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Tears for Fears

“Nothing ever changes unless there’s some pain.”

Tears for Fears is an English pop band that became established in the 1980s with several hits that have stood the test of time. In addition to making a name for themselves with their hit songs these same songs have also helped bring attention to many aspiring artists that cover their hits years later. In the city of Bath, Somerset, Curt Smith met Roland Orzabal and formed a band called Neon. This band also included drummer Manny Elias. It was not until Orzabal and Smith joined up with the band Graduate did they see any sort of professional success.

In 1981, the two decided to leave Graduate and join a band called History of Headaches. It was not long before the band’s name was changed to Tears for Fears. In 1981, they signed with Phonogram Records. They released their first single, Suffer the Children then Pale Shelter. Neither one of these singles brought them success. It seemed that the third time was the charm as Mad World went all the way to #3 on the UK charts in the fall of 1982.

The following year, they released their first album. The Hurting was released in the spring of 1983. It was this album that they brought back Manny Elias. They also brought Ian Stanley in to play keyboard. This album became a huge success and was on the charts for nearly a year and a half. They were able to see their album go platinum and hit #1 on the UK charts. Tears for Fears was not only a success in their home country but in others as well. As 1983 came to an end, Tears for Fears decided to try something different with their single The Way You Are. This single was released as they worked on their second album. Though this new, less emotional type of music they released was a Top 30 hit in their home country, it was not the success they had previously seen. It was then that they decided that they needed to once again change things up.

In 1984, Mothers Talk was released and became a Top 20 UK hit. Their following single, Shout helped them to get back out there internationally. It was after the success of this hit that they released Songs from the Big Chair their second album. It was with this album that they went on a world tour. After this tour, Manny Elias decided to move on from the group. In 1989, the band was able to release their third album, The Seeds of Love. This album once again brought them worldwide success. In 1991, Smith and Orzabal had a falling out and decided to go their separate ways. This falling out came from their very different methods of work. Smith went on to New York City and released a solo album in 1993. Soul on Board brought him no success. It was not long before he met up with producer Charlton Pettus. A small tour in the US came after. The same year, Orzabal came out with Elemental still under Tears for Fears. He was able to see success with the single Break it Down Again. Two years later, he released yet another album entitled Raoul and the Kings of Spain. This album did not give the band name commercial success as it had seen before. After a decade of being apart, Orzabal and Smith began to begin their work together again. In six months time they released a new fourteen track album aptly titled Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. With this album they were able to get back on the Top 40 UK charts as well as see soundtrack work for movies such as Fever Pitch.

In the spring of 2010, Tears for Fears will begin to tour again.

Did you know that...

• ...songs from the Big chair's title was inspired by the miniseries Sybil
• ...Curt Smith has been quoted as saying that he hates his first solo album and only made to fulfill his contract
• ...Tears for Fears songs have been covered by many artists, not only are the originals popular in free mp3 downloads but the covers are as well