD DO A BIT MORE WITH THE SONG – I FELT I WAS IMPROVING AS A SINGER, BECOMING MORE CONFIDENT – SO ALTHOUGH I DIDN’T REALLY DEVIATE TOO MUCH FROM THE ORIGINAL VOCAL MELODY OR PHRASING, I KNEW I COULD GET A BIT MORE TONE AND EMOTION INTO THE REWORK,”
The statement appeared on Instagram, where fans responded with support and shared memories of hearing the song in different decades, showing its lasting place in popular music culture today across radio, film, and online clips that continue to introduce it to younger listeners worldwide daily.
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