The Cure’s Robert Smith has expressed his disdain for the “goth” label, but the black-clad singer has remained an icon of gloom despite his protests. “I’ve always spent more time with a smile on my face than not, but the thing is, I don’t write about it,” he once insisted. You’d never know it by listening to his music. The Cure’s catalogue has been dominated by wistful, lonely, somber themes since the band emerged in the early ’80s. The mopey singer’s manic, perky side has revealed itself occasionally, but Smith has often failed to hide his ever-present sarcasm behind his smile — even when it came to upbeat songs like “Let’s Go to Bed,” a calculated mockery of pop music.
Today is Smith’s birthday, and we imagine he’s spending it trying to wrap his brain around the band’s billing next to acts like Mumford & Sons at this year’s Lollapalooza — or the fact that he finally gave in to Lollapalooza itself. Don’t worry, Bobby. Disintegration lives on. Celebrate Smith’s birthday with these photos full of lipstick-smeared smiles, many of them genuine (we think).
Cats make everyone happy! [via]
Cats on sweaters are definitely smile-worthy. [via]
Smith with Cure bassist and BFF, Simon Gallup. [via]
Smith and Gallup making out. Has anyone written fanfic about this yet? [via]
Cheeks. Hurting. Must. Stop. [via]
Smith and Betty Boop — his gothmother. [via]
All the feelings. [via]
Christmas, 1985. Santa’s go-go boots might rival Robert’s enormous high-tops. [via]
A windblown Robert and Simon. [via]
Robert’s come-hither smirk behind Nabokov’s Lolita. [via]
Goth YMCA. [via]
Smith and wife Mary Poole are adorable. [via]
Making merry with Karate Kid-style headwear and a sitar. [via]
Baller. [via]
Perky goth nose wrinkle achievement unlocked. [via]
We’ve never seen an unhappy person with a boom box in their hands. [via]
Smiling in secret. [via]
Team Cure, dressed like a chain gang, before a soccer game. [via]
Smith with director Tim Pope in 1985 making the “Inbetween Days” video — the single that helped make the band international stars. [via]
Tickle Me Robert. [via]
Young love. [via]
When Smith’s hair was more Flock of Seagulls than deep-fried. [via]
Baby Smith with no hair looks like Ben Affleck. So not goth. [via]
Baby Smith with shaggy hair looks like John Cusack, which gets a goth pass since Cusack is a sourpuss, and he portrayed Edgar Allan Poe. [via]
Mary looks worried. [via]