A very kind person called HaloCure sent me the photo of all photos with the comment: “Although he famously hates being associated with the term “Goth”, this photo ticks all the boxes required, and then adds another twenty points for you know, being a photo of Robert Smith himself. Up a tree. Huge props and many thanks to Autumn from PicturesofYou.us for this pic.”

OMG WTF BBQ RBRT SMTH UP A TR(ee)!

Yes, he hates to be called a Goth.  But we, in the trade, know that the very Gothest of the Goths do not call themselves a ‘Goth’.  I have no doubt that he was sitting in this tree when he wrote ‘A Forest’.  I mean, really: “Come closer and see, see into the trees”, see that I’m up a tree that is being hugged by a Goth compatible wife while branches hold my jacket up in weird angles.  That’s how the original lyrics could have gone, I believe.

I like how his foot is dangling so you can get a clear view of his boot.  I like how he’s looking down at us plebs through the angle between his arm and the tree.  Points deducted for daylight but I feel, in the circumstances, that Robert Smith gets bonus points for being so Goth he denies being a Goth.

5 out of 5 - Come closer and see, see Robert Smith up a tree