After the dissolution of their first group, a mod outfit called Graduate, in 1981, childhood friends Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal (along with keyboardist Ian Stanley) set out to form England’s next big synth band. But while they were aiming for Duran Duran, they ended up with “Mad World," a darkly relatable song that offered an early sign that Tears for Fears were more contemplative than the boilerplate New Wave band. After all, they took their name from Arthur Janov's book on primal therapy and imbued their lyrics with many of his ideas, like the lines concerning dreams about dying on 'Mad World.'" Their 1983 debut album, The Hurting, earned them a lot of success in the UK, but it was their 1985 follow-up LP, Songs from the Big Chair, that introduced their sobering pop to the world. First, there was the brash “Shout,” which paired synths with a catchy chorus, metal guitars, and a rumination on political protest, and then the plaintive sing-along hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” which tapped into Cold War anxiety. Four years later, they returned with a soulful, Beatles-esque sound for 1989’s The Seeds of Love, featuring "Sowing the Seeds of Love," the band’s reaction against Thatcherism and most overtly political single to date. Smith left the band shortly thereafter, but Orzabal persevered, releasing Elemental in 1993, buoyed by the pop-rock anthem “Break It Down Again,” and 1995’s Raoul and the Kings of Spain. After Gary Jules’ cover of “Mad World” was featured in 2001’s Donnie Darko, Smith and Orzabal reunited for 2004’s aptly titled Everybody Loves a Happy Ending.
Shout
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Mad World
Head Over Heels
Sowing the Seeds of Love
Woman in Chains
Pale Shelter
Change
Hi. We are Jay Siegan Presents. We are the talent liaisons that curate, ideate, and connect you to the right artists to transform special events into experiences of a lifetime. Our roots are those of musicologists and culture hawks, deeply embedded in the living performing arts. This is the foundation of our work, the soul of our business, and what we've been doing for over 25 years. We have the capacity and capability to bring any artist from anywhere in the world to your event.
We are the talent liaisons that curate, ideate, and connect you to the right artists to transform special events into experiences of a lifetime. Our roots are those of musicologists and culture hawks, deeply embedded in the living performing arts. This is the foundation of our work, the soul of our business, and what we've been doing for over 25 years. We have the capacity and capability to bring any artist from anywhere in the world to your event.
The cost associated with booking Tears for Fears is influenced by several factors. These include the interest and availability of the talent, the date and location, the nature of the event, and the schedule of the talent involved. To receive an accurate quote to book Tears for Fears for your event, we will need to gather some specific information. Reach out to us to dig in more and we can discuss an offer with the agent for Tears for Fears.
Please note, we are not the agents or managers for the talent listed, except as indicated, nor are we affiliated with any particular agency roster. This ideal and impartial position in the industry allows us to make the best recommendations that align with our client’s objectives and budgets. Please remember that we don't accept fan emails, special requests, meet and greets requests. Serious booking inquiries only, please. Our secret to success is our solid industry relationships and our experience booking talent!
