The Upstairs Room
The Cure · Join The Dots (B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001) [2004]
These games we play
I close my eyes
You run away
I'm sure I asked you to stay
But now you're gone
And so I feel the grey
Pulse in my head
I turn off the lights and crawl into bed
I try to think of sunshine
But my body goes wet
With the first crash of thunder...
I don't think I can know
Anyone but you dear
That's for sure!
When it gets to four
It's my turn to go
Oh the kiss!
So alcoholic and slow
Arranging me for Saturday
I thought you would know
That I always sleep alone...
I don't think I can know
Anyone but you
Dear
That's for sure!
The upstairs room is cool and bright
We can go up there in summer
And dance all night...
Your sister started talking at a minute after ten
So everyone jumped up
And then fell over again
In April you can join them
And stare at me
At the ghost from your past...
The Upstairs Room
The Cure's "The Upstairs Room" stands as a haunting centerpiece on their 2004 compilation, "Join The Dots (B-Sides & Rarities 1978-2001)." Recorded during the band's early post-punk and synth-pop era, the track exemplifies Robert Smith's signature melancholic sensibility, blending atmospheric synths with brooding vocals to create a moody, introspective soundscape. While often associated with the broader "Pornography" or "Seventeen" periods, this recording highlights the band's ability to craft intimate, narrative-driven tracks that explore themes of isolation and emotional distance. The song remains a staple of the band's discography, showcasing their evolution from raw punk energy to a more polished, gothic rock aesthetic that would define their later work.