The Cure (song)
{{Short description|2017 single by Lady Gaga}}
{{For|other songs of the same title|Cure (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox song
| name = The Cure
| cover = The Cure - Single Cover.png
| alt = Lady Gaga in a blue dress with her bare left leg on a turquoise sofa as silky curtains billows behind her. The image is positioned inside a small square with the artist's name and the song name written on either ways.
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Lady Gaga
| released = {{Start date|2017|04|16}}
| recorded = 2017
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=31}}
| label =
- Streamline
- Interscope
| writer =
| producer =
- Detroit City
- Lady Gaga
- Monson
| prev_title = Million Reasons
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = Joanne
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|I4IXxzioDAk|"The Cure"}}|header=Lyric video}}
}}
"The Cure" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga. She co-wrote the song with DJ White Shadow, Nick Monson, Lukas Nelson, and Mark Nilan; Detroit City, Gaga, and Monson produced the song. The song originated from a positive vibe between the collaborators, created as a response to atrocities happening around the world. It was developed in Los Angeles, California, where Gaga and her team were working on some music before the singer started filming the 2018 remake of A Star Is Born. Consisting of finger snaps and an electronic pop beat, "The Cure" is composed around an R&B sound. Lyrically, the song talks about the healing effects of love, with the singer advocating herself as the one administering 'the cure'.
The song was released as a standalone single by Interscope Records on April 16, 2017, after Gaga performed it live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where she was a main headliner. Gaga later included it on the setlist of the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018). Critics analyzed the sudden release of the track, finding it to be a departure from the singer's previous releases, and wrote about the anthemic nature of the composition. Commercially, "The Cure" reached the top 10 of the record charts in Australia, Hungary, Lebanon, Scotland, Slovakia and Venezuela, and the digital charts of Finland, Greece, and combined-Europe, as well as the top 20 in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Malaysia.
Writing and development
"The Cure" was written after Lady Gaga's performance at the Super Bowl LI halftime show.{{cite news|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/lady-gaga-prepares-her-live-performances/|title=Lady Gaga prepares her live performances|last=Fekadu|first=Mesfin|date=July 2, 2017|access-date=July 3, 2017|newspaper=The Columbian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702194228/http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jul/02/lady-gaga-prepares-her-live-performances/|archive-date=July 2, 2017}} Gaga worked with longtime collaborator DJ White Shadow (aka Paul Blair) for the track. He recalled sitting with Gaga and feeling a positive vibe, which led them to write the track described by Blair as "upbeat and cool". Their camaraderie originated due to the "terrible stuff going on in the world right now, it's like when you're a creative person you do your best to try and combat evil with creative stuff, so that was kind of the vibe." Gaga and her team wanted to release the "one-off" single as soon as production was completed.
The song was developed in Los Angeles, where Gaga and her team were working on some other music before the singer became busy with her acting endeavor for A Star Is Born. Gaga utilized the free time from her schedule and asked Blair to meet up and see if they could come up with any new music. "The Cure" was released due to the positive nature and message in the track, although Gaga had already released Joanne, her fifth studio album, six months prior. According to Jocelyn Vena from Bravo, "The Cure" reminded her of the singer's dance-pop songs. Blair explained that the release happened after agreement between all the personnel involved: "Joanne{{'}}s a great record... we weren't sitting there like, 'Oh, we need to make a song for the summertime and put it out this weekend'."{{cite web|url=http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/lady-gagas-releases-new-song-the-cure|title=Lady Gaga's Release of "The Cure" Proves She Does Nothing Low Key|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|publisher=Bravo|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807234947/http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/lady-gagas-releases-new-song-the-cure|archive-date=August 7, 2017}}
Music and lyrics
File:Brothers (13372180984) (cropped).jpg, one of the songwriters of "The Cure"|alt=Lukas Nelson playing guitar in a black T-shirt and bandana.]]
Gaga co-wrote "The Cure" with Blair, Lukas Nelson, Mark Nilan and Nick Monson, while it was produced by the singer with Monson and relatively unknown duo, Detroit City.{{cite web|title=The Cure – Single by Lady Gaga on Apple Music|publisher=iTunes Store|location=United States|language=en|date=April 16, 2017|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-cure-single/1226991189|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416221802/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-cure-single/id1226991189|archive-date=April 16, 2017|id=The credits can be seen once the song is added to the iTunes play list after purchase}} The duo had submitted their material to Gaga's team, and they were enlisted to produce "The Cure".{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/18/lady-gaga-the-cure-producers-detroit-city/|title=Lady Gaga's 'The Cure': Meet the anonymous producers behind the pop anthem|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} Sonically the track begins slow; the first verse is backed by finger snaps and an electronic dance beat.{{cite web|url= http://www.teenvogue.com/story/lady-gaga-new-single-the-cure|title= Lady Gaga Debuts New Single 'The Cure'|work= Teen Vogue|date= April 16, 2017|access-date= April 16, 2017|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date= April 26, 2017|df= mdy-all}} An editor from The Guardian said that the song "is built off an unadorned R&B rhythm before rising into a pop chorus".{{cite web|url= http://t.guardian.ng/art/lady-gaga-sensual-and-acrobatic-debuts-song-at-coachella/|title= Lady Gaga, sensual and acrobatic, debuts song at Coachella|work= The Guardian|date= April 16, 2017|access-date= April 16, 2017|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date= April 26, 2017|df= mdy-all}} It has been described as a midtempo dancehall-inspired synth-pop{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-lady-gaga-debut-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella-w477048|title=Watch Lady Gaga Debut Surprise New Single 'The Cure' at Coachella|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=April 16, 2017|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|access-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517095010/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-lady-gaga-debut-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella-w477048|archive-date=May 17, 2017}} and pop-soul song. Alexa Camp from Slant Magazine compared Gaga's sped up vocals with Justin Bieber's "Sorry" (2015) with the tropical house rhythm. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, the song is composed in the time signature of common time with a moderate tempo of 100 beats per minute. It is sung in the key of A{{flat}} major with Gaga's vocals spanning from A{{flat}}3 to E{{flat}}5. The song follows a chord progression of Fm7–A{{flat}}maj7–D{{flat}}maj7–E{{flat}} in the verses and Fm–D{{flat}}–E{{flat}}–A{{flat}} in the chorus.{{cite web|last1=Stefani|first1=Germanotta|title=Lady Gaga 'The Cure' Sheet Music (Piano Solo) in Ab Major|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0173691|publisher=Musicnotes.com|year=2017|access-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427194424/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0173691|archive-date=April 27, 2017}} Click on arrangement details.
Lyrically, the song talks about the healing effect of love. In an article for Bustle, Danielle Jackson presumed it to be love from her fans who had supported Gaga throughout her career. While performing "The Cure" at Coachella, the singer said to the crowd: "I love you guys so much. I have been through so much in my life and I've seen so much. And you cure me every time with your love." The dedication-like lyrics begins with the singer comparing her music as an escape route for her fans. This is expanded upon in the chorus when Gaga belts "If I can't find the cure, I'll, I'll fix you with my love", thus positioning herself as someone who advocates for the troubling time in anyone's life, evident by the closing line "Promise I'll always be there, Promise I'll be the cure".{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/lady-gagas-the-cure-lyrics-might-be-a-sweet-ode-to-her-fans-51539|last=Jackson|first=Danielle|title=Lady Gaga's "The Cure" Lyrics Might Be A Sweet Ode To Her Fans|date=April 16, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|work=Bustle|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421094248/https://www.bustle.com/p/lady-gagas-the-cure-lyrics-might-be-a-sweet-ode-to-her-fans-51539|archive-date=April 21, 2017}} Ally Hirschalg from Mic also found other explanations from the lyrics: a mother talking to her children and someone who had a recent break-up, the latter alluding to Gaga's break-up with fiancée Taylor Kinney the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://mic.com/articles/174364/lady-gaga-the-cure-lyrics-every-verse-to-the-song-that-debuted-at-coachella|title=Lady Gaga 'The Cure' lyrics: Every verse to the song that debuted at Coachella|last=Hirschlag|first=Ally|publisher=Mic|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}}
Release and promotion
File:Coachella 2014 sunset with balloon chain and Lightweaver.jpg (pictured here in 2014), where "The Cure" was premiered by Gaga.|alt=A faraway image of a festival in a field.]]
In March 2017, it was announced that Gaga would be replacing Beyoncé as a headliner for 2017's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival due to Beyoncé's second pregnancy.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7709042/lady-gaga-replace-beyonce-coachella|title=Lady Gaga to Replace Beyonce at Coachella|last=Brooks|first=Dave|magazine=Billboard|date=March 27, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416122311/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7709042/lady-gaga-replace-beyonce-coachella|archive-date=April 16, 2017}} While performing at the festival on April 16, 2017, Gaga said to the crowd: "I've been so excited for this next part of the show because I've been trying to keep it a secret for so long. I've been in the studio and I'd like to debut a brand new song, 'The Cure'" and played the song for the first time.{{cite web|title=Lady Gaga Drops Surprise Single 'The Cure' After Coachella Performance|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/04/16/lady-gaga-drops-surprise-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella/|work=Forbes|last=McIntyre|first=Hugh|access-date=April 19, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417074328/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/04/16/lady-gaga-drops-surprise-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella/|archive-date=April 17, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2017/04/17/lady-gaga-premieres-new-song-cure-coachella/|title=Lady Gaga premieres new song 'The Cure' at Coachella|last=Cooper|first=Mariah|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Blade}} After her set was done, the song was released on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and Google Play. It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio stations on April 21, 2017{{cite web|url=http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|title=Lady Gaga – The Cure (Radio Date: 21-04-2017)|date=April 17, 2017 |publisher=Earone Italy|language=it|access-date=April 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} and American stations four days later.{{cite web|title=Top 40/M Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|publisher=All Access Media Group|access-date=April 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419230025/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|archive-date=April 19, 2017}}
Gaga released a lyric video for the song on May 1, 2017. It features the singer inside a small square clip in the center of the screen, sitting on a turquoise sofa in a lounge-like room as the camera pans around her.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7777071/lady-gaga-the-cure-lyric-video-reaction|title=Watch Lady Gaga's Trippy New Lyric Video for 'The Cure,' Plus Best Fan Reactions|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|magazine=Billboard}} The lyrics swirl around the frame showing the singer, and change from black to white and vice versa. Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone described it as "seizure-tempting fashion".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-lady-gagas-dizzying-the-cure-lyric-video-w479982|title=Watch Lady Gaga's Dizzying 'The Cure' Lyric Video|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 1, 2017|date=May 1, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} Jeremy Goron from Spin called it "completely incomprehensible, running in an unreadable ring around Gaga".{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/05/lady-gaga-the-cure-video/|title=Lady Gaga Releases "The Cure" Lyric Video Where You Can't Read the Lyrics|last1=Gordon|first1=Jeremy|work=Spin|access-date=May 1, 2017|date=May 1, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502013509/http://www.spin.com/2017/05/lady-gaga-the-cure-video/|archive-date=May 2, 2017}} According to Digital Spy{{'}}s Joe Anderton, the "psychedelic" nature of the video generated a "huge response" on social media, with fans and audience creating GIF images by incorporating their own visuals alongside the lyrics.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/music-videos/news/a827276/lady-gaga-the-cure-lyric-video-review-reactions-twitter-meme-trend/|title=Lady Gaga's 'The Cure' music video is like a psychedelic fever dream|last=Anderton|first=Joe|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=Digital Spy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}}
After premiering the song at Coachella, Gaga added the song to the setlist of the Joanne World Tour (2017–2018), where it was performed as the last song before the encore.{{cite news|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-reigns-supreme-in-wrigley-field-headlining-debut/|title=Lady Gaga reigns supreme in Wrigley Field headlining debut|first=Selena|last=Fragassi|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=September 11, 2017 |date=August 26, 2017 }} She was wearing a crystal embellished bodysuit and Giuseppe Zanotti booties while singing the song.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lifestyle/7889955/lady-gaga-wears-custom-giuseppe-zanotti-for-her-joanne-world-tour|title=Lady Gaga Wears Custom Giuseppe Zanotti For her Joanne World Tour: Exclusive|first=Nicole|last=Saunders|magazine=Billboard|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-reigns-supreme-in-wrigley-field-headlining-debut/|title=Lady Gaga reigns supreme in Wrigley Field headlining debut|newspaper=Chicago Sun Times|date=August 26, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2017}} On November 19, 2017, Gaga performed "The Cure" live for the American Music Awards, from the tour stop at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The singer started performing on piano and gradually moved to a rising stage for executing choreographed dance moves. She wore a dress by late designer Azzedine Alaïa, as a tribute to him.{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/awards/2017/11/19/lady-gaga-provides-the-the-cure-in-soaring-amas-performance/|title=Lady Gaga provides the 'The Cure' in soaring AMAs performance|first=Joey|last=Nolfi|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 19, 2017|access-date=November 20, 2017}} This was the first televised performance of the song, and Gaga's second consecutive year performing at the American Music Awards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theamas.com/2017/11/shawn-mendes-nick-jonas-and-lady-gaga-to-perform/|title=Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas and Lady Gaga to Perform|date=November 11, 2017|work=American Music Awards|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115143729/https://www.theamas.com/2017/11/shawn-mendes-nick-jonas-and-lady-gaga-to-perform/|url-status=dead}}
Critical reception
File:Joanne World Tour - The Cure, 2017-08-05 (cropped).jpg|alt=Gaga flanked by dancers perform on stage, wearing white garments.]]
Jason Lipshutz from Billboard complimented the "slower tempo" and the "new jam just in time for summer" feel of the track, but he also said that the stylistic and sonic shift from Joanne to "The Cure" felt like "an abrupt course correction, meant to build momentum ahead of her summer tour".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7767610/lady-gaga-the-cure-joanne-career-correction|title=Is Lady Gaga's 'The Cure' a Bold New Step, or a Necessary Course Correction?|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|magazine=Billboard|date=April 19, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420071521/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7767610/lady-gaga-the-cure-joanne-career-correction|archive-date=April 20, 2017}} Hugh McIntyre from Forbes said that the track "is a noticeable departure from anything Gaga has ever released before". He described it as a "fun, catchy tune", but felt it was less risky or less dance-like than previous songs like "Bad Romance", "Telephone" (both 2009), "Applause" (2013) or "Million Reasons" (2016). Melinda Newman from the same publication wrote that "The Cure" might be Gaga's pathway back onto pop radio, as it is a "swaying, instantly infectious slice of synth-pop that sounds like it's straight out the '80s and feels ready-made for blaring out of car stereos this summer".{{cite web|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Hear Lady Gaga's New Song, 'The Cure,' Following Its Coachella Debut|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/melindanewman/2017/04/16/hear-lady-gagas-new-song-the-cure-following-its-coachella-debut/|work=Forbes|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}}
Lior Philips from Consequence of Sound found influences of Gaga's "dance musicality" in "The Cure", especially in the "finger clicking, pristine clean production, anthemic flute-like synth, and her remarkable falsetto". Comparing the track to songs by OneRepublic, Philips complimented the simplicity of the verses, writing that it "intensifies the mood".{{cite web|last1=Philips|first1=Lior|title=Top Songs of the Month: Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Prince|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/04/top-songs-of-the-month-kendrick-lamar-lady-gaga-and-prince/3//|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=April 28, 2017|date=April 28, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809211000/https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/04/top-songs-of-the-month-kendrick-lamar-lady-gaga-and-prince/3/|archive-date=August 9, 2017}} Los Angeles Times writer Mikael Wood states that "The Cure" is "an intriguing midtempo pop-soul jam", with "synthetic textures", and "very Madonna circa 'Human Nature'".{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Mikael|title=Lady Gaga's Coachella performance was an absolute thrill – until it wasn't|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-lady-gaga-coachella-20170416-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417100643/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-lady-gaga-coachella-20170416-story.html|archive-date=April 17, 2017}} Amy Mackelden of Marie Claire called it a "synth-pop masterpiece that will be stuck in your head from the second you hear it" and further wrote: "The lyrics are super uplifting and relatable, especially as the chorus features the positive refrain, 'No matter what you know, I'll fix you with my love.'"{{cite web|last1=Mackelden|first1=Amy|title=Lady Gaga Debuted New Single 'The Cure' at Coachella|url=http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/music/news/a26605/lady-gaga-debuted-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella/|website=Marie Claire|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418000047/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/music/news/a26605/lady-gaga-debuted-new-single-the-cure-at-coachella/|archive-date=April 18, 2017}} Ian Monroe from V praised the song for its lyrics and called it "the song of the summer".{{cite web|last1=Monroe|first1=Ian|title=Lady Gaga Surprises with New Track 'The Cure'|url=http://vmagazine.com/article/lady-gaga-surprises-new-track-cure/|website=V|access-date=April 17, 2017|date=April 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}}
Negative reviews came from Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Nolan Feeney, who found "The Cure" to be "generic" and resemblance with other pop songs released concurrently. But he found potential in the release, due to it being "the catchiest, most immediate, and thankfully least self-serious songs [Gaga]'s put out in recent years".{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/17/lady-gaga-the-cure-review/|title=Lady Gaga's 'The Cure': EW review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017|first=Nolan|last=Feeney|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} Similar thoughts were echoed by Alexa Camp, who wrote in an article published by Slant Magazine that the song's "lyrics are composed of generic pop platitudes about unconditional devotion that aren't worth citing here, rendered even more forgettable by a generic hook and a lifeless vocal turn by Gaga herself".{{cite web|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/article/lady-gaga-drops-derivative-new-single-the-cure|title=Lady Gaga Drops Derivative New Single 'The Cure'|last=Camp|first=Alexa|date=April 16, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2017|work=Slant Magazine|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}}
In December 2017, Billboard named "The Cure" the 100th best song of the year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8063600/100-best-songs-of-2017-critics-picks|title=Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks|last=Lynch|first=Joe|magazine=Billboard|date=December 13, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2017}}
Chart performance
In the United States, "The Cure" debuted at its peak position of number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Gaga's 20th top-forty entry on the chart. The charting was aided by the single entering the Digital Songs chart at number three, with sales of 79,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. "The Cure" gradually fluctuated on the Hot 100, and remained on the chart for a total of 14 weeks. On the airplay charts monitored by Billboard, the track entered at number 39 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7775133/hot-100-chart-moves-lady-gaga-the-cure|title=Hot 100 Chart Moves: Lady Gaga's 'The Cure' Launches as Her 20th Top 40 Hit|magazine=Billboard|date=April 25, 2017|first=Gary|last=Trust|access-date=April 26, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} "The Cure" continued to move up the radio charts, reaching peak positions of number 20 on the Mainstream Top 40 and number 17 on the Adult Pop Songs charts. As of September 2017, it has sold 407,215 copies in the nation.{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=Nielsen SoundScan|access-date=October 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002211120/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archive-date=October 2, 2017}} The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it platinum for selling over a million equivalent units in the country. On the Canadian Hot 100, "The Cure" debuted at number 49 on the chart,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2017-05-06|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 6, 2017|access-date=May 10, 2017|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503231905/http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2017-05-06|archive-date=May 3, 2017}} and reached a peak of number 33 in its fourth week.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2017-05-27|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 27, 2017|access-date=May 16, 2017|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525032436/http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2017-05-27|archive-date=May 25, 2017}}
In the United Kingdom, "The Cure" sold 12,774 digital downloads and entered at number 4 on the UK Download Chart. It was also streamed 889,730 times, and combined the track entered the UK Singles Chart at number 23 (with a total of 18,705 equivalent units).{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ed-sheeran-topples-harry-styles-to-reclaim-singles-top-spot/068226|title=Official Charts Analysis: Ed Sheeran topples Harry Styles to reclaim singles top spot|work=Music Week|date=April 21, 2017|first=Alan|last=Jones|access-date=April 26, 2017|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424000306/http://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ed-sheeran-topples-harry-styles-to-reclaim-singles-top-spot/068226|archive-date=April 24, 2017}} The next week, it moved up to number 19 on the chart, selling another 20,978 equivalent units.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/official-charts-analysis-clean-bandit-raid-singles-chart-top-spot/068308|title=Official Charts Analysis: Clean Bandit raid singles chart top spot|work=Music Week|date=April 28, 2017|first=Alan|last=Jones|access-date=April 28, 2017|url-access=subscription |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426152514/http://www.earone.it/news/lady_gaga_the_cure_radio_date_21_04_2017_23323656/|archive-date=April 26, 2017}} In March 2019, it was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling over 400,000 units in the country. In Australia, the song debuted at number 17 on the ARIA Singles Chart and moved up to number 10 the next week. It was Gaga's first top 10 song in the country since "The Edge of Glory" reached number 2 in 2011. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified it triple platinum for shipment of 210,000 copies.
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from iTunes Store listing.
- Lady Gaga – lead vocals, songwriter, producer
- Nick Monson – producer, songwriter
- Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair – songwriter
- Lukas Nelson – songwriter
- Mark Nilan – songwriter
- Detroit City (Paul "DJ White Shadow" Blair){{cite magazine |last1=Nolfi |first1=Joey |title=Lady Gaga producer DJ White Shadow reveals the secrets of ARTPOP: Act II |url=https://ew.com/music/lady-gaga-artpop-act-ii-dj-white-shadow-interview/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=7 June 2021}} – producer
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2017 year-end chart performance for "The Cure" ! scope="col"| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2017/singles-chart|title=ARIA End of Year Singles 2017|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=January 5, 2018}}
| 86 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2017|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=December 21, 2017}}
| 82 |
| scope="row"| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil){{cite web|url=https://pro-musicabr.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/TOP200_STREAMING2017.pdf|title=Top 200 faixas em streaming - 2017|language=pt|publisher=Pro-Música Brasil|access-date=May 10, 2022}}
| 187 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "The Cure"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|access-date=March 9, 2024|refname=aria }}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Lady Gaga|title=The Cure|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2017|relmonth=4|certyear=2024|access-date=April 19, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Lady Gaga|title=The Cure|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2019|access-date=November 25, 2019|refname="fimi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Lady Gaga|title=The Cure|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|certref={{cite web|url=https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/|title=Single Certification Search – Lady Gaga – The Cure|website=RadioScope|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=December 16, 2024}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Lady Gaga|title=The Cure|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|id=6870-2312-1|access-date=March 22, 2019|refname="bpi"|salesamount=431,000|salesref={{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Justin |title=Lady Gaga's Official Top 20 biggest songs in the UK revealed |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/lady-gagas-official-top-20-biggest-songs-in-the-uk-revealed__16218/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=5 June 2020}}}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Lady Gaga|title=The Cure|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=February 16, 2018|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for "The Cure" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| April 16, 2017 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Italy
| April 21, 2017 |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| April 25, 2017 | rowspan="2"| {{Hlist|Streamline|Interscope}} |
| May 8, 2017
| {{Hlist|Adult contemporary radio|hot adult contemporary radio|modern adult contemporary radio}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|vp8VZe5kqEM|"The Cure" (audio)}}
- {{YouTube|I4IXxzioDAk|"The Cure" (lyric video)}}
{{Lady Gaga songs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cure, The}}
Category:Interscope Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Lady Gaga
Category:Songs written by DJ White Shadow