Tears For Fears – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Tears For Fears Biography

A British pop/rock group called Tears for Fears was founded in Bath, England, in 1981, taking its name from a passage in Arthur Janov’s book Prisoners of Pain. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, two of the band’s founding members, were close friends who had previously played together in the short-lived ska band Graduate. As shown by their 1983 debut album The Hurting, Tears For Fears’ previous work was expressly built around the emotional turmoil of youth and was first identified with the new wave and synthesizer bands of the early 1980s. Three UK Top 5 singles were included on the album, which peaked at number one in the UK. With their second album Songs from the Big Chair (1985), which sold over 10 million copies worldwide and topped the US album charts for five weeks (it debuted at #2 in the UK and remained for six months in the Top 10), Orzabal and Smith made their significant international breakthrough. Five of the album’s tracks made it into the UK Top 30, including their biggest hit, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, which peaked at #2, and Shout at #4. On the US Billboard Hot 100, both singles peaked at number one.

The band’s third album, The Seeds of Love, which was released in 1989 and had jazz, blues, and Beatles influences, was their return to the music scene after a protracted hiatus. Oleta Adams, an American soul singer, and pianist was featured on the album. The duo had first seen her perform in a Kansas hotel bar while on tour in 1985. After the title single Sowing the Seeds of Love gave them another UK and US Top 5 hit, The Seeds of Love became their second #1 album in the UK. Orzabal and Smith, however, fell out severely following a second world tour and decided to go their separate ways. The decision to separate was eventually attributed to Smith’s desire to live the jet-set lifestyle suddenly available to him and Orzabal’s complex but frustrating approach to production, which reduced Smith’s engagement in the company. The two worked separately for the following ten years.

1992 saw the publication of the track Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down) by Orzabal, which was included in the compilation Tears Roll Down for that year. Orzabal kept the band name and was now collaborating with longtime friend Alan Griffiths (Greatest Hits 82-92). While still essentially him and Griffiths, Orzabal released the full-length album Elemental in 1993 under the Tears for Fears moniker. In 1995, Raoul and the Kings of Spain released another album. In 2001, Orzabal issued Tomcats Screaming Outside, his debut record under his own name.

1993 saw the release of Smith’s solo album Soul on Board, however, it was never distributed outside of the UK and sank without a trace. In the US, where he was now residing, he found his own writing collaborator (Charlton Pettus), and in 1997, he published another album under the name Mayfield.

Routine administrative requirements caused Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith to speak for the first time in almost a decade in 2000. After settling their issues, the two made the decision to collaborate once more. Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, the resulting album that had fourteen brand-new songs, was eventually released in September 2004.

By this time, the band had gained some more exposure to younger generations because of the inclusion of their earlier song Head Over Heels and a cover of Mad World by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews in the 2001 movie Donnie Darko. In 2003, the Jules/Andrews rendition of “Mad World” was made available as a single and reached UK number 1.

Since their comeback, Tears For Fears has been semi-regularly touring abroad. They embarked on a seven-date tour of Australia and New Zealand in April 2010 in support of the revived 80s pop group Spandau Ballet. This was followed by a 17-date tour of the USA and a four-date headline tour of South East Asia (Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). The band continues to play annual small-scale tours after that. They performed in the US, Japan, South Korea, Manila, and South America in 2011 and 2012.

With Orzabal and Charlton Pettus, Smith stated in May 2013 that he was creating and recording fresh Tears for Fears music. In April 2013, Orzabal’s home studio, Neptune’s Kitchen, in the UK, worked on three to four tracks. In July 2013, more work on a new Tears For Fears album began in Los Angeles. Orzabal claims that they have been writing darker, more dramatic songs, which is why the working title of the upcoming album is Tears for Fears: The Musical. “There’s one song that sounds like a cross between Portishead and Queen. It’s really insane,” said Orzabal.

In October 2013, Universal Music will reissue the band’s debut album The Hurting in two Deluxe Editions (one a 2-disc set and the other a 4-disc set including a DVD of 1983 In My Mind’s Eye concert).

With the SoundCloud release of their cover of Arcade Fire’s “Ready to Start” in August 2013, Tears For Fears made their first new music in nearly ten years.

The Tipping Point, Tears For Fears’ first new album in nearly two decades, will be released in 2022 on February 25.

Tears For Fears Discography

The Tipping PointSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Everybody Loves a Happy EndingSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Raoul and the Kings of SpainSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
ElementalSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The Seeds of LoveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Songs from the Big ChairSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The HurtingSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Was Tears For Fears Biggest Hit?

The band’s biggest hit was “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” The song reached number one in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It has been covered by numerous artists and featured in many films and television shows.

What Is Sly And The Family Stone‘S Most Famous Song?

“Everyday People” is Sly and the Family Stone‘s most famous song. The song was released as a single in 1968 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Everyday People” is a funk and soul song that promotes racial and social equality. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu.

What Was Sly And The Family Stone’S First Number One Single?

“Family Affair” was Sly and the Family Stone’s first number one single. The song was released in 1971 and topped the charts for three weeks. “Family Affair” is one of the band’s most iconic songs and is considered to be a classic of 1970s soul music.

Most Searched For Tears For Fears Songs

Everybody Wants To Rule The World SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Mad World SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
ShoutSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Sowing The Seeds Of Love SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Listen SpotifyYouTube
JamSpotify
Advice For The Young At Heart SpotifyAppleYouTube
The Tipping Point SpotifyAppleAmazon
Pale Shelter – 2nd Single Version SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Change SpotifyAppleYouTube