- published: 10 Jul 2012
- views: 301894
Robert James Smith (born on 21 April 1959) is a British musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its formation in 1976. NY Rock describes him as "pop culture's unkempt poster child of doom and gloom", and asserts that some of his songs are a "somber introspection over lush, brooding guitars".
His guitar-playing and use of flanging, chorusing and phasing effects put him amongst the forefront of the Goth and New Wave genres.[citation needed] He also played in the band Siouxsie and the Banshees. Besides guitar, Smith plays the 6-string bass and keyboards.
Smith cultivated his own look - teased hair, black clothes, pale skin, smudged red lipstick and black eyeliner - but it is perhaps his distinctive voice for which he is best known.[citation needed]
Smith was born in Blackpool and is the third of four children born to Alex and Rita Smith. His siblings are Richard, Margaret and Janet. When he was three years old his family moved to Horley in Surrey, then finally to Crawley in Sussex four years later.[citation needed] Smith was raised as a Catholic and went to Notre Dame Middle School and St. Wilfrid's Comprehensive School in Crawley. He was an accomplished student who attained high marks[citation needed], but after he began playing guitar at the age of 11 his main focus quickly became his music. His influences were The Beatles, Nick Drake, Jimi Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, Wire, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Ink Spots, The Statler Brothers, Syd Barrett, Joy Division and David Bowie.
I give myself very good advice
But I very seldom follow it
Could explains the trouble
That I'm always in
Be patient, is very good advice
But the waiting makes me curious
And I'd love the change
Should something strange begin
Well, I went along my merry way
And I never stopped to reason
I should have known there'd be a price to pay
Someday
I give myself very good advice
But I very seldom follow it
Will I ever learn to do the things I should?
Well, I went along my merry way
And I never stopped to reason
I should have known there'd be a price to pay
Someday
I give myself very good advice
But I very seldom follow it
Will I ever learn, will I ever learn?