What Makes This Song Great? "Head Over Heels" Tears For Fears

[@glennyates2194]

This is one of those 10 out of 10 songs that will never get old or become dated. It will be a great song in 100 years.

[@ziggytonumaa]

yes sir. It's f- brilliant and timeless. And so CLEAR sounding like going outside in the countryside and you get that fresh air into your lungs. That's Tears For Fears at the top of their game

[@Truthmatters6385]

Same

[@dougnokia]

True

[@carson3684]

"I Believe" is really the only song from this album that doesn't resonate with me. The rest of the songs I never tire of. Near flawless album.

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Roland Orzabal deserves far more recognition for the brilliant composer that he is.

[@blackwhitemore1468]

I agree! He is an amazing song writer and singer. I warm up my voice to his singing. It's like doing vocal calisthenics.

[@johnnicholson8345]

Roland is a master in composition, sound, vocal mastery and subject matter.

[@cindyharrington5958]

I totally agree.

[@scounter72]

Totally. He's not talked about often enough in the 'great songwriters' discussion

[@twoeggcups]

...and for his terrible dancing

[@VeryScaryLarry2024]

songs from the big chair is a masterpiece hands down

[@Dwendele]

One of the all time greatest albums. It's definitely in my top 20. Still a good, strong album to this day.

[@matthewche]

Masterpiece is the word

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Michael Moore: By far their best album!

[@ftolead]

Agreed, it still bothers me that it's not more highly ranked on best of lists. Almost like it's underrated.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Chuck Donahue: Definitely underrated.

[@VibeXplorer]

It's insane how those New Wave Brits could create such magical soundscapes and melodies. So emotionally evocative. They take you to such a specific powerful place.

[@russell_szabados]

@VibeXplorer I know exactly what you mean, and that kind of music peaked between 1985-1986. This particular song & the Tears For Fears album Songs From the Big Chair, also records released at that time by Killing Joke, The Chameleons and Echo & The Bunnymen really exemplify what you’re saying. If you haven’t already, listen to the album Brighter Than a Thousand Suns by Killing Joke. And picture an 18 year old version of yourself (or me, as it actually happened in late-summer 1985) driving a car full of close friends & girlfriends home to the suburbs, just before dawn after a night out carousing in New York City, with the warm, humid wind blowing through the car and the musical grandeur of Tears For Fears and The Chameleons on the stereo. The summer after high school when everything has so much intense, emotional energy attached and future possibilities seem limitless. Nowadays in my early 50’s, if sometimes things become too overwhelming, I have the memory of that night, the smells & sights, and that music. It always relaxes me to reminisce about that time period in particular, and that emotionally evocative music, like you said in your comment.

[@foto21]

They were the next generation after the Beatles, Stones, everyone else from the 60s. XTC were giant Beatles fans. I actually fled to the UK a few times trying to chase down the best of UK music, but it was over by Radiohead, and they were mostly on their own. England owned music 1960s - 1990 by reprocessing American blues.

[@foto21]

@@russell_szabados I'm a giant Killing Joke fan, and it's Nightime for me. And most of the records before that.

[@russell_szabados]

@foto21com I’m also a long time Killing Joke fan, and I can understand Night Time being a cutoff point for you, as well as a lot of other KJ fans I’ve met. You can discern a trajectory between the debut album and Night Time, but with Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, its production is really 80’s/slick sounding and it ALMOST sounds like a different band (almost). FWIW, before I turned 13 in 1980 and discovered post-punk and what they called “alternative” in New York City, I was really into prog like Genesis, King Crimson & ELP and heavy rock, Black Sabbath & Led Zeppelin. So, even though I loved earlier KJ, when Brighter... came out I got really into it, i guess because it reminded me a of some prog like mid-70’s Genesis and some Zeppelin tracks, and there were other bands I liked like The Chameleons using that sound at that time. But yeah, I never even tried defending Brighter... when talking to other Killing Joke fans because I was always the odd one out, and I knew it!

[@foto21]

@@russell_szabados To clarify, I really liked Millennium and even some of the recent albums. I just had some issues with Suns being a bit too clean and soft and cuddly by their standards. It still sounded great, but the songs never stuck in me, although a couple I actually do remember. It's not a bad album by any means, just not much of a rocker, and a big full of itself.

[@maxcrowe2338]

There is not one second of this song that fails to give me goosebumps.

[@charlotteriddle7303]

@MaxCrowe wanna get married? 😘😘

[@Digginbehindthedikes]

It's a goosebump galore for sure

[@NavidKhan84]

I know right…I can stop hearing this and everybody wants to rule the world being a prog listener…and it always takes you on a journey…there’s something magical about their arrangements …absolute masters

[@esteban1487]

@@charlotteriddle7303 You want half his stuff up front? 🤣

[@Boddissatva]

And those lyrics bring me joy

[@Just_Pele]

"Songs From the Big Chair" is THE greatest pop album of the 1980s. There's not one single dud or weak track on the whole thing, it's a banger from start to finish. It's absolutely the best of the best that New Wave had to offer.

[@smithbraithwaite]

Nailed it. 100% agreed.

[@javierruiz3051]

WORD.

[@drjoseph_figueiredo]

There's Always an eternal doubt for me. What was The greatest Tears For Fears album... Songs from the big chair or The seeds of love?? I've never got to a straight decision, as a big fan

[@Just_Pele]

@@drjoseph_figueiredo For me, SFtBC is the greatest, but some of that is because it came out during the best time in my life and that colors things substantially.

[@TomBVoxman]

@@Just_Pele *best time in your life? Was it your coming-of-age time, like it was mine? I have so many snapshot moments from my youth when I listen to this record.

[@KellyBergerDeusVult]

As a metal head in the 80s, I got a lot of flack for loving this band. Thank you MTV, it was worth it. Phenomenal music.

[@explosivehotdogs]

Nothing wrong with diversity of music taste !

[@shawarmageddonit]

Fellow metalhead here, and I obviously need to check out some more Tears For Fears.

[@locust666av]

Proud metal head and lover of 80s new wave

[@jakesmith6233]

Tears for fears is one of those Non metal acts that Metal heads can enjoy.

[@jollyjokress3852]

WTF? They are very good!

[@ArthurPerez-t2e]

“..But traditions I can trace against the child in your face won’t escape my attention “ Absolute poetry, who writes like that??

[@Laughinopoulous]

When you break down and isolate all the different parts of the song, it really makes me appreciate them even more.

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

Agreed!

[@guessdog4871]

They put so many interesting little flourishes into their arrangements. My favorite thing on this song is the "yeah" you can just barely hear at beginning of 2nd verse, he sings, "I made a fire and watching it burn" then 2 synth horn hits, and then Curt, I think, yells "Yeah!" way in the background. I just LOVE that.

[@matiasgonzalez5053]

break it down again then... haha get it? cause the song "Break it down again" and he said "when you break down..." hahaha lol I'm so sorry

[@kevdean9967]

I agree beautiful!

[@MatteoPrezioso]

Absofreakinlutely

[@rockoperajon]

Tears For Fears made some of the greatest songs of the 1980s. Head Over Heels, Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Woman In Chains, Mad World, Sewing The Seeds Of Love, Pale Shelter… the list goes on.

[@abathens]

Mother's Talk

[@yesthisislyra]

We love seeing Pale Shelter appreciation here

[@DC-dc7ty]

Advice for the Young at Heart… Suffer the Children!

[@AlexandreHorbach]

"Change" is amazing too!

[@heavnnnsent]

This song is my all-time favorite from tears for fears. I can listen to it anytime at all! It gives me chills

[@christopherjohnson2221]

One of the greatest aspects of this song is that the end contains four distinct but intertwined melodies ALL PLAYING AT THE SAME TIME... the bass, the guitar, the lead vocal, and the backing chorus are all peeling off into this cycle of melodic hooks (not to mention a series of memorable drum fills) - it’s stunning.

[@markgallagher1621]

Plus I love how it starts into the 'broken" song in the start and at again the end of head over heals(album version). Brilliant Drums and guitars, piano, vocals and everything about the song is great. My favourite song from this band

[@4leggedfurball]

Everything Tears for Fears did was big, bold, and well constructed. When any of their songs are broken down, you really get the extra attention to detail they put in.

[@blackwhitemore1468]

Yes, 4leggedfurball, and I have just recently learned that all the Tears for Fears albums are that way even the two produced when Curt Smith was away from the band. Some of the songs from those 2 albums are just fantastic and then when Curt Smith returned they put out Everybody loves a happy ending and It's fantastic!!!

[@billkeithchannel]

_Tears Roll Down_ is a masterpiece of a song.

[@AUGUSTALLEN28]

The bass on this song is outrageous.

[@joedecker3900]

Played with a pick using a Status bass

[@tomlechat3778]

@@joedecker3900 XL2 Steinberger!

[@vinslungur]

The melodies flow effortlessly. Bonkers.

[@63worldseries]

Curt Smith never got the recognition he deserved. great musician.

[@stevenbreach2561]

Great musician,but "Calling out" a was disappointing

[@jespacey]

orzabal is a shitty bandmate but great musician, curt to me was the unsung partner

[@chrisclermont456]

Awesome musician! Seems like a really good guy as well.

[@chrisclermont456]

This song is so fucking good, I'm in tears!!

[@jespacey]

@@chrisclermont456 orzabal was the asshat

[@240iBMW]

I love the passion in his voice in this song, the reality of being completely head over heels in love

[@paulmarynissen]

I often wonder if any of the featured musicians ever watch these videos and think to themselves “oh, he picked up on that” or “is that what I did there?” It is satisfying when Rick picks a small bit that is your favourite bit of a song and says he loves it, too many people listen but do not hear.

[@holoman11]

Check out Rick's video on Seal...its exaclty what you're thinking

[@scottbaines4747]

@@holoman11 "Let's call Seal and ask him..." I remember thinking he was joking at first and then being like 😳. Such a great video.

[@geoffmerrill164]

Many people listen but do not consciously hear, but the ears send the signal to the brain, which hears, and the effect on us happens even though we would deny the sound was there. It was there, and entered us, and changed us.

[@timcoffey5927]

Basically call ian stanley - hes doing all the Jupiter 8 stuff

[@DionysusAlexanderChrist]

I was a hard rocker and tried to hide my admiration for them till one of my friends who was a metallica freak was blasting this in his truck

[@michaelcallaghan3070]

... Haaah... Very funny!!!

[@6thwilbury2331]

I love those little surprises. Still can't forget the time I pulled up alongside a huge pick-up truck at an intersection. Everything about the vehicle (probably a Ford F350 or something) would have suggested the driver was a diehard country music fan. But nope: he was BLASTING Coltrane's "Giant Steps."

[@createlovehappy]

Never hide who you are. Because you being authentic gives those around you permission to also be real. I did the same back in the day trying to be cool. Real is cooler than cool

[@Hansengineering]

I posit you become an adult when you feel free to listen to whatever music you want to listen to, and care not one bit about what anyone else will think.

[@Shiggityleveler]

I too, went from young Metallica freak to blasting Head Over Heels lol. Still love the mighty Met but there’s just so much good music out there !

[@chiyanrealestate]

The riff was so good, they stole from their own song.

[@jimwoodard64]

Chi Yan it was actually the track before the song on the album. They just flowed from song to song like a lot of album tracks back then. I always loved to listen to the two together and never saw them as independent.

[@jimmycampbell78]

It’s what artistically, you would call a repeating musical motif across different tracks.

[@nitedreamer23]

PRS Rocker in that way, it's more like a suite with a repeating melodic theme. That's what I was thinking. That said, Rick is still the man.

[@gregoryheidt1851]

Pink floyd kinda did this. I think it's ok on the same album.

[@pickzkickz]

They were like, still can't believe it was a huge hit! Let's try it again, just in case they weren't paying attention!!

[@jamesauburn]

"Head Over Heels" is as good a song as anything Lennon & McCartney ever wrote. I'll stand by that and argue it all day long.

[@johndough247]

I couldn't agree more...one of the best compositions and recordings I've ever heard, across all genres of music...that whole album is magic. It's one of those "don't even bother trying to cover it" songs; it'll always sound subpar compared to the original.

[@Embur12]

Seed of love sounds like a McCartney track.

[@liraloo]

Ummm, no.

[@paulheitkemper1559]

Lennon and McCartney wrote pop, but people don't want to think so. 2.5 minutes, 2 verses and a bridge... Yup, pop.

[@palopinto4065]

Dont have to argue with me. Tears for Fears just pure genius.

[@freekcerutti3926]

The moment leading into the choir chanting outro when Roland sings at the top of his lungs 'this is my four leaf clover!!" gives me goosebumps and a tear to my eye every time I hear it. Wonderful, wonderful song.

[@jackie_jrml]

Ha. Same!

[@TheWonderer7]

Very underrated bassline. So awesome

[@kcmet79]

Particularly after the flanged drum bit... epic, love the slides... but you said it, it's excellent the whole way through and I often find myself - despite being a singer and regular guitar player - focusing on/humming the bass line through the entire song. 👍

[@markgallagher1621]

Bass is great, even when it blends into the broken song at the start and end of head over heals

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Please feel free to do more Tears For Fears songs, Rick!

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Sowing the Seeds!

[@HiVoltish]

Elemental is my fave album.

[@woytd6435]

YEAH!

[@Saybooboy]

Watch me bleed... memories fade?

[@evadesc]

Shout

[@Sponsi_PL]

The bass line to me, playing bass myself, is an awesome example of early 90s. And the song is from the 80s!!! Incredibly ahead of their times... Thank you for this!

[@moreheff]

The bass line and playing on this song are outstanding. Curt totally nailed it in every respect

[@russellward4624]

His bass work is underrated. Understated but so memorable.

[@fin1131]

At 47 yrs of age i am only NOW starting to appreciate JUST how GOOD TFF actually were.

[@michaeladams8711]

At 44 I am just revisiting them. Especially Everyone Wants to rule the world. What a great song. I think maybe I just heard too much as a kid

[@ShaunHensley]

We were spoiled back then and thought new bands would be forever born

[@jonasdaasbjerg1940]

Shaun Hensley I’m 16 and I’m so jealous of all the great bands you had back then

[@txmom2boys]

fin I’m at 46 and just realizing the same. Been revisiting my TFF obsession these past few weeks.

[@rumblefish9]

fin I'm 38 and have been a fan since I was 8 yrs old as my older cousins were fans of TFF. I have every single, album and B-side even the solo projects from both Curt and Roland. Few people even realize how good this band is especially live. I was lucky to have seen them live a few years ago and they were still amazing as usual. They sound even better live than they do on the record. I highly recommend listening to more of their less popular songs like 'The Year Of The Knife' and the conceptual stuffs like 'Raoul and The Kings of Spain'.

[@solinvictus39]

I'm in my 50s and hearing this song immediately takes me back to age 15. It was a different world and so innocent compared to the internet age. This song was one of the best of its era, and an example of the quality tunes you don't get anymore.

[@whatafreakinusername]

I love Curt's backing lines during the second verse.

[@PeteTheChopp]

Oh yeah, that's my favorite part

[@forumchatter09]

Yes! That is such a beautiful interplay and my fave part of the song

[@monicadesanti7466]

I love It too

[@nisha7572]

Nothing ever changes when you're acting your age ❤

[@rickywilliams7961]

Tears for Fears celebrating 40 years (1981-2021).

[@shivaunt71]

Unbelievable isn't it, I remember them first playing.

[@shnhh00]

80's bands are musical geniuses, especially the british "new wave" bands.

[@r423fplip]

Prefab Sprout were one of those great bands.

[@2449559]

I would expand that to the 60s thru the 80's.

[@hangxiaohuz748]

Breetish, always da Breetish, Oh my goodness! What do the feed them there.

[@kayelle8005]

Dave G I thought I was their only fan. Certainly the only one in Australia. Still listen to them all the time.

[@evancobb2554]

True. Depeche Mode is very diverse in their soundwriting. They use chord progressions you wouldn’t expect

[@andrewsealey2236]

Tears for fears "Songs from the big Chair" remains one of my favourite albums of all time. Mixed with great pop and rock songs intertwined with experimental avant-garde works it still works today. Like Peter Gabriel's album 'So' it stands the test of time.

[@marcusdamberger]

'So' is so good!

[@miathermopolis3021]

“So” so good

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Co-produced by the great Daniel Lanois, it was nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Paul Simon's Graceland.

[@GastonMaqueda]

Tears for Fears is one of the most underated band of the 80s Their music quality was superior

[@EdmundKempersDartboard]

Underrated? They're legends.

[@GastonMaqueda]

@@EdmundKempersDartboard Not in the way that they deserve.

[@washichurehab4573]

@@GastonMaqueda if you lived in the 80s, you know

[@GastonMaqueda]

@@washichurehab4573 Yes I growed up during the 80s

[@ryanleeoakes2015]

30 million albums sold is hardly underrated. But I get what you mean. They’re my favorite from the 80’s bar none as far as their genre goes.

[@armorer94]

Instantly recognizable opening chords, which hooks you immediately.

[@whatevergoesforme5129]

A lot of TFF song's have very recognizable opening chords that hook you immediately. And if you are a fan like me, you can always guess from the first few chords what the song will be.

[@vinniep9562]

Yep. Even before the actual "hook", the synth riff. I think there are very few songs that can do that as well, as successfully, as this ... A Day in the Life springs to mind.

[@JFTL81]

“Head Over Heels” is probably in my top 3 favorite songs of all time and this makes me appreciate it so much more. Beato is incredible at breaking down songs. 👍🏻

[@AnthonySmith-sc4zs]

I’m not gonna lie. Rick Beato has opened my ears to this song. I never gave it a chance before but damn it’s just so good.

[@AlerieHightower]

I always loved this one, but Rick did the same for me with Roseanna by Toto.

[@ruffnerr]

Head over Heels/Broken of my favorite all time songs.

[@pablopicasso3122]

Rick Beato is the best kind of music commentator, instead of making an industry out of outright panning tracks, he dissects them down and analyzes them, talking about what makes the songs so interesting. Much of the time I walk away echoing his sentiments, regardless of the song.

[@AnthonySmith-sc4zs]

@@pablopicasso3122 so true. He’s also responsible for me listening to the police more than I would have before. Just by breaking down the composition.

[@pablopicasso3122]

@@AnthonySmith-sc4zs Whew yeah, the devil's in the details with The Police especially on the last 2 albums. But holy sheez were they just amazing together. What happens when you put 2 A-type perfectionists together and give them Andy Summers to play guitar? This band! lol

[@rickallen8767]

As a kid in the 80s this song touched my soul

[@JamesBond-cq9mg]

I know you've probably read this a couple of times in the comments but it is true indeed: Tears for Fears is one of the best bands in history

[@iceberghoney]

My mother is a child of the 80's so she exposed me to this song when I was younger. I always enjoyed it, but your breakdown has given me an EPIPHANY about why it's unlike anything else! The vocals, drums, guitar, piano, all of it is otherworldly

[@danielmarquis5258]

I knew this song was complex, but DAMN!!!

[@MiloDC]

Most of their songs are like that. "Sowing the Seeds of Love" makes this look like the theme from Sesame Street.

[@s1d299]

@Daniel Marquis That should be the default reply to every one of these videos!

[@OZRIC1985]

It's a total masterpiece as far as I'm concerned. :)

[@OZRIC1985]

Another song I love of theirs (among the zillions of their other great songs) is "The Working Hour". Incredible song! :)

[@AtonalMeasureRecords]

@@MiloDC You say that, but its like a sergeant peppers pastiche as great as it is

[@stephencraig7130]

Again, I'm 63 and this song is the soundtrack to my life. As a record collector for over 50 years, this is by far my favorite song of all time! Ian Stanley is often left out of the praise, but he's there! His influence is all over the place! Cheers!!

[@smyffmawzz]

I always felt Roland could write a stunning James Bond Movie theme ...Still time ..

[@Nightrelic]

I never would have thought of that, but you're absolutely right.

[@DmitryGorbushin]

They chose Duran Duran instead of Roland :-) (A View to a Kill)

[@billkeithchannel]

@@DmitryGorbushin Bon.... Simon LeBon.

[@3500ton]

@@DmitryGorbushin not a bad choice

[@deborahh2556]

Even they could never know how much we loved their sound. Two great singers in one band. Unreal! Roland's voice especially did it for me. They had a unique sound, but clean. The few bands that touched my soul like that. I still love that sound today. You can't duplicate things like that.

[@jjsmith706]

Jesus, Rick. I have no idea what you're talking about musically, but damn I love hearing it. You're amazing. I could listen to you talk about this song for another ten minutes. Please make these longer if you can.

[@Leftfield71]

Great to see you select Head Over Heels as I always thought it was the best song on the album, but was never as wildly appreciated as Shout or Everybody Wants To Rule The World because it's wasn't as big a hit as those two.

[@raymondjamesrivera]

Totally! My fav Tears For Fears song

[@willsaf8624]

absolutely 100 percent agree with you!

[@deborahpaley21]

agree, brilliant

[@namokab71]

Head over heals is at least slightly famous although not to the same extent as the two songs you mention. HOH is definitively better and even better is the Working hour, an even less known song.

[@bobantoniuk3953]

I played this song many times while working at WKAM radio in Goshen IN at the time in 1985. Beautiful melody that was a big hit in the fall of 85. It always reminds me of my 10-year high school reunion that November.

[@lestatdelc]

My favorite little synth part of this song is the stabs right after going back in with the second verse where it goes "I made a fire and watching it burn"... then the quick synth stab... BA DAM ... "yeah".

[@ButterCookie1984]

Oh yeah!!

[@kimdawcatgirl]

Ian Stanley! Yeah!

[@theparalexview785]

The original music video did a playful little bit from that segment of the song, with the keyboard rigged to swing down and up again. In the video the keyboardist mouths the "Yeah," but in most performances I've seen Roland does that vocal bit.

[@lparksession]

I was waiting to hear him comment on the isolated vocal there on the “yeah!” and he skipped it for some reason, I was like “Noooo”

[@JacobAndJamal]

Love this “vibe” that’s prevalent in many 80s songs like Tears for fears, Hall & Oates, Journey, Phil Collins, etc. A modern “sail away” melody without being, happy pop sounding. The 80s & 70s have such great melodies. Early 90s too. I think as recording technology got better (easier), many musicians/artist became reliant on loops and presets, “puzzling” together sounds rather than composing music with instruments. So the sounds are crisp, clear, beat driven but the “soul” of the song isn’t lasting .

[@blackwhitemore1468]

Well put!

[@lamf0422]

VERY well put

[@chevelle68100]

Absolutely fabulous song. Such talent. Roland is a great writer, great singer. He’s got such an ear for beautiful flowing, yet complex melodies. He and Curt sound fantastic together. Love these guys.

[@untexan]

This song is always going to remind me of the school montage in Donnie Darko. Seeing that sequence in a movie theater with the outro to Head Over Heels just blasting out of the speakers is one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had at the movies.

[@cjansenATL]

One of my favorite bits is an interjected 'Yeah!' at the beginning of the verse responding to the synth horn hits after the synth solo.

[@jenchristensen66]

the_ultimate_chris Me too! There’s such an energy to it. I’m not embarrassed to say it gives me goosebumps 🙂

[@cmarshall4559]

Yes agreed. Surprised he did not touch on that part. Greatest part of the greatest TFF song.

[@s1d299]

As a Zeppelin fan, I *LOVE* those quieter touches of beauty which reward the attentive listener, and that "yeah!" is one of my favorite parts of the song too. Just pure coolness.

[@zwerker]

Yes!

[@adamkendall997]

Yeah?

[@audiophiliac]

Loved Tears For Fears as a kid, glad they are still appreciated.

[@reillywalker195]

Not only that, but they're still active.

[@garymanning8920]

Decade of synthetic keys. So British. Flowing, Dreamy, Floating...the new wave of British invasion. My coming of age songs for sure. Just great musicians and voices.

[@exerciserelax8719]

One of the best songs of the 80s. That huge sing along chorus is amazing with an audience. These guys were brilliant with melodies, all those interesting and catchy instrumental and vocal lines layered onto each other. And interesting chords too! Seamlessly switching keys. Not to mention amazing production and engineering. They really had it all.

[@allthingsclassicrock]

Songs from the Big Chair is an amazing album and I don’t say that lightly, it is remarkable. And very underrated imo. It’s one of those albums that every time I listen I discover something new. This album IS 1985.

[@alestev24]

Exactly. There is also a great remastered version on Pure Audio BluRay, which simply blows your mind.

[@ryanfoltz1276]

It can make hours feel like minutes...

[@abramquinn7726]

MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF ALL TIME!!!

[@IsaBilal]

I was a teenager when it came out and it was pretty well rated back then. Well it was in the UK anyway. The way Broken mixes with this song is excellent. In fact, the radio edit wasn't on the album at all.

[@74Bat]

Tears for Fears was my first concert in the summer of 1988. Still one of the best concerts I've seen.

[@parklloyd6690]

At 8:26, I love the offsetting background lyrics that Curt is singing. "Nothing ever changes when you're acting your age." Thanks for the great video. Cheers!

[@ericjohnson7950]

The full descant: “Nothing ever changes when you’re acting your age. Nothing gets done when you feel like a baby.”

[@lparksession]

Yea it felt like Rick kind of rushed through the 2nd verse and left a lot of cool stuff out

[@vgarc7]

I fucking love this song. Now I love it even more. Thanks Rick.

[@vinslungur]

Without a doubt a perfect pop song. Every note is flawless and serves the song perfectly. The singing is out of this world. This song is a tremendous achievement in art.

[@lastcaress439]

I've always thought of TFF as this highly intelligent and deeply emotional band and your video just goes to prove I was right.

[@xoxxobob61]

I remember the first time I heard "Pale Shelter" and everything about the song was just brilliant...I've been hooked ever since then.

[@advocate1563]

Genius invariably appears simple. Until you get closer. Great great band.

[@milhousevanhoutan9235]

The fact this was sandwiched between broken and broken reprise made it awesome listening.

[@brendonching7952]

The Working Hour was my favorite song on that album.

[@rumblefish9]

YES!

[@EsotErikka]

Same here

[@Etatdesiege1979]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music they ever wrote.

[@scottfulton267]

An outstanding, very emotional song

[@ianrobinson4200]

This is the working hour,we are paid by those who learn by our mistake. Great song...

[@roxannemoser]

Roland's vocals are just soulful!

[@electrocolourfield2200]

Tears for fears = genius pop, and dont forget their brilliant keyboardist Ian Stanley, never quite the same musically without him.

[@jaklumen]

I can get lost for hours in Ian Stanley's "Listen", from the very same album (Songs From The Big Chair). Although he's not a foundational member, yes, he was absolutely brilliant, and yes, Tears For Fears isn't the same without him.

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

Although 'Raoul and the Kings of Spain' comes pretty close to their 80s output in terms of sheer quality

[@jeortiz-luis4288]

YES

[@bonrzabal264]

yes the hurting and songs from the big chair albums are their best,when ian stanley and manny elias was still with them,they could have bigger than U2 if those two guys did not left.

[@davedzone]

Agreed, they really added a lot. Although they were never actually IN the band. Which may have been a big part of why they left.

[@gmcjetpilot]

I love Tears for Fears. it's one of my favorite bands, and I've heard the song a hundred times. Next time I listen I'll have a whole new insight to it. thanks.

[@TexasJackdaw]

This series is one of the best things about KZbin. Hearing the isolated tracks, accompanied by your wealth of theory knowledge is priceless. I really enjoyed watching this year’s GuitCon. One of my favorites was the bar video with Phil and Pete. Thank you, Rick, for sharing this great content. Cheers from Texas.

[@onceamoth]

The intro is taken from a peal of church bells you often hear in England on Sunday morning, Rick. Such a beautiful and passionate song - like so many other TFF songs. So much talent in 80s.

[@goodolarchie]

Respect - this duo is fantastically talented and the song an icon of the 80s

[@chriswohlford7687]

I was 20 when this came out and more of a hard rocker so this didn’t get my full attention. We pulled out my wife’s vinyl of this album and put it on the new turntable we recently set up with my old 125 wpc Carver and this came blasting out. I had forgotten how great this song is. An absolute masterpiece.

[@dvd11811]

Ian Stanley is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT on the keyboards for this song!!! This song may have the most iconic synth sounds of the 80's ... Also, I love the way Stanley plays his riffs while looking at the Librarian in the MTV music video and then throws up his right hand and yells YEAH and then just walks off ... bad as hell ... !!!

[@stevenbreach2561]

Yeah"dropping the Mike",years before anyone else

[@dianarosas4002]

Even though I wasn't alive back when TFF were big, I fell in love with them (and especially with "Head over Heels") the minute my parents introduced them to me. And just when I thought I couldn't love them any further, watching your video simply proved me wrong!

[@TopsideCrisis346]

The great part about this song, as our friend here demonstrates, is that any one part of this song can truly stand on its own. The drums, guitar, bass, synth, vocals - each of them are solid in their own right. And it is this individual solidity which allows all of the elements to come together into a truly epic unity throughout the entire piece. No one part outshines any other; each compliments the others perfectly.

[@DAVID0665]

I'm an old Southern Rock and Roller...this is one of my all-time favorite songs.

[@petergreen1869]

Brilliant. Would love another Tears for Fears song sometime. Still think people don't appreciate how clever their music was.

[@jchcmax]

Playing this album on vinyl during 80s in the summer, was so awesome!

[@MervinGriff]

Actually there are two women singing backing vocals Marilyn Davis and Annie McCaig.

[@JoeChewBaca]

Annie McCaig, she's on a lot of Level 42 songs. He should do some Level 42.....

[@ShaunaMarieSings]

@@JoeChewBaca - Ooh, yes, LOVE Level 42!!! 💗💗💗

[@_mrcrypt]

This is one of the best episodes for me. All of the other episodes are either songs I know well (own copies of, listened to ad nauseam), or have never heard before. Tears for Fears made some tremendous music, but I've only heard them on the radio (or MTV back in the day). It's still relatively new every time I hear it. So, "what makes this song great" is a really good question. Thanks for the lesson, Teach. ;-)

[@CreativeSauce]

Agree!

[@joshuadramsey]

Must agree. I was young, like 5-10 years old, over the course of Tears for Fears's biggest years for hits in America. Though I was beginning to find music that was "mine" at that time, Tears for Fears for me was just this band with kind of cool videos I'd see on MTV from time to time (loved "Shout," but what kid wouldn't?). I feel a bit bad that I've been planning to get into Tears for Fears ever since I heard the famous "Mad World" cover in Donnie Darko: back in 2001! Now is as good a time as any, I guess.

[@allanroney]

Robert Houtsch also agree - will have me reaching for this album.

[@josuegarduno7154]

@@joshuadramsey I discovered Tears for Fears thanks to Donnie Darko x)

[@TickleFingers]

This song is in my top 10 favorite songs. This song has always been a masterpiece to me. Love hearing this breakdown. Thanks!

[@JackMellor498]

2:32 Could listen to that isolated guitar on repeat for eternity. It’s sounds so good, I can actually feel my serotonin count max out instantly. Great synths too.

[@ButterCookie1984]

Oh yes!!! Its also my favorite.

[@mguylenton]

Interesting to bear in mind that when they met one of the things they found they had in common was a love of Blue Oyster Cult, and I think you can hear a little bit of Donald BD Roeser in there.

[@redpenguin111]

that's how I feel about The Working Hour

[@FL8mileshigh1]

Rick makes the greatest, online music appreciation classes. Thanks for the great analysis of music and giving us a better understanding of what went into creating these classics.

[@chrisangela]

Awesome Rick, Roland Orzabal is quite the consummate musician, thank you! I listen to “ The Working Hour” from the same album over and over again, it just blows my mind every listen and I always hear something new!

[@theGiantworm86]

The Working Hour is the best song on the album in my opinion.

[@mierezsaturday5855]

The Working Hour is a devastating masterclass.

[@RogerioValgode]

I'm just such a fan of these episodes! They are really great, and we learn a lot from them. Thanks, Rick.

[@roadrunner7218]

Literalist alert. The phrase head over heals in common usage means to be spinning while falling. In order to convey that feeling heels over head would be better because you're upside down at that point in the spin. More visual momentum than head over heels which would also be literally accurate while standing still. Ok, so I wrote that and then looked up the phrase meaning for grins (yes I'm having a bit of insomnia) and the first hit included this: "'Head over heels' is a good example of how language can communicate meaning even when it makes no literal sense. After all, our head is normally over our heels. The phrase originated in the 14th century as 'heels over head', meaning doing a cartwheel or somersault. This appeared later in Thomas Carlyle's History of Frederick the Great, 1864: "A total circumgyration, summerset, or tumble heels-over-head in the Political relations of Europe." Literalist episode concludes. Please resume your critique of Head Over Heels and Rick, both of which are great. "

[@user-pk4sd9dd2w]

why hasn't he done Queen yet?

[@RogerioValgode]

Very good suggestion, R!

[@jamesmartin3870]

​@@user-pk4sd9dd2w They are probably "blockers," as Rick would say...meaning their Legal gets all Gestapo when one tries to do something cool with the name and likeness of a song. Btw, one day these folks will realize this kind of quality (and subtly enthusiastic) analysis actually drives other folks to buy more of their trax and wax.

[@paulfeery12]

I love how all Rick’s favorite songs are my favorite songs!

[@MelTuly]

Hiya thank you . I was born in 71 and I think the Eighties were as good as any decade for music . The New Romantics were awesome . The first 5 years of the eighties there was so much good music across all genres . I loved Tears For Fears . Really beautiful melodies.

[@Mmmyess]

I completely agree. 80's music has aged well, probably because the melodies were so strong and the songwriting was just great. I live in a college town and hear 80's tunes being played in shops and restaurants (off the young employees' ipods and phones) all the time.

[@MelTuly]

Mmmyess hiya , yes totally agree . There seemed to have been much more emphasis on melody and good lyrics . I also hear eighties bands everywhere too . Some very talented bands that didn’t want to play it safe and weren’t scared to experiment. It’s all a bit of a return to a Tin Pan Alley culture where reality bands have songs hand picked for them I think . Loved the eighties and so happy to grow up with this music .

[@execatty]

Born in 67 **80s music was Amazingly creative and unique..

[@freefallin6871]

This song is like a pocket symphony, just brilliant.

[@dosgos]

"Sowing the Seeds of Love" had some interesting production and obvious ties to the Beatles sound. That would be an interesting follow up.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

Underappreciated and categorized along with corny new wave, but damn, such good song writers.

[@TrueGritProductions]

It takes listening to today's trash heap, to appreciate the discarded corn of yesteryear.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

@@TrueGritProductions if you think everything today is a trash heap, you're just not looking in the right places, because there is a lot of good stuff out there, you're just not likely to find it on top 40 stations. With the age of the internet has come the niche scenes finding their own people and catering to that. If you like 70s stoner rock, you can find a ton of bands doing that. If you like 60s Phil Spector type stuff, bands are doing that. If you like early 80s dark wave post punk, there are bands doing that. You can find whatever you want if you just look for it.

[@blobcity3591]

@@THEQueeferSutherland no examples queefer? i'm interested.

[@mtjm]

Underappreciated by who? I consider TFF nothing short of genius

[@Mmmyess]

I don't dismiss 80's new wave. So much of that music has stood the test of time. It's wild to be in a shop and hear kids...teenagers...listening to songs that came out when *I* was a teen!

[@DemopVWgarage]

the flanged drum part is killer

[@passiton3801]

So a lot of these 80's songs were really well constructed an written...

[@jaklumen]

Orzabal is certainly pretty cerebral. The band name alone, I learned, is a reference to primal therapy, and some of the band's earlier tunes had more references to such. I know Tears For Fears and a lot of other bands in the synthwave genre are lampooned for being brooding, but they certainly aren't stupid or vapid in their sentiments.

[@kanealson5200]

@@jaklumen Well said. Creatively, lyrically, melodically on par with genius.

[@Paul_Sleeping]

Yes. It just sounds right. Mostly played with real instruments and actual musicians. This is why there is so much talk about the nostalgia of 60s to 80s music and wanting to time travel back to those eras and live through them again.

[@pedestrian_0]

@@Paul_Sleeping times like those will make their way back around

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I know I'm biased, being an X-Gener, but hell yes that was such a great era in music. I would even say it might just be the greatest decade in music. The `60s, `70s, and `80s comprise probably 90+% of the greatest music ever recorded. I loved a lot of stuff in the years after but even then most of what I have enjoyed from 1990 to today was from the `90s. It's just been winding down ever since the late `80s. Of course all that is just my humble opinion, but I assure you it's not purely due to nostalgia.

[@anabanana4526]

They were melodic geniuses and amazing song writers. When you actually sit down and analyze their arrangements like you did, it's amazing what they did. Their music stood out to me always and they are definitely on the superior side of what 80's music had to offer.

[@MrsJAPet]

They are... 😂

[@KurtRichterCISSP]

YESSS LOVE TEARS FOR FEARS! - I first fell in love with 5-string bass in Break It Down Again - Decades later, and I have one hanging on my wall!

[@karengalvan7138]

Kurt Richter yes I love that song!

[@brucesmith9144]

Kurt, best to put that 5-stringer in action (have 2 myself) 😉

[@KP11520]

In the studio, Roland played the Bass on BIDA. Curt was gone by then.

[@jtoves5734]

I think “Woman in Chains” was ahead of its time and Unappreciated. This is my Favorite Song from Tears for Fears among at least 5 other of their Phenomenal Songs(Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels, The Seeds of Love, Mad Love, & SHOUT!) Kurt Smith’s Heavenly, Gentle yet Soothing Voice & Roland Orzabal’s Incomparable Passion that exudes from his Voice on Every Note, I Thank For for their Gifts thru their Immortal Music! IslandJ

[@MikeKiker]

Awesome! I teach at a School of Rock in Pennsylvania and I've been working up this song with a few of my students for our upcoming "Totally 80's" show. This video is gonna be a huge help for me. A lot of cool subtle parts that I didn't even know were there and a few chord changes I was dead wrong about. Haha! Thanks for this Rick.

[@greense65]

Okay, I'm convinced. I liked Tears for Fears, but thought they were a just sort of a morose, but poppy, outfit. Now I know these guys really knew what they were doing! Once again, Rick greatly expands my appreciation of music.

[@guillermo3564]

Daniel Marquis S Green for the ultimate in complexity and composition, give 'Woman In Chains' from the Seeds of Love album, a listen. With headphones. Try to keep up. There's so much going on in that song, it will blow your mind.

[@JungleJuiceJoey]

@@guillermo3564 GAHHH Woman In Chains IS AMAZING

[@nefelibatics]

You can try this approach with any of their albums. Go expecting nothing special. Leave absolutely dumbfounded.

[@frankgreco]

I originally thought the same. Then I had to transcribe it for a gig with a new band. I was blown away at how intricate it was. Rick's vid even makes it more impressive.

[@kathrynmdesign]

Guillermo that song ... I think it’s my favorite of theirs. Just beautiful. I got Seeds of Love on cassette when I was probably 12? I can’t say how many times I listened to it. I was sooo excited to get a copy on CD finally when I was in college!~ haha~

[@scounter72]

Wonderful band. Stunning song. Goosebumps all the way. A masterful pop composition with so many lovely details and so well produced.

[@moreheff]

So glad Rick points out the bass at the end of the song, but really, listen to the bass line in the whole song. Curt nails it in every respect. The actual line and the feel are totally on the money. Great song and my favourite by them. It has everything

[@Incomudro1963]

You left out the "Yeah!" Love that part.

[@Frst2nxt]

This is certainly one of my alltime favorite songs. It really does give a feeling of the corridors of time through which life's anxiously hopeful dramas play out season into season.

[@sploit777]

Probably my favorite 80s pop song. Just a masterpiece

[@twoeggcups]

That’s my favourite Tears for Fears track by a wide margin, though I always thought it was Curt’s voice doing the doubling. Love the piano riff, love the drum build I even like the flanger effect on the end vocal.

[@shannonpincombe4563]

1985! Great year for music. I play this track for my daughters quite often as its in my 'top tracks' list. They groove to it. You see? This modern music, all samples and junk melodies hasn't taken all of the joy from young ears. Love your work Rick.

[@OldMusicFan83]

I was with the US Army in West Berlin and used to hear this on AFN Radio and Radio in the American Sector (RIAS). Really takes me back...

[@logankaia]

I totally love TFF. I was 10 when TFF released The Hurting and was just starting to find my own sound. You can imagine how thrilled I was when my, then, 12 yr old daughter asked to go to Santa Barbara to see TFF in 2017. TFF is timeless and I hope we get another chance to see them again.

[@douglasgreen437]

I saw them at the Santa Barbara county bowl in about 1990..🤔

[@danieldamore3187]

I freaking love this song. Thanks for doing this video, Rick your the man!!

[@LudwigSC93]

Whole album is amazing. A must own!

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

It takes me to a different time and place...to another dimension!