It’s Robert Smith’s birthday today — he’s 52 — and to commemorate the occasion, we present this U.K. television performance from 1984 that finds The Cure playing a trio of songs from what’s now one of the band’s most overlooked records, ‘The Top.’

This round of tidbits includes stories about The Cure covering Paul McCartney for a new tribute, Johnny Marr quitting The Cribs, the history of The Untouchables’ 1985 album ‘Wild Child’ and rock critic Greg Kot’s 10 favorite Wax Trax! releases.

This French TV report from sometime in 1987 features footage and interviews with both The Cure and Depeche Mode in the studio, as they work on their breakout albums ‘Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me’ and ‘Music For the Masses,’ respectively.

Following his smash turn guesting with Crystal Castles last year, Robert Smith of The Cure tries his hand at electronic music again, this time lending his distinctive vocals to Northern Ireland dance act The Japanese Popstars for their track ‘Take Forever.’ Hear a teaser here.

David Bowie next month will release a new live album recorded at his 50th birthday celebration in New York City in 1997, a 25-song set featuring guest appearances by The Cure’s Robert Smith, Lou Reed, Sonic Youth and the Pixies’ Frank Black.

Further evidence that Robert Smith may be revving up for an active 2011: The son of bassist Simon Gallup posted on Facebook that he was in the studio with The Cure last week, news that lit up fan sites and forums over the weekend.