Never Enough

Lore & Background

The song was unexpectedly guitar-oriented, featuring no synthesizers, which set it apart from most other Cure songs of this era. On the album, it is subtitled "Big Mix". Although Perry Bamonte is on the single cover and appears in the music video, he does not have a songwriting credit (as do the other four members). While containing no synthesizers, the song was nonetheless influenced by baggy music. The song's largely electronic B-side "Harold and Joe" was described by Chris Ott of Pitchfork as a "phenomenally adorable ecstasy tribute."

In Their Own Story

Upon release as a single, "Never Enough" topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for three weeks, and reached number 13 in the United Kingdom. The song was re-recorded using acoustic guitars for the 2001 Acoustic Hits album, which contains re-recordings of songs by the band, and was released as a bonus disc to Greatest Hits. The single was available in multiple formats: a 7-inch with "Never Enough" (4:28) and "Harold and Joe" (5:05); a 12-inch with "Never Enough" (Big Mix) (6:07), "Harold and Joe" (5:05), and "Let's Go to Bed" (Milk Mix) (7:16); and CD and cassette versions with the same three tracks plus the original "Never Enough" (4:28).

Reader's Guide

Personnel on the recording include Robert Smith on vocals and guitar, Simon Gallup on bass guitar, Porl Thompson on guitar, Boris Williams on drums, and Mark Saunders on mixing and remixing. The song's chart performance includes topping the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, reaching number three in Finland, and peaking within the top 20 in Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The single was released in September 1990 by Fiction Records.

Did You Know?

• The song features no synthesizers, unlike most other Cure songs of this era.
• Perry Bamonte appears on the single cover and in the music video but does not have a songwriting credit.
• The B-side "Harold and Joe" was described by Chris Ott of Pitchfork as a 'phenomenally adorable ecstasy tribute.'
• The song was re-recorded with acoustic guitars for the 2001 Acoustic Hits album.
• The single was released in September 1990 by Fiction Records from the remix album Mixed Up.