Rare 12" Mix #1

Close To Me [Original 12" Extended Mix] - The Cure

There are many versions of this classic little tune around. There is the album version available on The Head On The Door. The remix edit on Standing On A Beach and The Greatest Hits, then there's a live version on Paris, the Closer Remix on Mixed Up and also a studio demo of the song on The Head On The Door - Deluxe Edition.

However, the best version of them all is totally unavailable in any kind of shop. It is the original 1985 extended remix released as a 12" single, available for a few months and then deleted never to be released again.

It's really cool because unlike most extended mixes it contains totally original material, that is, it's really an extended remix, not just a re-working or re-arrangement of the original song. The brass instrumental in the middle is not found on any other version, and was apparently an adaptation of a New Orleans funeral march. This version was only ever released on 12" vinyl in 1985 and is now totally unavailable, except perhaps 2nd hand on eBay, as it was deleted in the same year. If you're a Cure fan, this is very cool to hear!

check out the original video clip as well: