Spinning Singles: Tears for Fears - "Head Over Heels"
"...With one foot in the past, now just how long will it last?"
On February 7, 1985, I took my first breaths. A couple of weeks later, almost as if it was meant to be, one of my favorite records of all time was released.
Welcome to a new series, featuring shorter posts that cover specific singles I’ve been spinning lately for any number of reasons. I hope you enjoy the brief breakdowns of some of my favorite singles from various eras and genres. If you do, please consider subscribing to Nate Spins Vinyl by simply entering your email address below…
Tears for Fears is a legendary band of the “New Wave” era, and the multi-platinum album Songs from the Big Chair is what cemented that status. It has sold over five million units in the U.S. alone and more than 10 million worldwide.
Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels
Broken (Live)
Listen
Of the six singles released off Songs from the Big Chair, “Head over Heels” was the fourth, hitting the radio waves on June 14, 1985, slightly more than 40 years ago at time of writing. The song would not quite reach the heights of the two previous Tears for Fears’ chart toppers, “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” but climbing to the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 is nothing to scoff at.
“Head over Heels” begins with an alluring keyboard intro by Ian Stanley, before being joined by the strings. It then progresses into a pop triumph heavily focused on the unique vocal stylings of Roland Orzabal. The other face of Tears for Fears, Curt Smith, is on bass and backing vocals for the track.
“‘Head Over Heels’ is probably the closest we'll (Tears for Fears) ever get to a love song.”
Orzabal is also featured in the narrative-based music video that accompanied the hit song. Directed by Nigel Dick, it was the fourth time that the band had collaborated with the prolific music video producer. Joan Densmore portrays the object of Orzabal’s affection in the four-minute recording.
Nate, you're making me feel old 😂. I saw them on this tour. Excellent live band. I think "The Working Hour" is probably another favorite of mine from that record. Here's what they played the night I saw them https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/tears-for-fears/1985/lsu-assembly-center-baton-rouge-la-23dc20ef.html
“Shout” is what you play when therapy’s booked out till next month. It’s the musical equivalent of yelling into a pillow — if the pillow had shoulder pads and a perm.
📌 Big hair, big synths, bigger feelings.
⬖ Straight from the loud corner of Frequency of Reason: https://bit.ly/4jTVv69