🖤 About the Song
Jangly, bouncy, and heartbreaky-as-hell, In Between Days is The Cure at their most deceptively cheerful. It’s a sprint through regret — all sugar on top, feelings underneath — from an album where Robert Smith decided he could be gloomy and write hooks for days. Those chiming guitars? That racing hi-hat? It’s like a polaroid of a breakup taken mid-dance.
The genius is the contrast: lyrics that ache (“yesterday I got so old…”) set against a grin-inducing groove. It’s post-punk with a smiley face sticker on it, and somehow that makes the ache hit harder.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
- Core loop: G → Cmaj7 is the heart (yep, that shiny maj7 again). Verses swirl around G, Em, C, D flavours.
- Strum engine: Straight, tight eighths. Try DU DU DU DU and accent the downs to mimic that relentless Cure pulse.
- Tempo: ~130 bpm. Keep the wrist loose; you’re a metronome with good hair.
- Voicing tricks:
- Cmaj7 (0002 on a C-tuned uke) gives you instant “chime.”
- Keep the top strings ringing; avoid heavy muting — this song sparkles.
- Transitions: Practice G ↔ Cmaj7 without stopping. Plant your ring finger as an “anchor” to speed the switch.
- Build & release: Start the first verse a touch quieter, lift into the pre-chorus, and drive the chorus without getting shouty.
- Bonus lick (low-G friendly): Outline the opening riff by walking G–A–B on the low string while holding a G shape — it sells the vibe immediately.
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop at Parties
- The video (directed by Tim Pope) is peak mid-80s Cure: fast cuts, paintbox colours, and enough hair product to glue a pigeon to the ceiling.
- The Head on the Door was The Cure’s big global breakout — proof they could be arty and radio-friendly at once.
- That relentless motor rhythm inspired an army of jangly indie bands that came after. You can hear echoes everywhere.
🌈 Final Word
Don’t overthink it. Keep the strum brisk, the chords shiny, and the mood bittersweet. It’s dancing-through-tears music — if your foot isn’t tapping, your uke might be unplugged.
