8EEZ Playlist: Tears For Fears

"Welcome to your life

There's no turning back"

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was the assertion this latest spotlight group assured us. And for a brief time in the 1980's...they did.

Guitarist and singer Roland Orazabal and bass guitarist/singer Curt Smith were best high school friends in Bath, England who did what any teenaged friends wanted to do – Form their own rock band. They came up with a very catchy name, "History of Headaches", but, Orazabal, a student of Arthur Janov's "Primal Scream" therapy, decided upon the name Tears For Fears. The name stuck and their careers took off like thunder in their native UK with their debut album, "The Hurting" in 1983.

Three hits: "Mad World", "Change", and "Pale Shelter" made a dent on the UK charts while they were still virtually unknown here in the states. Then, in 1985, their seminal album "Songs From The Big Chair" (the title was taken from the classic TV mini-series, "Sybil", which starred Sally Field as a woman harboring over 30 multiple personalities) made a virtual explosion both here and their native homeland. Their first single off the album was entitled, "Everybody Wants to Rule The World". A bold, brash musical statement that signaled their official arrival. Their Beatle-esque musical hooks and cerebral lyrics were their selling points and their matinee-idol good looks proved they could appeal to the masses without the need for goth, punk or glam.

Their lead-off single went all the way to Number 1 and made them instant stars. Their streak continued with their followup smash, "Shout", which also went to Number 1 made them stars also on MTV. Their next track, "Head Over Heels" went Top 3 in the fall and the album went multi-platinum. A successful tour and their final Top-40 hit, "Mother's Talk"; a remixed dance/new wave track would end the streak in 1986.

A four-year absence found TFF writing, recording, and cutting new music for their next album, "The Seeds of Love"; released in 1989, it yielded their last official top-10 hit, "Sowing The Seeds of Love", which had it's musical roots in the Beatles', "I Am The Walrus". "Advice For The Young at Heart" and "Woman In Chains", which featured piano and co-lead vocals by jazz singer Oleta Adams and percussion by Phil Collins, would usher them into the 1990's.

After another four-year hiatus, TFF would return, but instead of two, there was one. Curt Smith would leave temporarily to pursue a solo career. Roland Orzabal would run the reigns of the group on their next project, "Elemental", in 1993. It yielded their last Top-40 hit, "Break It Down Again". The duo finally reunited in the early 2000's with their comeback album, "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" in 2004. A performance on the Ellen DeGeneres show won them a new legion of fans and they would re-release "Songs From The Big Chair" in 2015 for its 30th anniversary, with previously unreleased material.

They have recently toured with Daryl Hall and John Oates as part of a 1980's double bill music tour. As to whether a new album with new material is on its way...still remains to be seen.

My buddy, Oates has the first 'list as always.

CHERRY'S PICKS

Their very "I Am The Walrus" vibe is what made this song stick. It would also be one of the rare songs on radio to play past the 5-minute mark.

Off their "Elemental" CD, a punchy rock/grunge record that had a killer chorus and was also the one TFF track done strictly by Roland Orzabal, without Curt Smith.

Their Top-3 hit of the "Songs From The Big Chair", didn't go to Number 1, but had a bizarre video set in a library with a Hasidic Jew and a chimpanzee. Why? To advance the nerd and sexy librarian plot along.

Their biggest hit to date - an anthemic rock/new wave song with its memorable chorus and its empowerment lyrics. The style would be repeated in 2012 with the fun. Smash hit, "We Are Young" with Janelle Monae.

A fun little anecdote about this song. When it was first released, I hated it! I found it repetitive, and even boring. Not sure why, but the radio played it non-stop and I just couldn't take it. I guess my buddy Oates didn't think so and has made it his ultimate TFF pick. As for my liking of the song now - let's just say...it IS in my Top-10.

MY PICKS

A hit in the UK that somehow never made it to the states. You can only find it on their "Gold" compilation album. It is actually reviled by the very group that recorded it. I personally find it intriguing and experimental. Great use of percussion and a catchy chorus are what make it work, despite its constant repetition.

4. Head Over Heels (1985)

Also on my list – Just because.

A jazzy/pop/rock ballad about (what I'm presuming is) spousal abuse. Co-singer Oleta Adams was discovered by Orzabal in a hotel lounge. She would also have success on the pop charts and a following in the jazz music circuit. Phil Collins would provide the drums on this track.

A thumping, morose, dark wave/rock track sung by Smith and pretty forward with its subject matter: suicide. Gary Jules would do a slower version for the 2001 psychological thriller "Donnie Darko", starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

A killer anthem rock track. Often, can be interpreted by anyone whose endured bullying or abuse. The album cut is better than the radio edit. Just my two cents.

Thank you again for reading and following.

Next up: Another Canadian rocker who took us to heaven and back.