"The Head on the Door" is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Cure, released in August 1985 on record label Polydor. It was a major breakthrough for the band, representing a more diverse sound compared to their previous albums. The songs range from the pop-style tone of "In Between Days" to the haunting melancholic tunes of "A Night Like This". It was the first album where Robert Smith was able to use a multi-track recording studio to its full potential.
The Cure line-up included Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Laurence 'Lol' Tolhurst (keyboard), and Simon Gallup (bass). Porl Thompson also returned to the band after a two-year hiatus. The album produced several hit singles like "Close to Me" and "In Between Days" and received positive reviews from music critics. The album marks a point of transition in The Cure's style, oscillating between their well-known brooding gothic rock sound and the lighter pop-centric approach that would dominate their later works. Its mix of gloomy moods and pop hooks marked it as a landmark album in British post-punk history.
The title of the album comes from a line in the song "Close to Me". The cover art depicts a much-magnified picture of drummer Boris Williams. The Head on the Door marked a pivotal moment, not just in The Cure's discography, but in 80’s rock music overall. Its musical diversity, combined with thematic unity, marked a matured sound that is still iconic to this day.
