[Verse 1]
It started with a dedication, lost in admiration
"Happy birthday, I'm forever yours"
Blossom faded red inside a tiny book of butterflies
I smiled, surprised at how when flickered through
The wings flew by spelled out my name
[Pre-Chorus 1]
Six months went by, the summer lost
Obsessively the letters dropped into my life
The same soft blood smooth flowing hand
"Please try to understand
I have to see you, have to feel you
Tell you all the ways I need you
Yours, forever in love"
[Chorus 1]
Strange attraction spreads its wings
It varies but the smallest things
You never know how anything will change
Strange attraction spreads its wings
And alters but the smallest things
You never know how anything will fade
[Verse 2]
The year grew old, incessantly she wrote to me
She'd started smoking poetry
I laughed in recognition of a favorite phrase
She'd pulled me in, I answered her
A Christmas card in sepia
Arranging when and where and how the two of us should meet
[Pre-Chorus 2]
Her opening so well-prepared
A nervous smile, I couldn't take my eyes from her
She whispered, "Can I use some of your lipstick?"
It was perfect, so believable, I couldn't help but feel that it was real
And kissing crimson, fell into her waiting arms
[Chorus 1]
Strange attraction spreads its wings
It varies but the smallest things
You never know how anything will change
Strange attraction spreads its wings
And alters but the smallest things
You never know how anything will fade
[Verse 3]
So alone into the cold new year without another word from her
I wrote to ask if we could maybe meet again before the spring
But weeks went by with no reply until once more my birthday came
And with it my surprise but this time nothing was the same
[Pre-Chorus 3]
I'm sorry, blame infatuation, blame imagination
I was sure you'd be the one but I was wrong
It seems reality destroys our dreams, I won't forget you
Blossom faded red inside a tiny book of old goodbyes
[Chorus 2]
Strange attraction spreads its wings
It varies but the smallest things
You never know how anything will change
Strange attraction spreads its wings
And alters but the smallest things
And you never know, and you never know
Strange Attraction was written by Robert Smith & Simon Gallup & Jason Cooper & Perry Bamonte.
Strange Attraction was produced by Steve Lyon & Robert Smith.
The Cure released Strange Attraction on Tue Nov 19 1996.
In a 1996 Rolling Stone article, Robert Smith confirmed that “Strange Attraction” was written about a fan:
… turning himself into the victim of a fan’s obsessions on “Strange Attraction” (a true story, he confirms).