Album Information:
Album ID: 9903
About Tears For Fears:
Tears for Fears is a British pop/rock band that was formed in Bath, England in 1981. The band consists of Roland Orzabal on vocals and guitar, and Curt Smith on bass and vocals. Tears for Fears rose to prominence with their debut album, The Hurting, which was released in 1983.
Prior to forming Tears for Fears, Orzabal and Smith were members of a band called Graduate, which gained some success in the late 1970s. After a few years of playing together, Orzabal and Smith decided to form their own band, and Tears for Fears was born.
The Hurting was a critical and commercial success, earning the band a number of hits including 'Mad World,' 'Pale Shelter,' and 'Change.' The album dealt heavily with themes of emotional pain and distress, drawing inspiration from the work of psychologist Arthur Janov.
Tears for Fears' second album, Songs from the Big Chair, was released in 1985 and was an even bigger commercial success than their first album. The album produced hit singles such as 'Shout,' 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World,' and 'Head Over Heels.' The album also won the band two BRIT Awards for Best British Single and Best British Album.
The band's third album, The Seeds of Love, was released in 1989 and marked a departure from their previous synth-pop sound. The album was more experimental and featured more organic instrumentation, including strings and horns. The album was a critical success but did not achieve the same commercial success as their previous albums.
After the release of The Seeds of Love, Orzabal and Smith had a falling out and the band split up. Orzabal continued to release music under the name Tears for Fears, while Smith pursued a solo career.
In 2004, Orzabal and Smith reunited and released the album Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. The album saw the band return to their synth-pop roots and was well-received by critics.
Throughout their career, Tears for Fears has sold over 30 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful British bands of the 1980s. Their music has been praised for its emotional depth and willingness to address difficult themes. Today, they are remembered as one of the most influential and enduring bands of the era.
About the album The Seeds Of Love:
The Seeds Of Love is the third studio album by British band Tears For Fears, released in September 1989. The album was a departure from their previous synth-pop sound, incorporating more elements of rock and psychedelia.
The album opens with the title track, a lush and orchestral piece that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The next track, 'Woman in Chains', features guest vocals from Oleta Adams and has a gospel-infused sound that builds to a powerful climax.
Other standout tracks on the album include 'Advice for the Young at Heart', a soaring ballad that features a haunting piano melody and emotional vocal delivery, and 'Famous Last Words', which features a driving bassline and soaring guitar solos.
The album also includes the hit single 'Sowing the Seeds of Love', which features a catchy chorus and politically charged lyrics that criticize the greed and corruption of the modern world.
Musically, The Seeds Of Love is a complex and layered album, with intricate arrangements and a wide range of instruments, including horns, strings, and woodwinds. The album's production is top-notch, thanks in part to the involvement of legendary producer and engineer Trevor Horn.
Overall, The Seeds of Love is a timeless and ambitious album that showcases Tears For Fears' growth as artists and their willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles.
Members:
Tears for Fears was founded in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, both from Bath, England. The band has gone through various personnel changes over the years, but the following are notable members:
1. Roland Orzabal: Roland Orzabal was born on August 22, 1961, in Portsmouth, England. He is a singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Orzabal is the lead vocalist and guitarist for Tears for Fears. He is also the primary songwriter for the band and has written many of their hit songs. Orzabal has released several solo albums and has worked as a producer for other artists.
2. Curt Smith: Curt Smith was born on June 24, 1961, in Bath, England. He is a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Smith is the bassist and co-vocalist for Tears for Fears. He is also a co-writer of many of their hit songs. Smith has released several solo albums and has worked as an actor, appearing in several films and TV shows.
3. Ian Stanley: Ian Stanley was born on February 28, 1957, in London, England. He is a keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer. Stanley joined Tears for Fears in 1982 and played keyboards on their first three albums. He co-wrote many songs for the band, including their hit single 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World.' Stanley left Tears for Fears in 1990 and has since worked as a producer for other artists.
4. Manny Elias: Manny Elias was born on July 12, 1955, in Cairo, Egypt. He is a drummer and percussionist. Elias joined Tears for Fears in 1981 and played on their first two albums. He left the band in 1986 to pursue other interests but has continued to work as a session musician and has released several solo albums.
5. Nicky Holland: Nicky Holland was born on January 22, 1954, in Newcastle, England. She is a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter. Holland joined Tears for Fears in 1985 and played keyboards on their album 'The Seeds of Love.' She co-wrote several songs for the band and provided backing vocals on many of their recordings. Holland left Tears for Fears in 1990 and has since worked as a solo artist and a session musician.
Track List for The Seeds Of Love:
1. 'Woman in Chains' (featuring Oleta Adams) - 6:30
This track opens with a haunting organ and soon introduces the powerful vocals of Oleta Adams. The song is a commentary on gender politics and features lyrics like 'You better love loving and you better behave.' The musical arrangement is highlighted by a piano solo and a choir of backup singers.
2. 'Badman's Song' - 8:32
This track begins with a sturdy guitar riff before diving into Roland Orzabal's laidback vocals. The song's lyrics deal with themes of self-identity and isolation. The middle section is highlighted by a duet between Orzabal and a female vocalist before returning to the opening guitar riff.
3. 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' - 6:18
The album's lead single, 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' was one the band's biggest hits. It is a tribute to the psychedelic pop music of the 1960s with its folky acoustic guitars, swirling Hammond organ, and choral harmonies. The track's lyrics call for unity and togetherness amidst a world of political turmoil.
4. 'Advice for the Young at Heart' - 4:50
A sparse piano and bass intro sets the stage for this track's heartfelt lyrics about growing up and finding one's place in the world. The chorus is anthemic and inspiring with the repeated lines of 'Take care of your own, be mindful of the light.'
5. 'Standing on the Corner of the Third World' - 5:33
This ballad is an emotional response to the poverty and suffering that the band observed when traveling in Africa. The song's moving vocals and dramatic arrangements create a powerful sense of empathy and urgency.
6. 'Swords and Knives' - 6:14
A funky guitar riff begins this uptempo track which speaks to the dangers of a society that has become too reliant on material goods and power. The song's chorus is catchy and promotes the idea of forgiveness and understanding.
7. 'Year of the Knife' - 7:08
This track's driving rhythm section is coupled with psychedelic synthesizers and atmospheric background vocals. The song's lyrics address issues of political corruption, environmental degradation, and social unrest.
8. 'Famous Last Words' - 4:26
The album's closing track is a smooth, mellow ballad that features a simple piano melody and emotive vocals. The lyrics reflect on the fleeting nature of fame and fortune, urging the listener to cherish what truly matters in life. Overall, The Seeds of Love is an impressive album that showcases the artistic range and lyrical depth of Tears for Fears.
Discography for Tears For Fears:
Sure, here is the complete discography for Tears For Fears in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:
Albums:
1. The Hurting (1983)
2. Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
3. The Seeds of Love (1989)
4. Elemental (1993)
5. Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995)
6. Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004)
7. Rule the World: The Greatest Hits (2017)
Singles:
1. 'Suffer the Children' (1981)
2. 'Pale Shelter' (1982)
3. 'Mad World' (1982)
4. 'Change' (1983)
5. 'Pale Shelter (You Don't Give Me Love)' (1983)
6. 'The Way You Are' (1983)
7. 'Shout' (1984)
8. 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' (1985)
9. 'Head over Heels' (1985)
10. 'I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)' (1985)
11. 'Mother's Talk' (1986)
12. 'Everybody Wants to Run the World' (1986)
13. 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' (1989)
14. 'Woman in Chains' (1989)
15. 'Advice for the Young at Heart' (1990)
16. 'Famous Last Words' (1990)
17. 'Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)' (1992)
18. 'Break It Down Again' (1993)
19. 'Cold' (1993)
20. 'Raoul and the Kings of Spain' (1995)
21. 'God's Mistake' (1996)
22. 'Closest Thing to Heaven' (2004)
23. 'Call Me Mellow' (2005)
Other releases:
1. 'The Way You Are' EP (1983)
2. 'Mothers Talk' (U.S. Remix) EP (1986)
3. 'Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams' (1991)
4. 'Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82–92)' (1992)
5. 'Goodnight Song' EP (1995)
6. 'Secret World' EP (2006)