The lyrics of “The Reasons Why” were taken from a suicide note sent to Robert Smith in 1987. NME called the song “epic … dark and weird.”
[Verse 1]
I won't try to bring you down about my suicide
Got no need to understand about my big surprise
I won't beg to hang you up about my love of life
If you promise not to sing about the reasons why
[Pre-Chorus 1]
I am writing you a letter, getting better, can I see you when
All the lights go out together, blame the weather, yeah, the cold again
In the darkness for a second, I am sure I see them smiling then
I feel them calling me, yeah, they are calling me
[Chorus]
And I'm falling through the stars (You remember now?)
Yeah, I'm falling in their arms (You remember how?)
Oh, I'm falling through the sky (You remember this?)
I am falling in their eyes (You remember the kiss?)
[Verse 2]
I won't try to pull you in about my sacrifice
Makes no sense to get upset about the other side
I won't beg to put you out about my right to die
If you promise not to sing about the reasons why
[Pre-Chorus]
I am calling you at midnight, feeling all right, can I tell you when?
On the line no sound but my words, must be night birds on the wire again
In the silence for a second, I am sure I hear them laughing then
I feel them calling me, yeah, they are calling me
[Chorus]
And I'm falling through the stars (You remember now?)
Yeah, I'm falling in their arms (You remember how?)
Oh, I'm falling through the sky (You remember this?)
I am falling in their eyes (You remember the kiss?)
[Bridge]
"We know," they said, "you're holding on
To nothing left of something gone"
"We know," they said, "in letting go
Of fear and dread and all you know
You'll lose the need of certainty
And make-believe eternity
To find the true reality
In beautiful infinity, yeah"
[Outro]
But I won't try to bring you down about my suicide
If you promise not to sing about the reasons why
The Reasons Why was written by Pearl Thompson & Simon Gallup & Jason Cooper & Robert Smith.
The Reasons Why was produced by Keith Uddin & Robert Smith.
The Cure released The Reasons Why on Mon Oct 27 2008.
Smith shared with NME that he knew the person who sent him the suicide note in 1987 that was used to form the lyrics to this song.
I knew the person who sent me the letter. It was a genuine suicide.