The TikTok Miracle: How a 1979 “Flop” Just Hit 1 Billion Streams for The Cure

History has been made for the icons of post-punk. As of January 19, 2026, The Cure’s legendary anthem “Boys Don’t Cry” has officially joined the Spotify Billions Club.

While the track was initially released as a standalone single in the UK in 1979—and later served as the title track for the 1980 American debut—this marks the first time in the band’s 47-year history that a single has surpassed the one-billion-stream threshold.

The Robert Smith Rebellion

The song’s resurgence in 2026 feels particularly poignant given frontman Robert Smith’s long-standing philosophy on the track. Speaking previously to Rolling Stone, Smith noted that the song was a direct rebellion against the “stiff upper lip” of 1970s English culture.

“As an English boy at the time, you’re encouraged not to show your emotion to any degree,” Smith explained. “I thought, ‘Well, it’s part of my nature to rail against being told not to do something.’”

Though Smith has humorously called his early pop hits “naive to the point of insanity,” that very naivety has allowed the song to find a massive second life on TikTok, where the chorus has become a viral anthem for emotional transparency in recent months.

A Bittersweet Celebration

This historic victory comes during a period of mourning for the band and their global fanbase. Late last year, in December 2025, the group lost longtime member Perry Bamonte.

Bamonte, who transitioned from the band’s roadie in the 80s to a full-time guitarist and keyboardist in 1990, was a vital part of the “gothic and glittery” sound that sustained The Cure’s popularity through their most successful decades. His passing adds a layer of reflection to a milestone that celebrates the band’s enduring legacy.

Critical Acclaim: Still Top Tier

The industry continues to recognize the track as a masterpiece of the genre:

Billboard: Ranked “Boys Don’t Cry” at No. 4 on their 40 Greatest Cure Songs list.
Mojo: Placed the track at No. 3 in their most recent 2023 retrospective.