Standing on a Beach

Standing on a Beach (titled Staring at the Sea in CD format in some countries) is a singles compilation album released by English rock band the Cure in May 1986,[6] marking a decade since the band's founding in 1976. The album's titles are both taken from the opening lyrics of the Cure's debut single, "Killing an Arab".

Standing on a Beach/Staring at the Sea
Greatest hits album by
the Cure
Released15 May 1986 (US)[1]
Recorded1978–1985
GenrePost-punk, gothic rock, new wave, alternative rock, pop
Length45:44 (Vinyl edition)
60:40 (CD edition)
85:37 (Cassette edition)
Label
ProducerThe Cure
The Cure chronology
The Head on the Door
(1985)		 Standing on a Beach/Staring at the Sea
(1986)		 Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
(1987)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Blender[3]
Robert ChristgauB+[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

The "New Voice – New Mix" of "Boys Don't Cry" (released as a single little over a fortnight before Standing on a Beach) was not included on the album; thus the album's singles span only from 1978 to 1985.

"A Forest" on this compilation is the album version (which was also on the 12-inch single) but with the first 59 seconds removed. It is not the 7-inch single edit (which removes a few bars between verses and fades out part way through the guitar solo ending).

The album was critically acclaimed. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called it "one of the finest albums of the '80s".[7]

Release formats

The album was released in six formats: vinyl record, compact disc, audio cassette, laser disc (US and Japan only), CD Video (China only) and VHD (Japan only).

The vinyl edition is a collection of all 13 of the Cure's commercially released singles up to that point in chronological order. "10:15 Saturday Night" was dropped though, possibly because it was only released in France.

The CD edition features the same tracks as the vinyl edition, but also includes an extra track from four of the band's albums. The four songs, although not released as singles, all had music videos made for them.

The cassette edition features the same tracks as the vinyl edition, but also contains all of the band's B-sides that had not, to that point, received a long-play release. This excludes "10:15 Saturday Night" from the "Killing an Arab" single, which was released on the Three Imaginary Boys album, "Plastic Passion" from the "Boys Don't Cry" single, which was released on the Boys Don't Cry album, and the five B-sides from the "Let's Go to Bed", "The Walk" and "The Love Cats" singles, which were released on the Japanese Whispers compilation album. However, the B-side "Mr. Pink Eyes" from the 12-inch version of "The Lovecats" was omitted from Japanese Whispers, and so was included on this release.

These releases were accompanied by a VHS and laserdisc release, a music video collection titled Staring at the Sea: The Images with the same setlist as the CD version of the album.

All the B-sides on the cassette edition were also later released on the first disc of the Join the Dots compilation in 2004.

The album has been certified 2× platinum in the US.

Also missing is the special "Lament" Flexipop single from 1982, as this was not a proper single, and "I'm a Cult Hero" from 1979, probably because it was released under a different band name (Cult Hero).

Album art

The man featured on the album cover was not a member of the Cure; he was chosen because his appearance fit the desired aesthetic of the album. His name is John Button, and was at the time a retired fisherman. He also appeared in the music video for "Killing an Arab". According to the band's 2005 biography by Jeff Apter, when asked why he agreed to lend his face to the band's media, Button's answer was, "If I can help these youngsters break through, after all, why not?"[8] He also reportedly said that he would buy a record player and listen to one of the band's songs "out of curiosity, just to see".[9]

Track listing

Vinyl edition
Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Killing an Arab"Robert Smith, Lol Tolhurst, Michael DempseyNon-album single (1978)2:22
2."Boys Don't Cry"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyNon-album single (1979)2:35
3."Jumping Someone Else's Train"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyNon-album single (1979)2:54
4."A Forest"Smith, Tolhurst, Simon Gallup, Matthieu HartleySeventeen Seconds (1980)4:53
5."Primary"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupFaith (1981)3:33
6."Charlotte Sometimes"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupNon-album single (1981)4:13
7."The Hanging Garden"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupPornography (1982)4:21
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Let's Go to Bed"Smith, TolhurstNon-album single (1982)3:33
2."The Walk"Smith, TolhurstNon-album single (1983)3:28
3."The Love Cats"SmithNon-album single (1983)3:38
4."The Caterpillar"Smith, TolhurstThe Top (1984)3:38
5."In Between Days"SmithThe Head on the Door (1985)2:56
6."Close to Me"SmithThe Head on the Door (1985)3:39

CD/video editions
CD and video edition track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)OriginLength
1."Killing an Arab"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyNon-album single (1978)2:22
2."10:15 Saturday Night"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyThree Imaginary Boys (1979)3:37
3."Boys Don't Cry"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyNon-album single (1979)2:35
4."Jumping Someone Else's Train"Smith, Tolhurst, DempseyNon-album single (1979)2:54
5."A Forest"Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup, HartleySeventeen Seconds (1980)4:53
6."Play for Today"Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup, HartleySeventeen Seconds (1980)3:41
7."Primary"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupFaith (1981)3:33
8."Other Voices"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupFaith (1981)4:27
9."Charlotte Sometimes"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupNon-album single (1981)4:13
10."The Hanging Garden"Smith, Tolhurst, GallupPornography (1982)4:21
11."Let's Go to Bed"Smith, TolhurstNon-album single (1982)3:33
12."The Walk"Smith, TolhurstNon-album single (1983)3:28
13."The Love Cats"SmithNon-album single (1983)3:38
14."The Caterpillar"Smith, TolhurstThe Top (1984)3:38
15."In Between Days"SmithThe Head on the Door (1985)2:56
16."Close to Me"SmithThe Head on the Door (1985)3:39
17."A Night Like This"SmithThe Head on the Door (1985)4:11
Total length:1:01:39

Side 1: Standing on a Beach – The Singles
  1. "Killing an Arab" (Smith, Tolhurst, Dempsey) – 2:22
  2. "Boys Don't Cry" (Smith, Tolhurst, Dempsey) – 2:35
  3. "Jumping Someone Else's Train" (Smith, Tolhurst, Dempsey) – 2:54
  4. "A Forest" (Smith) – 4:53
  5. "Primary" (Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup) – 3:33
  6. "Charlotte Sometimes" (Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup) – 4:13
  7. "The Hanging Garden" (Smith, Tolhurst, Gallup) – 4:21
  8. "Let's Go to Bed" (Smith, Tolhurst) – 3:33
  9. "The Walk" (Smith, Tolhurst) – 3:28
  10. "The Lovecats" (Smith) – 3:38
  11. "The Caterpillar" (Smith, Tolhurst) – 3:38
  12. "In Between Days" (Smith) – 2:56
  13. "Close to Me" (Smith) – 3:39

Side 2: Staring at the Sea – The B-Sides
  1. "I'm Cold" (Smith, Tolhurst, Dempsey) – 2:47 (from "Jumping Someone Else's Train")
  2. "Another Journey by Train" (Smith, Gallup, Tolhurst, Hartley) – 3:04 (from "A Forest")
  3. "Descent" (Smith, Gallup, Tolhurst) – 3:07 (from "Primary")
  4. "Splintered in Her Head" (Smith, Gallup, Tolhurst) – 5:16 (from "Charlotte Sometimes")
  5. "Mr Pink Eyes" (Smith, Tolhurst) – 2:42 (from "The Love Cats")
  6. "Happy the Man" (Smith) – 2:45 (from "The Caterpillar")
  7. "Throw Your Foot" (Smith) – 3:33 (from "The Caterpillar")
  8. "The Exploding Boy" (Smith) – 2:52 (from "In Between Days")
  9. "A Few Hours After This" (Smith) – 2:26 (from "In Between Days")
  10. "A Man Inside My Mouth" (Smith) – 3:05 (from "Close to Me"/Half an Octopuss)
  11. "Stop Dead" (Smith) – 4:02 (from "In Between Days"/"Close to Me"/Half an Octopuss)
  12. "New Day" (Smith, Tolhurst) – 4:08 (from Half an Octopuss)

Comparison

Presented here is a comparison showing in what format each of the 29 songs on the album can be found, with the position number of that song on that particular format.

Comparison of songs on each edition
Song Vinyl LP CD and VHS Cassette
"10:15 Saturday Night" 2
"A Few Hours After This" 22
"A Forest" 4 5 4
"A Man Inside My Mouth" 23
"A Night Like This" 17
"Another Journey By Train" 15
"Boys Don't Cry" 2 3 2
"The Caterpillar" 11 14 11
"Charlotte Sometimes" 6 9 6
"Close to Me" 13 16 13
"Descent" 16
"The Exploding Boy" 21
"The Hanging Garden" 7 10 7
"Happy the Man" 19
"I'm Cold" 14
"In Between Days" 12 15 12
"Jumping Someone Else's Train" 3 4 3
"Killing an Arab" 1 1 1
"Let's Go to Bed" 8 11 8
"The Love Cats" 10 13 10
"Mr Pink Eyes" 18
"New Day" 25
"Other Voices" 8
"Play for Today" 6
"Primary" 5 7 5
"Splintered in Her Head" 17
"Stop Dead" 24
"Throw Your Foot" 20
"The Walk" 9 12 9

Charts

Certifications and sales
Certifications and sales for Standing on a Beach
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] 3× Platinum 210,000^
France (SNEP)[24] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[25] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[26] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] Platinum 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[28] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[30] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 4,000,000[31]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "New Releases" (PDF). FMQB Album Report. 9 May 1986. p. 34. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  2. "Staring at the Sea: The Singles - The Cure". AllMusic.
  4. "CG: The Cure". Robert Christgau.
  5. "The Cure: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  6. "Tours / Records". Number One. 17 May 1986. p. 37. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  7. Staring at the Sea: The Singles – The Cure | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  8. Apter, Jeff (2005–2009). Never Enough: The Story of the Cure. Omnibus Press 14/15 Berners Street London W1T 3LJ: Omnibus Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-85712-024-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  9. "Rock & Folk (France)". July–August 1986. Retrieved 31 May 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. pp. 79–80. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  12. "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 27. 12 July 1986. p. 19. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  13. "Lescharts.com – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  14. "Offiziellecharts.de – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  15. "Charts.nz – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  16. "Swedishcharts.com – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  17. "Swisscharts.com – The Cure – Standing On A Beach - The Singles". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  18. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  19. "The Cure Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  20. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  21. "Top Selling Albums of 1986 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  22. "Top 100 Albums (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 25. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  23. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  24. "French album certifications – The Cure – Standing on a beach" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 9 July 2023. Select THE CURE and click OK. 
  25. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Cure; 'Standing on a Beach')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  26. "Dutch album certifications – The Cure – Standing on a Beach" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 August 2018. Enter Standing on a Beach in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1988 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  27. "New Zealand album certifications – The Cure – Standing on a Beach". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  28. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (The Cure; 'Standing on a Beach')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  29. "British album certifications – The Cure – Standing on a Beach". British Phonographic Industry.
  30. "American album certifications – The Cure – Standing on a Beach". Recording Industry Association of America.
  31. Pareles, Jon (21 May 1989). "RECORDINGS; The Cure Provides Company for Misery". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
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