The Cure (song)
The Cure is a song by Lady Gaga, released as a standalone single on April 16, 2017, after she performed it at Coachella. It was written by Gaga with Lukas Nelson, Nick Monson, Mark Nilan, and Paul Blair (DJ White Shadow) and produced by Gaga, Monson, and Detroit City. The track runs about 3 minutes and 31 seconds and blends synth-pop with R&B influences.
The song came together in Los Angeles as a response to troubling events in the world, fueled by a positive, collaborative vibe. It was created quickly as a one-off release after production on other music, and Gaga later added it to the Joanne World Tour setlist.
Musically, The Cure starts with finger snaps and an electronic beat, building into a midtempo, dance-pop sound with shimmering synths. It’s written in A-flat major at around 100 BPM and centers on the healing power of love, with Gaga presenting herself as the person who can cure someone with her love. The chorus emphasizes that idea with lines like “If I can’t find the cure, I’ll fix you with my love.”
The Cure received mixed reviews. Some critics called it an uplifting, catchy departure from Gaga’s recent work and compared its 80s-inspired feel to dance-pop hits. Others labeled it generic or not as bold as her earlier pop releases. In late 2017, Billboard named it the 100th best song of the year.
On the charts, The Cure reached the top 40 in the United States, peaking at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. It sold well online, debuting at number three on Digital Songs with about 79,000 first-week downloads, and stayed on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks. It also charted well internationally, hitting the top 10 in Australia (peaking at 10) and reaching the top 20 in several other countries. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in the U.S. and gold or higher in several other regions, including a UK Gold certification in 2019.
A lyric video released on May 1, 2017, features Gaga in a simple room with swirling lyrics and changing colors. Gaga first performed The Cure at Coachella, then included it in the Joanne World Tour and performed it later at the American Music Awards in 2017. Critics noted the song’s uplifting message and danceable feel, and many enjoyed its summer-ready vibe.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 09:29 (CET).