THE CURE - CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES

Released: October 9, 1981

Charted:  UK: #44 

"Charlotte Sometimes" is a single released in October 1981, not included on any of their albums. It was recorded at Playground Studios with producer Mike Hedges. Despite its popularity, the single only reached No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart. Robert Smith drew inspiration from Penelope Farmer's novel "Charlotte Sometimes" for the song. 

The track echoes themes of time shifting and displacement found in Farmer's book, where the protagonist Charlotte experiences being transported back in time. Smith's lyrics directly reference Farmer's language and capture a colorful yet doomed atmosphere, marking a departure from typical Cure themes. This song is noted for its vivid storytelling and foreshadows Smith's evolving songwriting style evident in later records. The B-side of the single, titled "Splintered in Her Head," derived its title from a line in Penelope Farmer's novel. "Splintered in Her Head" exhibited a more unsettling mood characterized by metallic, distorted vocals and intense percussion. This sound hinted at the darker and more abrasive direction that the band would explore further in their subsequent studio album, "Pornography”. 

The music video directed by Mick Mansfield, was filmed at the Holloway Sanatorium in Virginia Water, Surrey, a disused lunatic asylum. The location, known for its therapeutic use of art, intrigued Robert Smith, who discovered drawings by former patients during filming. This experience inspired the band to perform at benefit concerts for MENCAP (The Society for the Mentally Handicapped). Despite the meaningful setting, The Cure felt disconnected from the video's direction and struggled to find synergy with directors until collaborating with Tim Pope, who subsequently directed most of their future videos.