Here’s a bold statement: one of The Cure’s most iconic tracks, ‘Boys Don’t Cry,’ has just hit a monumental milestone—over a billion streams on Spotify. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite its massive popularity, the version you’ve been streaming isn’t the only one out there. In fact, a rare 1986 remix, featuring a fresh vocal take from Robert Smith, has remained largely hidden from the digital world—until now. And this is the part most people miss: this lesser-known version, now dubbed ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix),’ is finally getting its moment in the spotlight with a reissue on CD, 12-inch vinyl, and seven-inch vinyl, complete with remastered audio by Matt Colton and bonus tracks like ‘Pillbox Tales’ and ‘Do The Hansa.’
Originally released as a standalone single in 1979, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ became the title track for the US edition of The Cure’s debut album, Three Imaginary Boys. Fast forward to 1986, and the band dropped a revamped version—‘New Voice – New Mix’—to promote their ‘best of’ compilation, Staring At The Sea – The Singles. Ironically, the compilation itself stuck with the original 1979 recording, leaving the 1986 remix as a rare gem, especially on CD and in digital formats. All those billions of streams? They’re for the older version.
Now, the 1986 mix is getting the treatment it deserves. Re-released as ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 Mix),’ it’s available on CD single, 12-inch vinyl, and seven-inch vinyl, alongside 12-inch mixes and original B-sides. The CD single drops on January 30, while the vinyl editions won’t hit shelves until April 21, 2026—both via Fiction. Here’s the kicker: Is this long-overlooked version the definitive take on the classic track? Or does the original still reign supreme? Let’s spark some debate in the comments.
For those eager to snag this piece of music history, pre-orders are live on Amazon UK. The CD single is priced at £4.99, while the 12-inch vinyl will set you back £19.99. The tracklist includes the 2026 remaster of the 86 Mix, ‘Plastic Passion (79 Mix),’ ‘Pillbox Tales (86 Mix),’ ‘Do The Hansa (86 Mix),’ and the extended ‘Boys Don’t Cry (86 12″ Mix).
At SuperDeluxeEdition.com, we’re passionate about helping fans discover and celebrate physical music releases. To keep the site free, we participate in affiliate programs like Amazon and earn from qualifying purchases. So, whether you’re a die-hard Cure fan or just discovering their timeless sound, this reissue is a must-have addition to your collection. But don’t just take our word for it—dive into the debate: which version of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ do you think stands the test of time?
