# The 13th

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1996 single by The Cure

This article is about the 1996 rock single by the Cure. For other uses, see [13 (disambiguation)](/source/13_(disambiguation)).

"The 13th" Single by the Cure from the album Wild Mood Swings B-side "It Used to Be Me" "Ocean" "Adonais" Released 22 April 1996 (1996-04-22) Genre Mariachi[1] Length 4:16 Label Fiction Composers Perry Bamonte Jason Cooper Simon Gallup Roger O'Donnell Robert Smith Lyricist Robert Smith Producers Robert Smith Steve Lyon The Cure singles chronology "A Letter to Elise" (1992) "The 13th" (1996) "Mint Car" (1996)

"**The 13th**" is a song by English rock band [the Cure](/source/The_Cure), released as the first single from the band's 10th studio album, *[Wild Mood Swings](/source/Wild_Mood_Swings)* (1996), on 22 April 1996. The song reached the top 20 in several territories, including Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and [Wallonia](/source/Wallonia). It charted the highest in Hungary, where it reached number two, and in Italy, where it peaked at number five.

## Background

Bassist [Simon Gallup](/source/Simon_Gallup) discussed the creation of the track in a contemporary interview, "That was one of [Robert's](/source/Robert_Smith_(musician)) songs, initially called *Two Chord Cool.* because it was just two chords strummed on a guitar. It was one of the songs we had recorded; we kept adding bits of percussion and then we'd put it away and then add more to it." he also viewed the song as "tacky" and "tongue-in-cheek".[2]

## Release

The song reached number 15 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) and number 44 on the US [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100). The song was played very few times during the Swing Tour and never again since the tour.

## Reception

Writing for [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic), Ned Raggett rated the single four stars out of five and noted the unexpected tone of the song: "There's no question that 'The 13th' was probably one of the Cure's most unexpected singles -- though horns had appeared on the single mix of '[Close to Me](/source/Close_to_Me_(The_Cure_song))' back in 1985, the distinctly [Latin](/source/Latin_music_(genre)) percussion and brass on the song here was something else entirely!"[3]

*[Clash](/source/Clash_(magazine))* magazine said that, alongside "[Gone!](/source/Gone!_(The_Cure_song))", "The 13th" has become known for dividing fans, describing them as "love/hate affairs", but noted they "still [show] a band happy to experiment and play with conventions."[4] Peter Parrish described "The 13th" as "a pseudo-latin number with a not-especially-hidden message about giving in to your lust."[5]

## Music video

The music video of the song shows [Robert Smith](/source/Robert_Smith_(musician)), dressed in ripped velvet dress, lying on his bed and watching a TV broadcast where he performs with the Cure. Comedian [Sean Hughes](/source/Sean_Hughes_(comedian)) also appears in the video.[6]

## Track listings

All tracks were written by Smith, Gallup, Bamonte, Cooper, and O'Donnell.

UK CD1 and Australian CD single[7][8] "The 13th" (swing radio mix) "It Used to Be Me" "The 13th" (Killer Bee mix) UK CD2[9] "The 13th" (Two Chord Cool mix) "Ocean" "Adonais" European CD and cassette single[10][11] "The 13th" (swing radio mix) "It Used to Be Me" US CD1 and cassette single[12][13] "The 13th" (swing radio mix) "Adonais" US CD2 and Canadian CD single[14][15] "The 13th" (Two Chord Cool mix) "Ocean" "It Used to Be Me" "The 13th" (Killer Bee mix) Japanese CD single[16] "The 13th" (swing radio mix) "It Used to Be Me" "Ocean" "Adonais"

## Personnel

**The Cure**

- [Robert Smith](/source/Robert_Smith_(musician)) – vocals, guitar, trumpet arrangements

- [Simon Gallup](/source/Simon_Gallup) – bass

- [Perry Bamonte](/source/Perry_Bamonte) – guitar

- [Roger O'Donnell](/source/Roger_O'Donnell) – keyboards

- [Jason Cooper](/source/Jason_Cooper_(musician)) – drums, percussion

**Additional musicians**

- Jesus Alemany – trumpet

- Steve Dawson – trumpet

- Sid Gauld – trumpet arrangements

**Technical**

- Steve Lyon – production, [engineering](/source/Audio_engineering)

- Robert Smith – production

- Spike Drake – mixing

- Ian Cooper – [mastering](/source/Audio_mastering)

## Charts

Chart (1996) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[17] 31 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 43 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 12 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[20] 17 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[21] 30 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[22] 11 Germany (GfK)[23] 55 Hungary (Mahasz)[24] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[25] 22 Italy (Musica e dischi)[24] 5 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] 37 Scotland Singles (OCC)[27] 23 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[28] 20 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 29 UK Singles (OCC)[30] 15 US Billboard Hot 100[31] 44 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[32] 15 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[33] 11

## Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s). United States 8 April 1996 Triple A college alternative radio Elektra Fiction [34][35] United Kingdom 22 April 1996 CD cassette Fiction [36] United States 23 April 1996 Elektra Fiction [34] 29 April 1996 Top 40 radio Japan 1 June 1996 CD Polydor Fiction [37]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. ["Galore: The Singles 1987–1997 – The Cure"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r315457). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Interview: The Cure's Wild Mood Swings"](https://www.musicfanclubs.org/cure/press/I77.html). *www.musicfanclubs.org*. Retrieved 2024-10-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Raggett, Ned. ["AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-13th-mw0000187685). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 25 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Walker-Smart, Sam (6 September 2016). ["Complete Guide: The Cure"](http://www.clashmusic.com/features/complete-guide-the-cure). *Clash*. Retrieved 25 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Parrish, Peter (9 November 2004). ["Playing God: The Cure - Wild Mood Swings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140330023100/http://stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/the-cure-wild-mood-swings.htm). *Stylus*. Archived from [the original](http://stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/the-cure-wild-mood-swings.htm) on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SeanH_6-0)** ["Making Wild Mood Swings pay off"](http://www.musicfanclubs.org/cure/press/I53.html). Music Fan Club. 22 April 1996. Retrieved 16 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [The Cure](/source/The_Cure) (1996). *The 13th* (UK CD1 liner notes). [Fiction Records](/source/Fiction_Records). 576 469-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (Australian CD single liner notes). Fiction Records. 0630148512.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (UK CD2 liner notes). Fiction Records. 576 493-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (European CD single liner notes). Fiction Records. 576692-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (European cassette single sleeve). Fiction Records. 576 468-4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (US CD1 liner notes). [Elektra Records](/source/Elektra_Records), Fiction Records. 64292-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (US cassette single sleeve). Elektra Records, Fiction Records. 4-64292.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (US CD2 liner notes). Elektra Records, Fiction Records. 66036-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (Canadian CD single liner notes). Elektra Records, Fiction Records. CD 66036.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** The Cure (1996). *The 13th* (Japanese CD single liner notes). [Polydor Records](/source/Polydor_Records), Fiction Records. POCP-7141.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Australia_The_Cure_17-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)". [ARIA Top 50 Singles](/source/ARIA_Charts).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Flanders_The_Cure_18-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Wallonia_The_Cure_19-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)" (in French). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Canadarock_20-0)** "[Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Image 2989](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2989&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2989.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2989)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved 23 February 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-05-25.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 13, no. 21. 25 May 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 21 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Finland_The_Cure_The_13th_22-0)** "[The Cure: The 13th](https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/the-cure/kappale/the-13th)" (in Finnish). [Musiikkituottajat](/source/Musiikkituottajat).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Germany_Cure_23-0)** "[Offizielle Deutsche Charts](https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-3213)" (in German). [GfK Entertainment charts](/source/GfK_Entertainment_charts). To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-m&m_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-m&m_24-1) ["Top National Sellers"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-05-25.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 13, no. 21. 25 May 1996. p. 18. Retrieved 16 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Ireland2_25-0)** "[The Irish Charts – Search Results – The 13 th](http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=The%2013%20th)". [Irish Singles Chart](/source/Irish_Singles_Chart). Retrieved 14 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_New_Zealand_The_Cure_26-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)". [Top 40 Singles](/source/Official_Aotearoa_Music_Charts).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Scotland_The_Cure_27-0)** "[Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 4/5/1996 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19960504/41/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 13 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Sweden_The_Cure_28-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)". [Singles Top 100](/source/Sverigetopplistan).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Switzerland_The_Cure_29-0)** "[The Cure – The 13th](http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Cure&titel=The+13th&cat=s)". [Swiss Singles Chart](/source/Swiss_Hitparade).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UK_The_Cure_30-0)** "[Official Singles Chart on 28/4/1996 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19960428/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardhot100_The_Cure_31-0)** "[The Cure Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/The-Cure/chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardalternativesongs_The_Cure_32-0)** "[The Cure Chart History (Alternative Airplay)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/The-Cure/chart-history/MRT)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 13 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboarddancesales_The_Cure_33-0)** "[The Cure Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/The-Cure/chart-history/DSA)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 17 August 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-usrel_34-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-usrel_34-1) Sexton, Paul (30 March 1996). "Cure Captures 'Wild Mood Swings'". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Vol. 108, no. 13. pp. 18, 41.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** "Be on the Lookout". *[Gavin Report](/source/Gavin_Report)*. No. 2099. 5 April 1996. p. 28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["New Releases: Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-04-20.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 20 April 1996. p. 27. Retrieved 17 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Cure Discography"](https://web.archive.org/web/19990224125215/http://www.polygram.co.jp/music/intl/cure/disco.html) (in Japanese). [PolyGram](/source/PolyGram). Archived from [the original](http://www.polygram.co.jp/music/intl/cure/disco.html) on 24 February 1999. Retrieved 27 August 2023.

## External links

- *[The 13th](https://www.discogs.com/master/32083)* at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

v t e The Cure Robert Smith Simon Gallup Roger O'Donnell Jason Cooper Reeves Gabrels Andy Anderson Perry Bamonte Michael Dempsey Matthieu Hartley Pearl Thompson Phil Thornalley Lol Tolhurst Boris Williams Studio albums Three Imaginary Boys Seventeen Seconds Faith Pornography The Top The Head on the Door Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me Disintegration Wish Wild Mood Swings Bloodflowers The Cure 4:13 Dream Songs of a Lost World Live albums Concert: The Cure Live Entreat Show Paris Bestival Live 2011 Compilations Boys Don't Cry Japanese Whispers Standing on a Beach/Staring at the Sea Galore Greatest Hits Join the Dots Remix albums Mixed Up Torn Down Mixes of a Lost World Extended plays The Peel Sessions Festival 2005 Hypnagogic States EP Video releases The Cure in Orange Trilogy Festival 2005 Tours The Cure: 'Reflections' Shows of a Lost World Related articles Discography Songs Band members Perfect as Cats: A Tribute to the Cure Babacar COGASM Fools Dance The Glove Levinhurst The Magazine Spies Presence Shelleyan Orphan Siouxsie and the Banshees Nocturne Hyæna Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The 13th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_13th?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.