Tears for Fears: Music in a Mad World (III)

Hello, welcome back to my Tears for Fears saga. Although the second edition covered my favorite albums, I have to finish the band’s history. So I present to you all the third and final Tears for Fears post.

I have a lot of upcoming sad and reflective blog posts, so enjoy my enthusiasm while you still can. (:

Anyway, hi, how are you? Day 390890 since I last saw the sun: must…write…cursed band blog. But, seriously, music has done a lot for me lately.

Important Note: I am not obsessed with Tears for Fears; I only spend a lot of time researching them randomly to procrastinate. Also, I think they are underrated. This blog will be shorter than part two and will include best song lyrics, etc.


In part two, I covered their first three albums:

  • The Hurting
    • (1983)
    • Top Songs: “Mad World” and “Pale Shelter”
    • Criticized for being too depressing // moderate publicity
  • Songs from the Big Chair
    • (1985)
    • Top Songs: “Shout”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, and “Head Over Heels”
    • Worldwide fame and success // considered their most popular album
  • The Seeds of Love
    • (1989)
    • Top Songs: “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and “Advice for the Young at Heart”
    • Less success // last album before band’s break-up

In-Between Era:

1991:

Tears for Fears split, Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal going their separate ways (neither of them solely deserve the blame; it was a collaboration of different reasons…like a manager’s bankruptcy and fraud…)

The falling out between Curt and Roland proved pretty ugly, though.

1992:

Roland Orzabal continued to operate under the name Tears for Fears (Curt technically left, f.y.i.) and released a single titled Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down). 

I find this song fairly catchy. It retains the earthy yet musical sound of The Seeds of Love yet promises something new. The lyrics obviously provide a glimpse into Roland’s mind after the band’s separation. The two had stayed friends since their teenage years, and now they refused to even talk to each other. All in all, I like the lyrics and the interesting textures.

1993:

Curt Smith moved to New York (Roland continuing to live in England). During this year, he decided to release a solo album titled Soul on Board. Needless to say, it did not gain much popularity, and it failed to be successful. Curt, however, continued with music and even formed a musical partnership (Mayfield) with a local songwriter and producer.


Elemental Era (1993):

Elemental (Tears for Fears album) - Wikipedia

Roland released the album Elemental, without Curt (obviously), in 1993. The album featured international hit “Break It Down Again” and another successful world tour.

Singles: “Cold”, “Elemental”, and “Goodnight Song”.

I have no idea what is happening in this video, but it makes me smile for two reasons. One: I find this song sort of uplifting and brilliant. Two: I can never take Roland seriously. Why are there so many videos of him standing in the middle of nowhere dancing poorly and singing? But his dance moves are definitely iconic. Anyway, I like this song. It has interesting rhythm and flavors. Also, you can notice a shift in Roland’s lyrics and his voice. This song has an overall interesting audio and lyrical story.

This is one of my favorite songs from Elemental. It has interesting textures, and it is an original take on a classic sound. It feels light and airy compared to the rest of the album. I like the guitar’s story, also; its sound adds even more flavor.

I uploaded this song because it has significant (and hilarious) meaning. Roland basically roasts Curt with every lyric.

  • With all your high class friends you think you’ve got it made
    The only thing you made was that tanned look on your face”
  • “With all your cigarettes and fancy cars
    You ain’t a clue who or what you are”
  • “You’re dreaming your life away
    Fish out of water”
  • And my personal favorite: “Now in Neptune’s kitchen you will be food for killer whales”  (Neptune’s Kitchen is the name of Roland’s home studio)

However, Curt lashed back at Roland with another song, finding Roland’s “Fish Out of Water” hilarious. Perhaps “Sun King” was inspired by The Beatles, as they have a song by the same name.

Lyrical Highlights:

  • “The evidence is on the page
    Not much to show for so much rage
    It makes me smile
    You lost it somehow”
  • “A small imbalanced vain recluse
    You use the planets to excuse
    Your costumed smile
    Your childish abuse”

My thoughts? Ow…

They came a long way from this:

Roland Orzabal Dance GIF - RolandOrzabal Dance MadWorld - Discover ...

(My favorite Tears for Fears gif because of Roland’s bizarre dancing)

Overall, Elemental is probably my fourth favorite album. Roland had an interesting comeback. His lyrics became more bold, and his style of singing became more caustic, almost. But he continued to hold onto fame and impactful lyrics.

Break It Down Again - Wikipedia


Raoul and the Kings of Spain Era (1995):

Tears for Fears - Raoul and the Kings of Spain - Amazon.com Music

Roland, still working under the band’s name without Curt, released contemplative album Raoul and the Kings of Spain in 1995. The album was not particularly successful (when considering their other albums), but it landed in the top 40 in the UK. This album explored Latin influence and Roland’s own Spanish heritage. (Raoul was a name Roland’s parents considered naming him).

“Falling Down” is one of my favorites from this album. I like its simplicity, but it has a lot of seasoning. I also find the lyrics interesting…This song, overall, is quite cynical, and it reminds of falling rain.

Roland definitely veered from synth pop and gave a shot at rock. Raoul and the Kings of Spain is my least favorite TFF album, but its songs are catchy and not too entirely “eh”. With this song specifically, I find the lyrics and sound okay. Again, it has a cynical air to it (but this is Tears for Fears; they have always been cynical). I like the flow of this song, however. It is not static.

Overall, I listen to this album the least, but I would not call it horrible; that is only my taste in music. I like the older albums more because I like new wave music. Anyway, I commend Roland for producing this album so quickly and for not cheating fans of Tears for Fears with lazy lyrics and over-produced ideas. Instead of chasing money, he delved into an unusual side of music and wrote this album for himself. And, as a result, he kept the band alive and created something that I will definitely listen to.


2001:

Tomcats Screaming Outside - Wikipedia

This year, Roland released a solo album under his own name, Tomcats Screaming Outside. No, Tears for Fears was not dead, but Roland took a break from the guitar approach of the band to revisit a more electronic sound.

Actually, I listened to this album for the first time today, so that shows you its popularity. It had the luck of being released on September 11, 2001, so obviously that is part of the reason.


Everybody Loves a Happy Ending Era (2004): 

(2001) After not speaking to each other for nearly a decade (literally) paperwork obligations prompted Roland and Curt to break their silence and resume contact. Curt flew to England to have dinner with Roland and discuss a new album.

gasp.

After less than six months of recording, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending was released in 2004 by both Roland and Curt, their first album together since 1989’s The Seeds of Love. Tours followed.

Tears for Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending - Amazon.com Music

What the heck is going on in this album cover? 

Although I am past understanding this band’s music videos, this is one of my favorites. Actually, this is one of my favorite songs by Tears for Fears in general. I love the lyrics, and I missed Curt’s voice. The guitar and the piano bring something nice, and I like how carefree and colorful this song is despite its lyrics, which carry some weight (and makes this song even more awesome).

I love this song. The guitar has such a nice swaying sound to it. And the harmonizing is pretty neat. All in all, I like to listen to this and feel at peace with the world. It is quite calming. And I like how it has its crescendos before returning to the same lilting state.

I like this song, also. It has a neat, uplifting sound, and I like the different textures.

All in all, I like this album quite a bit, and I am so glad that Curt and Roland decided to work together again. They definitely experimented with a lot of classic sounds and made them their own, and they experimented with new sounds in general. This album, like every other TFF album, has its own unique sound. It is definitely one of their most positive albums, so I enjoy its existence whenever I want to listen to something of its flavor. I give it a substantial rating.

Black-is-no-colour — Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith of Tears for ...


What Next?

Tears for Fears have not released another album (as of 4/14/20), but Roland and Curt still play music together.

Random Fact: These guys went on tour with Spandau Ballet (2010) and also Hall & Oates (2017).

Spandau Ballet:

Hall & Oates:

2017:

Tears for Fears released a new song titled “I Love You But I’m Lost”. It explored a modern sound. I find it pretty catchy.


So, there you have it: the history of Tears for Fears—parts one, two, and three.

No one can say exactly when it all truly began, but it is reasonable to think that an album named The Hurting, released in 1983, started Tears for Fears’ journey in the music industry. Since then, mullets and synthesizers gave way to something else. Every album stands as a moment in time, unique and unalike any other. And although Tears for Fears will continue to be mainly remembered as an English 80’s duo of terrible dancing, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, and mullets paired with trench coats, I disagree. Tears for Fears is a product of constant growth and creative inspiration, hope within darkness, and a journey—one that began in Bath, England, before quickly escalating to stardom and right back again. So, although I laugh at their music videos and the faces they make while singing, I have such great respect for this band. They inspire me a great deal, and I love what they stand for.


I wish I could review all of their songs, but I will only leave a few of my favorite lyrics:

  • “The Prisoner” (The Hurting) — the entire song
  • “Start of the Breakdown” (The Hurting) — “We stand firm with our heads in our hands”
  • “The Working Hour” (Songs from the Big Chair) — “We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes”
  • “I Believe” (Songs from the Big Chair) — the entire song
  • “Famous Last Words” (The Seeds of Love) — the entire song
  • “Break It Down Again” — “And all the love and all the love in the world
    Won’t stop the rain from falling”
  • “Bloodletting Go” (1996 compilation album) — “If I care for nothing
    Sun don’t shine and the grass don’t grow”
  • “Closest Thing to Heaven” (Everybody Loves a Happy Ending) — “Look the world right in the eye
    Eat the countries that are making billions
    Sweet as homemade apple pie
    Save the crumbs for all the starving millions”

I might individually review songs by Tears for Fears in the future, someday, because I love so much about so many songs, and I love picking music apart.


I may have dumped way too many pictures and videos, but I wanted to create a source for myself to look back at during the future. I went beyond Wikipedia to create this, and I have watched so many interviews and documentaries that I wanted to share my knowledge. So if you ever need to complete a research project on Tears for Fears or just want to listen to some music, feel free to visit this collection of posts anytime. Again, I am not obsessed, but I can name fifty Tears for Fears songs off the top of my head (sadly not joking), and I have a fairly detailed understanding of their history; I guess that is something to add to my resume, haha.

All in all, I rate this band a 10000/10. I know they will never read this, but I would like to thank them for helping me get through three-hour car rides, math homework, grey days, cleaning nights, and quarantine. And I love how you can relate to their lyrics so much, anytime. For instance: “Mothers Talk” (Songs from the Big Chair) “Wake me up when things get started
When everything starts to happen” 
… is literally how I feel right now.


Wednesday’s Fun Fact:

Besides the fact that I know way too much about an English band that peaked in the 80s, I want everyone to know that the sun still rises and sets everyday. Continue to have hope and believe in yourselves because there will be an end to all of this. Also, your favorite food and music exists.


Time for sad blogs…

peace

Author: Callie Matthews

"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." - The Book Thief

One thought on “Tears for Fears: Music in a Mad World (III)”

  1. Callie!! Thank you so much for this. I honestly miss being in the lab and talking about possible synthesizer purchases and such, but this helped with that. Thank you for putting us on to some truly classic music.

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