Lullaby

"Lullaby" is a song by English rock band the Cure from their eighth studio album, Disintegration (1989). Released as a single on 10 April 1989, the song is the band's highest-charting single in their home country, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart. It additionally reached number three in West Germany and Ireland while becoming a top-10 hit in several other European countries and New Zealand. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, won the British Video of the Year at the 1990 Brit Awards. Background The meaning of "Lullaby" has been speculated by fans, including as a metonymy for addiction, depression, or sexual assault, and Smith has offered multiple explanations as to its theme or content, such as childhood nightmares or abuse. One explanation by Smith follows that the song is about the disturbing songs his father sung to him as a kid, and the horrible ending they would always have. Tim Pope, a long-time collaborator of the Cure on many of its music videos, interprets "Lullaby" as an allegory for lead singer Robert Smith's drug-addled past. Chart performance Upon its release, "Lullaby" became the Cure's highest-charting hit in their home country when it reached number five on the UK Singles Chart. It remains their only single to reach the top five in the United Kingdom. In Ireland, "Lullaby" became the band's third top 10 hit and highest-charting single, reaching number three. The song also reached the top 10 in West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway. In North America, the song was released as the second single from Disintegration instead ("Fascination Street" was the first), but did not match its predecessor's level of success, only reaching number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. Critical reception Upon the release, a reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Those of you who feared the worst for the Cure's artistic future after 1986's "Why Can't I Be You?" and "Hot Hot Hot", can stop worrying. Their new single is serious pop music at its best. The backing is a strong, infectious rhythm with subtle plucked violins and sweeping strings, completed by Robert Smith's whispering voice. Although this is not the easiest record to programme it has already become many European DJs' favourite." Jerry Smith from Music Week felt the Cure "are back in superb form with an enveloping marshmallow of a track, exuding atmosphere with soaring strings and breathy vocals.