THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
640-Tears for Fears-Change.
1983-Number 4 single.
Best Bit-At 2.39. ‘Dance like nobody’s watching.’
Tears for Fears (see also best songs 24) were formed in Bath, Somerset, England, in 1981, by Roland Orzabal, and Curt Smith. The groups name was inspired by the trauma based psychotherapy, ‘Primal Therapy,’ which had been developed by the American psychologist Arthur Janov, (1924-2017) which had gained tremendous publicity after John Lennon (1940-1980) became Janov’s patient in 1970. Shortly after forming Tears for Fears, Orzabal and Smith were joined by Ian Stanley, (keyboards) and Manny Elias, (drums) Elias left the group in 1986, and Stanley in 1987. Roland Orzabal, and Curt Smith recorded and toured together, until falling out with each other in 1991. In 2000 after not speaking to each other in nearly 10 years, they had to meet up to sign some routine paperwork, and this led to a re-union, and the recording of the sixth studio Album ‘Everybody Loves a Happy Ending’ in 2004. At the time of writing Tears for Fears remain active, with Roland Orzabal being the groups one constant.
The discography of Tears for Fears includes seven studio Albums released between 1983-2022, and 39 singles released between 1981-2023, there are also three official compilation Albums, four box sets, and two live Albums available. In the UK, 17 of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World,’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1985. Although they have never had a UK Number 1 single, a version of their 1982 Number 3 hit ‘Mad World,’ when issued in 2003 by Michael Andrews, and Gary Jules, was that years Christmas Number 1 single. In America, Tears for Fears became one of the most successful British acts of the 1980’s, achieving seven top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with both ‘Shout,’ (1984) and ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World,’ (1985) reaching the Number 1 position. Tears for Fears released their first five studio Albums between 1983-1995, then the next in 2004, and the latest in 2022.
Roland Orzabal, was born Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana, on August 22nd, 1961, in Bath, Somerset, England, he first met Curt Smith while both were in their early teens in Bath. In the late 1970’s, they formed a ‘Mod’ music group, called ‘Graduate,’ along with three other members, with which they released one Album ‘Acting My Age,’ and then disbanded. Orzabal and Smith then briefly joined the English ‘New Wave’ band ‘Neon,’ in the early 1980’s, before going on to form Tears for Fears. After Orzabal and Smith split in 1991, Orzabal continued recording under the Tears for Fears name, releasing the Albums ‘Elemental,’ (1993) and ‘Raoul and the Kings of Spain,’ (1995) he has also issued one solo Album under his own name, called ‘Tomcats Screaming Outside,’ in 2001. Roland Orzabal provides vocals, guitar, and keyboards for Tears for Fears, as well as being the groups main songwriter. He has won three ‘ Ivor Novello Awards’ for his songwriting, the latest in 2021, along with Curt Smith, for the ‘Outstanding Song Collection,’ by Tears for Fears.
‘Change’ was the fourth and final single released from Tears for Fears’ debut studio Album ‘The Hurting,’ from March 1983, the song was written by Roland Orzabal, with the production being by Chris Hughes, and Ross Cullum. ‘The Hurting’ has been described as partly a ‘concept Album,’ focusing on themes of child abuse, psychological trauma, and depression. The songs were written by Roland Orzabal, and were inspired by his own childhood traumas, and the primal theories by Arthur Janov, with the majority of the songs being heavily inspired by the writings of Janov. Speaking about ‘Change,’ Roland Orzabal has said about the songs meaning,’It;s not really about much. It’s just one of those cheap Pop lyrics,’ while Curt Smith has said,’It’s a strange little Pop song.’
‘You walked in to the room, I just had to laugh, the face you wore was cool, you were a photograph, When it’s all too late, it’s all too late.’