Tears for Fears

Released: March 7, 1983

Songwriter: Roland Orzabal

Producer: Ross Cullum Chris Hughes

[Verse 1]
There's only need, I love your need
So much I'm losing me
I cannot see the reason for the pain
With hungry joy, I'll be your toy
Just hoping you will play
Without the hope my body starts to fail

[Chorus 1]
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Goodbye, my friend
Will I ever love again?
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Woah, woah

[Verse 2]
I cannot grow, I cannot move
I cannot feel my age
The vice-like grip of tension holds me fast
Engulfed by you, what can I do
When history's my cage?
Look forward to a future in the past

[Chorus 1]
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Goodbye, my friend
Will I ever love again?
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Woah, woah

[Interlude]

[Verse 3]
The more I talk, the more I say
The less you seem to hear
I'm speechless in a most peculiar way
Your mind is weak, your need is great
And nothing is too dear
For you to use to take the pain away

[Chorus 2]
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Goodbye my friend
Will I ever love again?
Memories fade
When I die, pretend you can justify the end
Memories fade but the scars still linger
Woah, woah, still linger
Still linger, woah

Tears for Fears are an English pop band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.

The group rose to fame in 1982 with single “Mad World”, which made it to number 3 in the UK charts and paved the way for the huge success of debut album The Hurting, released in 1983. However, it wasn’t until Songs from the Big Chair in 1985, a change in musical direction towards pop, that the band made it internationally. The record proved to be hit, reaching #2 in the UK and #1 in the US charts, and contains their most well-known singles, “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. Third album The Seeds of Love, released in 1989, performed similarly, entering the UK Albums charts at #1.

In 1991, the band broke up. Curt Smith went on as a solo artist while Roland Orzabal continued as Tears for Fears, releasing Elemental in 1993 to much success in the UK (though significantly less in the US) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain in 1995, which did poorly in the charts, only reaching #41 in the UK but with some acclaim in continental Europe. In 2000, Curt and Roland reunited and recorded what became Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, released in 2004 to positive reviews and moderate success. The band currently continues to tour.

more tracks from the album

Everybody Wants to Rule the World: The Collection

From the albums

The Hurting (1983)
Everybody Wants to Rule the World: The Collection (2013)

Tears for Fears popular songs

Memories FadeTears for Fears

Tears for Fears

Everybody Wants to Rule the World: The Collection