How Beautiful You Are
The Cure · Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me [1987]
Well I'll try and explain...
You remember that day in Paris
When we wandered through the rain
And promised to each other
That we'd always think the same
And dreamed that dream
To be two souls as one
And stopped just as the sun set
And waited for the night
Outside a glittering building
Of glittering glass and burning light...
And in the road before us
Stood a weary greyish man
Who held a child upon his back
A small boy by the hand
The three of them were dressed in rags
And thinner than air
And all six eyes stared fixedly on you
The father's eyes said Beautiful!
How beautiful you are!
The boy's eyes said
How beautiful!
She shimmers like a star!
The child's eyes uttered nothing
But a mute and utter joy
And filled my heart with shame for us
At the way we are
I turned to look at you
To read my thought upon your face
And gazed so deep into your eyes
So beautiful and strange
Until you spoke
And showed me understanding is a dream
I hate these people staring
Make them go away from me!
The father's eyes said Beautiful!
How beautiful you are!
The boy's eyes said
How beautiful! She glitters like a star!
The child's eyes uttered nothing
But quiet and utter joy
And stilled my heart with sadness
For the way we are...
And this is why I hate you
And how I understand
That no-one ever knows or loves another
Or loves another
How Beautiful You Are
Released on The Cure's 1987 album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, this track exemplifies the band's signature blend of post-punk intensity and melodic sensibility. The song features Robert Smith's distinctive vocal delivery, characterized by a haunting, breathy tone that contrasts with the driving rhythm section. As a staple of the band's discography, it captures the emotional vulnerability often explored in their work during the late 1980s. The composition balances atmospheric textures with a compelling hook, making it a defining piece of the shoegaze and alternative rock evolution. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke introspection and melancholy, cementing its place within The Cure's catalog of iconic recordings.