"The Caterpillar" is a song by English rock band
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in 1978 in Crawley, West Sussex. Throughout numerous lineup changes since the band's formation, guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter Robert Smith has remained the only constant member. The band's ...
, released as the sole single from their fifth studio album ''
The Top''. It was written by
Robert Smith and
Lol Tolhurst.
Music video
As with many other singles, the song's music video was directed by
Tim Pope
Timothy Michael Pope (born 12 February 1956) is a film director most known for his music videos, for having directed feature films, and for a brief pop career.
Early life and career
Pope grew up in the north London suburb of Enfield.
Both h ...
. It was shot in the Great Conservatory in
Syon Park
Syon Park is the garden of Syon House, the London home of the Duke of Northumberland in Isleworth in the London Borough of Hounslow. It was landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century, and it is Grade I listed by English Heritage under ...
, London.
Phil Thornalley
Philip Thornalley (born 5 January 1960) is an English songwriter-producer who has worked in the music industry since 1978. He is perhaps best known for co-writing (with Scott Cutler and Anne Preven) the song " Torn" (made famous by Natalie Im ...
and
Porl Thompson
Pearl Thompson (born 8 November 1957 as Paul Stephen ThompsonChris Gerrard (2021)The Cure FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About the Most Heartbreakingly Excellent Rock Band the World Has Ever Known. Backbeat, ISBN 9781493053988, p. 155) is an E ...
appear in the music video, but do not contribute to the song.
Release
"The Caterpillar" was the sole single released from the band's fifth album ''
The Top''. In early 1984, it spent seven weeks in the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
, peaking at number 14 on 7 April of that year. It spent five weeks on the Dutch charts in June 1984, reaching number 35 there on 2 June.
It reached number 51 on the Australian
Kent Music Report chart.
Track listing
; 7"
# "The Caterpillar" (3:40)
# "Happy the Man" (2:45)
; 12"
# "The Caterpillar" (3:40)
# "Happy the Man" (2:45)
# "Throw Your Foot" (3:32)
Personnel
*
Robert Smith – vocals, guitar, bass, violin
*
Andy Anderson – percussion
*
Lol Tolhurst – keyboards
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Caterpillar, The
1984 singles
The Cure songs
Songs written by Robert Smith (musician)
Music videos directed by Tim Pope
1984 songs
Fiction Records singles
Songs written by Lol Tolhurst
Song recordings produced by David M. Allen