The Cure Re-Enters the Charts Thanks to Olivia Rodrigo

It's been 38 years since The Cure released 'Just Like Heaven.'

While the track has remained an enduring pop classic, a shout-out from Olivia Rodrigo has the post-punk rockers back in the zeitgeist and on the Billboard 200.

"I know that the bar closes at 11 / But I hope that you never finish that beer/ You know all the words to 'Just Like Heaven' / And I know why he wrote them now that you're standin' right here, " sings Rodrigo on 'Drop Dead,' the lead single from her third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.

With this new track, released on April 26, 2026, Rodrigo became the first artist in history to debut three lead singles from their first three albums at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Cure got a bump on the Billboard charts as well, with their compilation album Greatest Hits re-entering the Hot 200 at No.96.

Rodrigo has previously cited The Cure as one of her biggest musical inspirations, bringing them out onstage during her headlining slot at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival to perform 'Just Like Heaven' and 'Friday I'm In Love.' The band's frontman, Robert Smith, shared withBritish Vogue that the admiration is mutual.

"I bought Sour, and then Guts (both on CD!)" said Smith, referring to Rodrigo's first two LPs. "Although most of the songs on those two albums are not really ‘aimed at my demographic'(!), they are all so good that it is hard not to fall in love with them."

Hearteningly, Rodrigo and Smith have continued their intergenerational friendship. "She calls me up quite a bit to talk about clothes and fashion – and we have enjoyed a couple of memorable nights in the studio together," he adds. "Can't wait to hear what she does next!"

'Just Like Heaven' Was The Cure's American Breakthrough

While 'Just Like Heaven' was the third single released from The Cure's seventh album, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, it proved to be their first American hit. The effervescent love song rose to No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and laid the groundwork for subsequent singles 'Lovesong' and 'Friday I'm in Love' to reach higher peaks - No. 2 in 1989 and No. 18 in 1992, respectively.

Smith revealed in 2003 that the song was inspired by a romantic escape to the English coast with his future wife, Mary Poole.

"The song is about hyperventilating - kissing and fainting to the floor," he said. "Mary dances with me in the video because she was the girl, so it had to be her. The idea is that one night like that is worth 1,000 hours of drudgery."

'Just Like Heaven' has inspired countless lovers in the nearly four decades since its release, as well as the 2005 Reese Witherspoon comedy of the same name. Rolling Stone ranked the track at No. 108 on its list of the 500 Best Songs of All Time.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 7:25 AM.