Strangely enough, 'Ready Boy & Girls?' is the only new release by Tears for fears this decade. This is as much a statement of fact as it is a prediction. A new album by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal has been awaited for the last few years, but nothing seems to be forthcoming. They are performing live, but if we were to believe Curt Smith on Twitter, the partnership is hanging by its fingernails right now - he almost didn't come along on tour this year.
So here it is, a white vinyl 10" vinyl record, featuring three cover versions done in Tears for fears style, released in a limited edition of 3000 for Record Store Day 2014. The songs on this record were originally recorded by Animal Collective, Arcade Fire and Hot Chip respectively. It took me five years to get this record, because Record Store Day releases are infamous for their ridiculous prices and their limited availability - especially since the region where I live has no record shops anymore. But lo and behold, I found a good copy for a reasonable price.
My collection: 10" single [unnumbered]
Found: Discogs.com, received May 2, 2019
Cost: 9 pounds
Tracks: 'My girls' / 'Ready to start', 'And I was a boy from school'
Showing posts with label Tears for fears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tears for fears. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 May 2019
Monday, 15 April 2019
The way you are - Tears for fears
The single 'The way you are' by Tears for Fears was released as a 'stopgap' between their first and second album. The song was actually recorded for the purpose of releasing a single, something the band looks back on with a certain amount of regret. In 2014, Curt Smith commented: 'We got over it and managed to go on and have more success despite that
song. It’s one of those things that we can’t take it back, but we wish
we hadn’t done it.'
Personally, I think it's one of the band's more interesting single releases. With all the percussion going on, it's a very amusing track to listen to. Which is why I was glad to find this promotional 7" single. It features the (regular) 'long version' and a (rare) 'short version'. Basically, the short version just fades out half a minute earlier, but still, it's a nice find.
My collection: 7" single no. 6032
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The way you are (short version)' / 'The way you are (long version)'
Personally, I think it's one of the band's more interesting single releases. With all the percussion going on, it's a very amusing track to listen to. Which is why I was glad to find this promotional 7" single. It features the (regular) 'long version' and a (rare) 'short version'. Basically, the short version just fades out half a minute earlier, but still, it's a nice find.
My collection: 7" single no. 6032
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 13, 2019
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'The way you are (short version)' / 'The way you are (long version)'
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Change - Tears for Fears
The single Change was originally released as a single from Tears for Fears' debut album 'The hurting', and apparently there were different versions of the sleeve. When 'The hurting' was released as a boxed 3cd-1dvd deluxe edition, this new 7" single was offered by Universal as a limited edition bonus, featuring a reprint of a rare sleeve. Indeed, I've never seen this sleeve before, so it is probably pretty rare.
The tracks on this single are identical to the original release: 'Change' from the album and the intriguing B-side, 'The conflict'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5355
Found: Universal mail order, November 2013
Cost: nought, but the box set wasn't cheap of course.
Tracks: 'Change' / 'The conflict'
The tracks on this single are identical to the original release: 'Change' from the album and the intriguing B-side, 'The conflict'.
My collection: 7" single no. 5355
Found: Universal mail order, November 2013
Cost: nought, but the box set wasn't cheap of course.
Tracks: 'Change' / 'The conflict'
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Mothers talk - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0jcyzCkQNg/T2um8fcRsfI/AAAAAAAAMe4/bUrdUZ0l2vU/s200/tearsforfears24.jpg)
Now if you expect to get a really good remix, you're bound to be disappointed. Personally I find this remix noisy and a bit 'too much'. But any collector of Tears for Fears will be delighted to hear this mix nonetheless, as it's pretty rare. It only found its way onto cd in 2006 when Mercury released the 'Deluxe edition' of 'Songs from the big chair'.
My collection: 12" single no. 632
Found: All that music, Leiden
Cost: 14,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Mothers talk (Beat of the drum mix)' / 'Empire building'
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Mothers talk - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ANAFwUpQniY/T1kriKln6II/AAAAAAAAMG4/eeq6zJvXZlk/s200/tearsforfears23.jpg)
This 12" single was released as one of two different versions. It featured the original extended version. In Germany, a 12" single - which I also have - was released with the very same sleeve, but announcing this extended version as the 'Beat of the drum mix'. But that was actually a different mix, one that I will write about in the next blog about Tears for Fears...
My collection: 12" single no. 22 / no. 631
Found: Free Record Shop, 1985 / All that music, Leiden, unknown date
Cost: 7 guilders / 12,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Mothers talk (extended mix)' / 'Empire building'
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Pale shelter - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cND543gq_IQ/Ty2E6G754CI/AAAAAAAAMCs/YJVJEaifptc/s200/tearsforfears22.jpg)
'Pale shelter' has always been my favourite Tears for Fears song. I remember watching television (Music Box and Sky Channel) for hours just to see this music video. I always assumed the single was a flop because it didn't chart in the Netherlands, but later found out that upon this re-release, the single actually peaked at number 5 in the UK singles chart!
My collection: 12" single no. 290
Found: Record fair, 1996
Cost: unknown
Tracks: 'Pale shelter (extended version)' / 'Pale shelter', 'We are broken'
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Pale shelter (You don't give me love) - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXusepR-9U/TxrrFgIePBI/AAAAAAAAL6I/b2NlzNDnSik/s200/tff7.jpg)
But I've figured it out now. What you see here is the most recent re-release of the single. Subtitled 'You don't give me love', this version was released in 1985 after the success of the band's second album 'Songs from the big chair'. But... wait for it... It features the original version of the song! 'Pale shelter' was re-recorded for Tears for Fears' debut album 'The hurting', and that version was released as a single the second time around. However, this 12" single features the original single and 12" version, produced by Mike Howlett.
My collection: 12" single no. 290
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1996
Cost: 3 pounds
Tracks: 'Pale shelter (extended version)' / 'Pale shelter', 'The prisoner'
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/S1ru3IWk71I/AAAAAAAAIH0/Yrrf0Gt90r4/s200/johnnypanic2.jpg)
The track, which is an alternative version of Tears for Fears's 1989 hit single 'Sowing the seeds of love', originally appeared as the B-side to their 1990 single 'Advice for the young at heart'. The song was later remixed by producer/DJ Fluke and released as a single in 1991. The single did not chart in the UK and has since become quite a collectors item among Tears for Fears fans.
My collection: 7" single no. 3072
Found: Record Exchange, London, May 10, 1999
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 1)' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams (mix 2)'
Monday, 19 October 2009
Goodnight song - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/StzOT3CFwiI/AAAAAAAAGRM/Mtbp2ZeIfWk/s200/tearsforfears20.jpg)
The single was not very successful, as it didn't chart in any territory. Until recently, I didn't even know a 7" single of this release existed.
My collection: 7" single no. 4118
Found: eBay.com, received October 19, 2009
Cost: $3
Tracks: 'Goodnight song' / 'New star'
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Suffer the children - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Str2_GnPJYI/AAAAAAAAGMc/k0JoHyZUlhU/s200/tearsforfears18.jpg)
The original 7" version of "Suffer The Children" is distinct from the version found on their debut album 'The hurting' by the inclusion of an extra Curt Smith-sung lyric at the beginning of the song.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Str2_rm1KJI/AAAAAAAAGMk/s6cEodUZXOI/s200/tearsforfears19.jpg)
My collection: 7" single no. 1319
Found: London, October 16, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Suffer the children' / 'Wino'
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Cold - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/StHv-MxTCDI/AAAAAAAAGCE/PR34e5-oI9A/s200/tearsforfears17.jpg)
'Cold' was released as the second single from the album 'Elemental' in July 1993. The single reached number 72 in the UK singles chart, but flopped everywhere else.
My collection: 7" single no. 2002
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1993
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Cold' / 'New star'
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Break it down again - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Ssc1FE0ZTxI/AAAAAAAAF4g/bUOxpsm5pu0/s200/tearsforfears16.jpg)
'Break it down again' is a less explosive song. It was released as the first single from 'Elemental' in May 1993 and reached number 20 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 25.
My collection: 7" single no. 1918
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, June 5, 1993
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Break it down again' / 'Bloodletting go'
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Woman in chains - Tears for Fears featuring Oleta Adams
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqgdauWU4AI/AAAAAAAAFYo/1cG0KOJWskk/s200/tearsforfears15.jpg)
While the original release reached number 26 in the UK singles chart, this re-release only managed to scrape in at number 57, and then dropped of the chart again the next week.
My collection: 7" single no. 2843
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 5, 1997
Cost: 3 guilders
Tracks: 'Woman in chains' / 'Badman's song'
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Laid so low (Tears roll down) - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SqJ_omIr-7I/AAAAAAAAFOw/QxVLt1R1Th4/s200/tearsforfears14.jpg)
'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' was released in February 1992 and reached number 17 in the UK singles chart, and number 27 in the Dutch Top 40. The compilation album 'Tears roll down (Greatest hits 82-92)' followed quickly and reached number 2 in the UK albums chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 1585
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, February 15, 1992
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' / 'The body wah'
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Famous last words - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SplO6lAfC-I/AAAAAAAAFHg/qFeiLod_1oo/s200/tearsforfears13.jpg)
The single peaked at number 83 in the UK singles chart. Around this time, Curt Smith left Tears for Fears and Roland Orzabal continued the band alone.
My collection: 7" single no. 1348
Found: Melody Maker, October 27, 1990
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Famous last words' / 'Mothers talk (US remix)'
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Advice for the young at heart - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SoMwez4iYwI/AAAAAAAAEyE/cHNViNb-YeE/s200/tearsforfears11.jpg)
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SoMwffYBcSI/AAAAAAAAEyM/cxKUuy0dXx4/s200/tearsforfears12.jpg)
The music video for this single was the last Tears for Fears video to feature both Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith before their acrimonious split in the early Nineties. It would be 15 years before they made a video together again ('Closest thing to heaven' in 2005).
My collection: 7" single no. 1230
Found: Esprit Mail Order, received July 1990
Cost: 5 pounds
Tracks: 'Advice for the young at heart' / 'Johnny Panic and the bible of dreams'
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Woman in chains - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SnYBEzjec1I/AAAAAAAAEj8/vi-hhNijp6o/s200/tearsforfears10.jpg)
Roland Orzabal explained about the lyric: 'The song is also about how men traditionally play down the feminine side of their characters and how both men and women suffer for it.... I think men in a patriarchal society are sold down the river a bit - okay, maybe we're told that we're in control but there are also a hell of a lot of things that we miss out on, which women are allowed to be.' The single peaked at number 26 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 1115
Found: Melody Maker, Den Haag, November 17, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Woman in chains' / 'Always in the past'
Monday, 13 July 2009
Sowing the seeds of love - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SluVC8HBiuI/AAAAAAAAEFU/gkxRD2jZo-g/s200/tearsforfears9.jpg)
The single was a wordwide success, reaching number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the Dutch Top 40 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The B-side 'Tears roll down' was a demo version of a track the band would record as 'Laid so low (Tears roll down)' a few years later for the compilation album 'Tears roll down (Greatest hits 82-92)'.
My collection: 7" single no. 988
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Sowing the seeds of love' / 'Tears roll down'
Monday, 22 June 2009
I believe (A soulful re-recording) - Tears for Fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/Sj_7RCDiOOI/AAAAAAAADnA/ZCH--Vq4lqE/s200/tff5.jpg)
This limited edition double single also featured the album version of 'I believe' along with a rather rare remix of 'Shout'.
My collection: 7" single no. 375
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 12 guilders
Tracks: 'I believe (A soulful re-recording)' / 'Sea song' // 'I believe (album version)' / 'Shout (dub mix)'
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Head over heels - Tears for fears
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20200623152800im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HvCNHaaadrI/SjlgMVqj5LI/AAAAAAAADgo/-1MIbMH62gQ/s200/tff4.jpg)
The single performed well in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 12, but in the US Billboard Hot 100 it fared even better: it reached number 3. The music video is centered around Roland Orzabal's attempts to get the attention of a librarian (played by a Canadian model), while a variety of characters (many played by the rest of the band) take part in shenanigans in the library. The final scene shows Orzabal and the librarian as an older married couple. The video was filmed at the Emmanuel College Library in Toronto, Canada.
My collection: 7" single no. 302
Found: LP Top 100, Den Haag, 1985
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Head over heels' / 'When in love with a blind man'
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