Wrong Number

The Cure's 'Wrong Number' is a vivid, surreal exploration of confusion, disorientation, and the darker sides of human experience. The song's lyrics are rich with psychedelic imagery, using colors like lime green, tangerine, burn red, and gold to paint a picture of a mind in turmoil. These colors are not just visual elements but metaphors for the 'snakes' and 'devil' that haunt the narrator's dreams and reality. The repetition of these colors emphasizes the persistent and invasive nature of these troubling visions.

The narrative of the song suggests a journey that starts with hope and ends in despair. The lines 'I had the best laid plans this side of America / Started out in church and finished with angelica' indicate a fall from grace, a descent from a place of purity and order to one of chaos and dirt. The mention of 'angelica' could be a reference to a person or a state of innocence that has been lost. The recurring theme of digging in the dirt symbolizes a search for something lost or a struggle to find meaning in a confusing and hostile world.

The chorus, with its repeated question 'Is there room in your life for one more trip to the moon?' suggests a longing for escape or transcendence. However, the song ends on a note of disconnection and miscommunication with the line 'Sorry, wrong number,' highlighting the sense of isolation and misunderstanding that pervades the song. The Cure, known for their gothic rock and post-punk style, often delve into themes of existential angst and emotional complexity, and 'Wrong Number' is a quintessential example of their ability to blend haunting lyrics with evocative music to create a powerful emotional experience.