Wrong Number

Lore & Background

Released on 17 November 1997, "Wrong Number" marked The Cure's first release with guitarist Reeves Gabrels, who would later become a full band member. The music video, directed by frequent collaborator Tim Pope, includes surreal imagery: the band playing in a space covered in powder, Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Smith surrounded by a snake. The single was issued in multiple formats—UK CD, European CD, and UK 12"—each with distinct track listings. The UK CD includes the original 6:02 version plus four remixes: the Analogue Exchange Mix (4:49), P2P Mix (8:12), Crossed Line Mix (8:34), and ISDN Mix (7:08). The European CD swaps the P2P and Crossed Line mixes for a Digital Exchange Mix (7:08) and a Dub Analogue Exchange Mix (5:34). The UK 12" splits five tracks across two sides: Side A features the original, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix (5:55), and Engaged Mix (6:32); Side B has the P2P Mix and Digital Exchange Mix. A total of eleven versions and remixes are documented, including an Acoustic Mix (5:55) and a 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) that appears only on *Greatest Hits Rarities*.

In Their Own Story

The single "Wrong Number" arrived on 17 November 1997, a standalone release from The Cure's compilation *Galore*. It was the band's first track to feature Reeves Gabrels on guitar—though he wasn't yet a full member. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, presents a series of striking images: the band plays in a room filled with powder, Robert Smith appears in a wedding scene, floating faces drift through space, and a snake coils around Smith. The single was issued in three physical formats: a UK CD (with the original and four remixes), a European CD (with a different set of four remixes), and a UK 12" vinyl (with five tracks split across two sides). Among the many remixes are the Radio Mix (4:24), Digital Exchange Mix (7:09), Analogue Exchange Mix (4:50), Dub Analogue Exchange Mix (5:55), ISDN Mix (7:08), Crossed Line Mix (8:35), Engaged Mix (6:32), P2P Mix (8:12), Acoustic Mix (5:55), and a 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) exclusive to *Greatest Hits Rarities*.

Reader's Guide

The Cure's "Wrong Number" was released as a single on 17 November 1997, appearing on the compilation *Galore*. It is notable as the first Cure song to feature Reeves Gabrels, who played guitar on the track before becoming a full band member. The music video, directed by Tim Pope, includes four key visual elements: the band playing in a place with powder all around, Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Smith being surrounded by a snake. The single was released in three formats: UK CD (original 6:02 plus Analogue Exchange Mix 4:49, P2P Mix 8:12, Crossed Line Mix 8:34, ISDN Mix 7:08), European CD (original plus Analogue Exchange Mix 4:49, Digital Exchange Mix 7:08, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix 5:34), and UK 12" (Side A: original, Dub Analogue Exchange Mix 5:55, Engaged Mix 6:32; Side B: P2P Mix, Digital Exchange Mix 7:09). Additional remixes include a Radio Mix (4:24), Acoustic Mix (5:55), and a 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) found only on *Greatest Hits Rarities*. Personnel on the track: Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards), Jason Cooper (drums), and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).

Did You Know?

• "Wrong Number" was released on 17 November 1997 as a single from The Cure's compilation album *Galore*.
• It is the first song The Cure released to feature Reeves Gabrels, though he was not a full time member at the time.
• The music video was directed by Tim Pope and includes Robert Smith getting married, floating faces in space, and Smith being surrounded by a snake.
• The UK CD single includes five tracks: the original 6:02 version plus four remixes (Analogue Exchange Mix, P2P Mix, Crossed Line Mix, ISDN Mix).
• A 16b (Crossed Line) Warm Vocal Mix (5:30) is only available on the compilation *Greatest Hits Rarities*.