The Head on the Door

"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.