Tears for Fears built their mid-’80s hits from layered synths, programmed drums and big, emotional vocals from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Isolated tracks strip those songs back to their individual parts so you can hear how the productions were constructed.
What to listen for in Tears for Fears’s isolated tracks
- Two lead singers. Orzabal and Smith trade lead vocals; Everybody Wants to Rule the World is sung by Smith, Shout mostly by Orzabal.
- Synth layering. Instrumental and keys-only versions reveal how many separate synth parts make up a single chorus.
- Programmed and live drums together. Their records mix drum machines with live percussion, which is easier to pick apart in isolation.
About Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, from Bath, England. Their 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair produced Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Head over Heels. The duo split in the early ’90s, reunited in the 2000s and released The Tipping Point in 2022.
Tears for Fears at a glance
Genre
New wave, pop rock
Labels
Epic
Gut
Mercury
Fontana
Universal
Artist Website Link: http://tearsforfears.com/
Discography
The Hurting (1983)
Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
The Seeds of Love (1989)
Elemental (1993)
Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995)
Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004)
MultiTracks
Tears For Fears | Shout (instrumental)
Tears for Fears isolated tracks: FAQ
Who sings Everybody Wants to Rule the World?
Curt Smith sings lead on Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
Which album is Shout on?
Shout is from Songs from the Big Chair (1985).
Are Tears for Fears still together?
Yes. Orzabal and Smith released The Tipping Point in 2022 and have toured since.
Want to make your own isolated track of any song? See our guide: Isolated Tracks: What They Are, Where They Come From and How to Make Your Own.