The Hurting (released March 1983): |
Selections from Songs from the Big Chair (1985): |
About the band's name:
"It came from one of [Arthur Janov's] book called The Prisoners of Pain, just a chapter about children's nightmares, and it put forth a theory that if every child was allowed to be normal, they wouldn't invent monsters to be scared of. I mean, the monsters are invented because the children can't admit what they're scared of. And one of the ways to allow children to be natural, if they're upset about something and cry, is to let them. Tears as a replacement for fears, Tears for Fears."
"And she [Orzabal's childhood guitar teacher] had a copy of [Janov's] The Primal Scream, and she said, 'Why don't you read it?' And I read it and it felt like a revelation. I identified with the feelings expressed in the book and this idea that you can unburden yourself of all those dark and tormented feelings. I took to it like the proverbial duck and became very evangelical about it as well. My only convert was Curt who identified with it as well. It was then pretty much us against the world. It was like we were born again."
About the influences behind The Hurting:
"Influence-wise, we probably were harking back to Joy Division, doing a sort a pop version to begin with."
"The Hurting" from The Hurting (1983) |
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Is it an horrific dream Could you understand a child |
You've been told you're wrong Get in line with the things you know |
"Mad World" from The Hurting (1983)
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All around me are familiar faces Worn out places Worn out faces Bright and early for their daily races Their tears are filling up their glasses Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow And I find it kind of funny |
Children waiting for the day they feel good Happy birthday Happy birthday Made to feel the way that every child should Went to school and I was very nervous Hello teacher, tell me what’s my lesson And I find it kind of funny |
"Pale Shelter" (from The Hurting, 1983; this version is live at Rockpalast, West Germany, May 1983)
"It's a kind of love song, though more referring to one's parents than to a girl." -- Roland Orzabal Note: The song's title was inspired by the work of British sculptor Henry Moore. |
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How can I be sure? When your intrusion is my illusion How can I be sure? When all the time you changed my mind I asked for more and more How can I be sure? When you don’t give me love How can I be sure? When you don’t give me love |
I’ve been here before There is no why, no need to try I thought you had it all I’m calling you, I’m calling you I ask for more and more How can I be sure? When you don’t give me love You don't give me love You don't give me, love! You don't give me love You don't give me, love! (repeat) |
"Start of the Breakdown" (from The Hurting, 1983; this version is live at Rockpalast, West Germany, May 1983)
"It was a reference to my father, who had a nervous breakdown. 'Dry skin flakes when there's ice in the veins...' He had arterial sclerosis, and breakdown is the nervous breakdown. At that time there were certain bands that allowed you to be that morbid, and they were cool bandspeople like Joy Divisionwho really glorified that kind of pain and suicidal instincts." -Roland Orzabal |
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Scratch the ice Let the telephone ring Sense of time is a powerful thing And we love to laugh Love to cry Half alive We love to Go slow when we’re dancing for rain Is this the start of the breakdown? |
Scratch the earth Dig the burial ground Sense of time won’t be easily found And ten out of ten For the ones who defend Pretend too Breakdown is a final demand
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"Memories Fade" (from The Hurting, 1983)
"The whole notion of repression in psychology is that although things are shoved to the back of one's mind, they still exert a force on your behaviour, creating phobias, depression, insecurities...You're using up energy when you're repressing things, which could be used for far better things..." - Roland Orzabal |
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There’s only need I love your need So much I’m losing me I cannot see the reason for the Pain With hungry joy I’ll be your toy Just hoping you will play Without hope my body starts to fail Memories fade but the scars still linger I cannot grow |
Engulfed by you What can I do? When History’s my cage Look forward to a future in the past Memories fade but the scars still linger The more I talk |
"Ideas as Opiates" (from The Hurting, 1983; this version is live on British TV, 1983)
"That's the chapter from Janov, and it's really a reference to people's mindsets, the way that the ego can suppress so much nasty information about oneselfthe gentle way that the mind can fool oneself into thinking everything is great." -Roland Orzabal "It really was all about that kind of thingthe psychological answer to religion being the opiate of the masses, whereas we thought ideas were, more than anything else." -Curt Smith |
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Say what you want Say what you want Say what you will Say what you want 'Cos I find |
Say what you want Say what you want Say what you will Say what you want 'Cos I find And lies spread on lies |
"Suffer the Children" from The Hurting (1983) |
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It's a sad affair |
'Cos he knows in his heart you won't be home soon |
"Watch Me Bleed" from The Hurting (1983) |
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Heaven comes to he who waits Watch me bleed Although my face is straight, it lies |
Watch me bleed It's not allowed to be unkind |
"Change" from The Hurting (1983) |
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You walked into the room, I did not have the time, Change And something on your mind became a point of view |
We walk and talk in time, Change What has happened to |
"The Prisoner" from The Hurting (1983) |
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Here behind the wall |
Here in my mind |
"Shout" from Songs from the Big Chair (1985) |
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Shout, shout Shout, shout In violent times, You shouldn’t have to jump for joy Shout, shout Shout, shout |
They gave you life, I hope we live to tell the tale Shout, shout Shout, shout And when you’ve taken down your guard I’d really love to break your heart Shout, shout
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"The Working Hour" (Live on The Tube, British TV, 1985)
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These things This is the working hour This day |
All lies This is the working hour Find out |
"I Believe" from Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
I believe
That when the hurting and the pain has gone
We will be strong
Oh yes, we will be strongAnd I believe
That if I’m crying while I write these words
Is it absurd?
Or am I being real?I believe
That if you knew just what these tears were for
They would just pour
Like every drop of rainThat’s why I believe
It is too late for anyone to believeI believe
That if you thought for a moment,
Took your time,
You would not resign yourself
Resign yourself to your fate
And I believe
That if it’s written in the stars,
That’s fine,
I can’t deny that I’m a Virgo tooI believe
That if you're bristling while you hear this song
I could be wrong,
Or have I hit a nerve?That’s why I believe
It is too late for anyone to believeI believe
That maybe somewhere in the darkness,
In the nighttime,
In the storm,
In the casino,
Casino Spanish eyesI believe
No, I can’t believe
That every time you hear a new born scream
You just can’t see the shaping of a life
The shaping of a lifeIt's too late now