Tears For Fears vs. Disturbed | Face Off

In the 10^th edition of Face Off (2026), Tears For Fears and Disturbed face off for the best rendition of “Shout.” 

Ah, let the Face Off begin! The sun has set on Head 2 Head (2021 – 2025), but the musical competition has “only just begun”, Karen Carpenter! In Face Off, musicians compete to determine who delivered the best version of a song. In most cases, the musicians are performing the same song or a remix, rearrangement, or variation of the song.  Each performance will be evaluated for vocal or instrumental performance, production, and so on and so forth. After blurbing about each performance, I will briefly deliberate and deliver a verdict about who wins the Face Off.  Draws and ties are acceptable, but in most cases, one band, group, or musician will get the edge. In the 10^th edition of Face Off (2026), Tears For Fears and Disturbed face off for the best rendition of “Shout”. May the best musician win!

1. Tears For Fears, “Shout”

Songs From The Big Chair » Mercury Records Limited » 1985

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 excellent, with warm keys and synths, rhythmic instrumental lines, 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.  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.  Amazingly, following a record as big as “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, Tears For Fears were able to strike gold again.

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2. Disturbed, “Tears For Fears”

The Sickness » Reprise Records » 2000

English new wave and progressive pop band Tears For Fears recorded a timeless musical masterpiece in “Shout”, which earned the duo their second number one hit on the pop charts. In 2000, Grammy-nominated heavy metal band Disturbed recorded their own version of the TFF gem, titled “Shout 2000”. “Shout 2000” is the 10^th track from the band’s 2000 multiplatinum debut album, The Sickness. Disturbed had a tough act to follow – the original is the sugar, honey, iced tea – but they manage to crank out an engaging, metalized cover.

“Shout” begins with the signature percussive riff from the original. Following the familiar introduction, in Disturbed’s hands, “Shout” ratchets up the rock 🤘.  The jagged, rhythmic guitar riffs cook. The lead vocals by David Draiman are much more aggressive than Roland Orzabal’s original vocals. The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the standout section. The verses are slightly gentler than the chorus, but still more ‘in your face’ compared to the original version. After the first verse, the repetition of the word “Jump” is SO  heavy metal/hard rock (“You shouldn’t have to jump for joy / (Jump, jump, jump, jump).” There are similar ad-libs where Disturbed makes this classic their own, such as, “As cold as ice (Now, bitch, you’re ice, ice, baby).” There are plenty of awesome instrumental moments, all of which are more guitar-centric.  The bridge section is playful, with Draiman asking, “Will you never shout? / I feel as though I know you’re never gonna let it all out.” Word.  “Shout 2000”, in the hands of Disturbed, rocks hard.  It has big shoes to fill, but David Draiman and company bring the heat as they shout that she-it out!

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Deliberation

Ah, we’ve arrived at the deliberation! To Deliberate is “to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully.” With that definition courtesy of my go-to, Merriam-Webster, briefly break down these two distinct performances with some notes!

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Verdict 

After much deliberation, yo boi, The Musical Hype, has reached a verdict. In the case… I mean, in the Face Off between Tears For Fears and Disturbed, Tears For Fears comes out on top! What was the difference? “Shout” by TFF was simply too big to deny.  It was a big-time number-one hit by a band that was big-time in the 1980s.  While the heavier take by Disturbed is fun, it doesn’t eclipse the original, which is ultra-creative and superbly produced. And with that said, stay tuned for the next Face Off!

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