Tears For Fears, Shout | Throwback Vibez

In the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recollect and reflect on “Shout” by English new wave band Tears For Fears.

Can you feel those vibes, those surefire Throwback Vibez?! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. Ah, there is nothing like a good oldie to get you fired up! The records featured in this column feature gems from the 20^th century, with a few exceptions. All genres of music are welcome. In the 20^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2026), we recall and reflect on “Shout” by Tears for Fears.

Woo! English new wave band Tears For Fears – Roland Orzabal (b. 1961) and Curt Smith (b. 1961) – delivered an epic hit with “Shout”. “Shout” is the lengthy, six-and-a-half-minute opener from their 1985 quintuple-platinum album, Songs From The Big Chair.  It is worthy of every second of its duration! It spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  Notably, it was the band’s second and final number one hit following their ace-in-the-hole, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. In 2012, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.  Ian Stanley (b. 1957) and Roland Orzabal wrote “Shout” while Chris Hughes (b. 1954) produced it.

One of the first things that stands out about “Shout” sound-wise is the percussive groove, which is everything.  Besides those metals that pop, the drums are big and boxy – 80s through and through! Beyond the groove, the musical accompaniment is fabulous with warm keys and synths, rhythmic instrumental lines for the win, and a big, robust sound. As the record progresses, “Shout” becomes bigger, more varied.  There are beefy, rock-infused electric guitar, organ, and additional keys that elevate the record to higher heights.  As strong as the instrumental is, the vocals by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are powerful.  The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the cat’s meow.  It is infectious and irresistible, recurring throughout.  Both lend their vocals on the memorable and tuneful centerpiece, if you will. The verses are also electrifying as Orzabal leads the charge.  “In violent times / You shouldn’t have to sell your soul,” he sings in the first verse, and continues, “In black and white / They really, really ought to know.” Word.  Cleverly, in the second verse, Orzabal asserts, “They gave you life / And in return, you gave them hell / As cold as ice / I hope we live to tell the tale.” Beyond the choruses and the outro, there is also a compelling bridge, where Roland informs us, “I’d really love to break your heart.” Damn! “Shout” is nothing short of awesome.  It’s amazing that following a record as big as “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” that Tears For Fears were able to strike gold again.

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Tears For Fears on The Musical Hype 🔻:

Tears For Fears, Everybody Wants To Rule The World: Throwback Vibez No. 34 (2023) Tears For Fears vs. Robert Glasper: Head 2 Head No. 10 (2023) Tears For Fears vs. Gary Jules: Head 2 Head No. 13 (2023) Tears For Fears, Sowing The Seeds Of Love: Throwback Vibez No. 12 (2026) Tears For Fears, Shout: Throwback Vibez No. 20 (2026)

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Tears For Fears » Songs From The Big Chair » Mercury Records Limited » 1985

Tears For Fears, Shout: Throwback Vibez No. 20 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Mercury Records Limited; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson, schubinger from Pixabay]

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