Tears for Fears

Released: February 25, 1985

Songwriter: Manny Elias Ian Stanley Roland Orzabal

Producer: Chris Hughes

[Verse 1]
These things that I've been told
Can rearrange
My world, my doubt
In time, but inside out

[Chorus]
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes

[Verse 2]
This day and age for all
And not for one
All lies and secrets
Put on, put on and on

[Chorus]
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes

[Post-Chorus]
Fear is such a vicious thing
It wraps me up in chains

[Bridge]
Find out, find out
What this fear is about
Find out, find out
What this fear is about

[Bridge]
Find out, find out
What this fear is about

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

Songs from the Big Chair

From the album

Songs from the Big Chair (1985)

Tears for Fears popular songs

The Working HourTears for Fears

Tears for Fears

Songs from the Big Chair