Tears for Fears is a British Pop-Rock band that formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. They moved from making Mod Music to embracing the new synth sounds that dominated the early 80s and are known primarily as a New Wave band. Throughout their career, they released several hit songs and albums that sold at a platinum level. And they had some pretty cool hair, too.
Over the years, the band morphed and changed its sound. They broke up for a quick spell in the 90s. But they got back together and have been writing new songs, releasing them as recently as 2022. So, this band is still growing together and making new music. But, for now, let’s take a look at the top 10 Tears For Fears Songs of all time.
Top 48 Tears For Fears Songs of All Time
1 Pale Shelter (1982)
This song was released as a single in 1982 and is known for its powerful lyrics and emotive vocals. The song’s lyrics deal with themes of protection and insecurity. It was released as a single in 1982. However, it didn’t become a hit until it was re-released in 1983 on the band’s debut full-length album, The Hurting.
This song features a driving synth melody with strummed acoustic chords over a mid-speed tempo. Roland Orzabal’s vocals are powerful here, and the song makes use of a prominent synth bassline.
The song is about longing for a sense of security and protection. For example, lines like, “When you don’t give me love – You give me pale shelter – You don’t give me love – you give me cold hands.” The song’s instrumentation reflects these themes with its melodic synth hooks and emotive vocals.
2 Mad World (1982)
Originally, this song was released as a single in 1982 and then released again on The Hurting. It’s known for its powerful lyrics and emotive vocals.
The song’s lyrics deal with the harshness and absurdity of the modern world, exploring themes of isolation and alienation. Lyrics like, “All around me are familiar faces – Worn out places, worn out faces – Bright and early for their daily races – Going nowhere, going nowhere” from the first verse illustrate these themes well.
The song’s instrumentation reflects these themes with its dark and brooding melody…
This song features a melancholic piano melody and a driving drum beat. Orzabal’s vocals are brooding and almost sob-like here. However, the song was largely overlooked in the 80s.
But, it became a hit when the Michael Andrews and Gary Jules cover was featured in the 2001 film Donnie Darko. The cover version was a lot slower, sadder, and more depressing than the original. That said, the cover version helped make “Mad World” one of the most well-known Tears For Fears songs.
3 Change (1983)
The next song on my list of Tears For Fears’ Top 10 songs is known for its powerful lyrics and emotive vocals. The lyrics of “Change” deal with themes of change and the need to let go of the past to move forward. It was released as the fourth single from the album The Hurting.
This track has a Synth-Pop/New Wave style with an upbeat tempo and a catchy melody. The use of synthesizers and drum machines is prominent in this song. As a result, it has a more electronic feel than much of the band’s other work.
Also, the song features a memorable saxophone solo towards the end, which adds a touch of Funk and Jazz. At the same time, the lyrics aren’t bright and happy at all. Instead, they talk about how being fake and dishonest can ruin a friendship. They tell a friend to “Change – You can change” before it’s too late.
4 Shout (1984)
“Shout” was released as the lead single from the band’s second and more outgoing album, Songs From The Big Chair. It reached #1 in the UK and did well overseas as well. The song reached the Top 10 in several countries, including the UK and US.
This song is considered to be one of Tears for Fears’ signature songs and is known for its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo. The song’s lyrics deal with the release of pent-up emotions. And the chorus includes the iconic phrase, “Shout, shout, let it all out – These are the things I can do without.”
This song’s instrumentation is primarily driven by the synth…
With a crushing drum machine beat and a great guitar solo at the end. Orzabal’s distinctive vocals are as strong as ever here. And the song makes use of call-and-response singing, with the band repeatedly singing the title “Shout” as the song progresses. The track also features the prominent use of a vocoder, which gives the vocals a robotic and electronic feel.
This is one of the most memorable songs of the mid-80s. As well as one of the best Tears For Fears songs of all time.
5 Everybody Wants to Rule the World (1985)
This next song is one of the band’s most successful singles. It reached the top of the charts in several countries and won a Brit Award for Best British Single in 1986.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is known for its memorable Synth-Pop sound and its lyrics, which deal with the desires for power and control. It was released as the second single from the album Songs From The Big Chair and reached #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This song features a catchy synth-driven melody and driving drums…
It has a mid-tempo beat and features Orzabal singing powerfully and with a strong and unique phrasing. The chorus does something unique here, too. While the iconic last line is the same in each chorus, the preceding two rhyming lines change each time.
This makes the song more layered and interesting, such as in “Acting on your best behavior – Turn your back on Mother Nature – Everybody wants to rule the world.” Easily one of the Top 10 Tears For Fears songs.
6 Head Over Heels (1985)
This song is known for its memorable chorus and is considered to be one of the most popular Tears For Fears songs. The song’s lyrics deal with themes of love and the feeling of falling head over heels. It was released as the third single from the album Songs From The Big Chair and reached #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This song has a dreamy and ethereal feel to it, with a gentle synth melody and a mid-tempo beat. The song also features prominent use of synth strings and bell sounds, which add to its dreamy and atmospheric feel.
The lyrics deal with themes of longing and desire. And the song’s instrumentation reflects these themes with its gentle, yearning melody. Love that chorus – “Something happens and I’m head over heels – Ah, don’t take my heart, don’t break my heart – Don’t, don’t, don’t throw it away!”
7 I Believe (1985)
“I Believe” was released as a live recording from Songs From The Big Chair album and presented a very different sound for the band. This song is slow, stripped-down, and soulful. It’s largely missing the drum machine and synth sounds they’re known for. Instead, it focuses on real drums and piano. But, with Orzabal singing, there’s no way you would think this wasn’t a Tears for Fears song.
Once again, the lyrics here are deep and dark. But, they do start with a positive. The first lines are “I believe that when the hurting and the pain has gone – We will be strong – Oh yes we will be strong,” which have a real bittersweet feel to them.
8 Sowing the Seeds of Love (1989)
This song was a hit for the band and features a memorable music video that was played in heavy rotation. The song’s lyrics deal with themes of love, unity, and social change. It was the lead single from the band’s third album, The Seeds of Love, which came out in 1989. It reached the Top 10 in several countries, including the UK, US, and Canada.
This song features a driving beat and an upbeat tempo. The verses are sung in a strong rhythm that’s reminiscent of The Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus,” albeit with a much more 80s sound. But, the chorus, the title line “Sowing the seeds of love,” is a perfect contrast. It’s long and dragged out to make it a bit romantic. This is one of the band’s most memorable tracks.
9 Woman in Chains featuring Oleta Adams (1989)
This song features guest vocals by American singer Oleta Adams and is known for its powerful lyrics and strong vocals. It was the second single from the 1989 The Seeds of Love album and reached the Top 40 in several countries, including the UK and the US. The lyrics deal with themes of woman empowerment and breaking free from societal constraints. Some would call it a feminist anthem.
This song has a slow and soulful tempo, starting very slow and airy. Adams’s vocals are an excellent complement to Orzabal’s. The two trade verses and then sing in unison to create a beautiful, emotional soundscape. Toward the end, the drums and guitar pick up and build the song up to a powerful ending.
10 Break It Down Again (1993)
Tears for Fears split up in 1991. Orzabal continued recording under the band’s name and put out the 4th album, Elemental, in 1993. The song “Break It Down Again” was the first single from this new album and featured a different song that was brighter, poppier, and less brooding.
It has a strong beat that’s about as early-90s as you can get. Orzabal sings higher than usual and is also backed by female vocals for great effect. The song’s lyrics deal with themes of change and the need to break down old patterns to move forward. Check out lines like, “No more sleepy dreaming – No more building up – It is time to dissolve – Break it down again.”
11Memories Fade (1983)
12Watch Me Bleed (1983)
13The Marauders (1983)
14Start of the Breakdown (1983)
15The Hurting (1983)
16Mothers Talk (1984)
17Empire Building (1984)
18I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording) (1985)
19Head to Head (1985)
20Broken (1985)
21Listen (1985)
22Pharaohs (1985)
23Swords and Knives (1985)
24The Big Chair (1985)
25Mothers Talk (U.S. Remix) (1986)
26Shout (Extended Remix) (1985)
27Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Urban Mix) (1985)
28Everybody Wants to Run the World (2019)
29Badman’s Song (1989)
30Year of the Knife (Remix) (1989)
31Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams (1991)
32Lord of Karma (1991)
33Cold (1993)
34Goodnight Song (1993)
35New Star (1995)
36Los Reyes Católicos (1995)
37Secret World (1995)
38Who You Are (1995)
39Me and My Big Ideas (1995)
40Gas Giants (1999)
41Brian Wilson Said (1999)
42Palm of Your Hand (1999)
43The Way You Are (1983)
44Suffer the Children (1983)
45Pale Shelter (Long Version) (1985)
46When in Love with a Blind Man (1985)
47Ideas as Opiates (1985)
48Pharaohs (Egyptian Mix) (1985)
Want More Great Music From the 80s?
Well, check out our thoughts on the Best 80s Rock Songs, the Best 80s Love Songs, the Best 80s Rock Bands, the Most Famous Singers Of The 1980s, the Most Famous Male Singers Of The 1980s, and the Most Famous Female Singers Of The 1980s for more incredible music selections.
The 48 Best Tears For Fears Songs Ever – Final Thoughts
Tears for Fears was one of the defining bands of the 80s. Their massive tracks “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” helped to bring the New Age sound into popular music and are still heavily played on 80s retro radio. This is a band with a distinct sound. Especially thanks to Roland Orzabal’s unique voice and singing style.
Sure, they had some hiccups. Like every band, they had some bumps in the road. They even broke up for close to a decade. But they’re back now and have even recorded a new album, 2022’s The Tipping Point. I, for one, am excited to hear now this 80s band can change and adapt their sound to the world a whole 40 years later.
Until next time, happy listening.
