Tears for Fears

Released: October 10, 1995

Songwriter: Alan Griffiths Roland Orzabal

Producer: Tim Palmer

[Verse 1]
This is a religion
No, this is a drag
That man over there is smoking sweet cigarettes
Hey, look at that fag!

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I had a dream
I saw you swim, sink to your grave
Down to Davy Jones' locker
Under the waves

[Chorus 1]
Don't say, "Thank God for simple truths"

[Verse 2]
Take me to your leader
Take me for a ride
The shutters were never open
The day I used to hide

[Pre-Chorus 2]
All of the things I never knew
I should have said
When you looked like Frida Kahlo
Curled up in bed

[Chorus 2]
Don't say, "Thank God for simple truths"
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby

[Bridge]
So much emotion
These eyes a strange kind of blue
Deep as the ocean
They named a sea after you

[Interlude]

[Chorus 2]
Don't say, "Thank God for simple truths"
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby
Don't drink the water, baby

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

Raoul and the Kings of Spain

From the album

Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995)

Tears for Fears popular songs

Don’t Drink the WaterTears for Fears

Tears for Fears

Raoul and the Kings of Spain