Tears for Fears

Released: March 7, 1983

Songwriter: Roland Orzabal

Producer: Ross Cullum Chris Hughes

[Verse 1: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith]
Is it an horrific dream?
Am I sinking fast?
Could a person be so mean
As to laugh and laugh

[Pre-Chorus 1: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith]
On my own
Could you ease my load?
Could you see my pain?
Could you please explain
The hurting

[Interlude]

[Verse 2: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith]
Could you understand a child
When he cries in pain?
Could you give him all he needs
Or do you feel the same?

[Pre-Chorus 2: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith]
All along
You've been told you're wrong
When you felt it right
And you're left to fight
The hurting

[Chorus: Roland Orzabal]
The hurt, hurt, hurt
The hurt, hurt, hurt

[Interlude]

[Bridge: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith]
Get in line with the things you know
Feel the pain, feel the sorrow
Touch the hurt and don't let go
Don't let go, don't let go
Get in line with the things you know
Learn to cry, like a baby
Then the hurting won't come back
Won't come back, won't come back

[Chorus: Roland Orzabal]
The hurt, hurt, hurt
The hurt, hurt, hurt

[Outro: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, Roland Orzabal]
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt
Is it an horrific dream?
The hurt, hurt, hurt

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

The Hurting

From the album

The Hurting (1983)

Tears for Fears popular songs

The HurtingTears for Fears

Tears for Fears

The Hurting