In an interview with Zillo, it is revealed that “39” was written on Robert Smith’s 39th birthday. Its album Bloodflowers found much inspiration from how Smith felt about his upcoming 40th birthday and predicting (again) that this album would be The Cure’s last.

Based on this, one could easily surmise that “39” is about Smith losing the desire to write and tour as The Cure as he neared 40 years old. He admitted that while writing it, he originally felt this album would be his last, but ended up enjoying the process it so much that he was considering releasing another (which he did later in 2004).