The 80s band is in the news after many years. Their superhit song Everybody Wants to Rule the World, once a Number 1 hit, is making headlines for its use in the FIFA World Cup.

Budweiser and FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor, has debuted a global rallying-cry for fans: “The World is Yours to Take.” The campaign is anchored by a cinematic film featuring the athletes and a diverse group of fans making their way through the player’s tunnel with conviction toward the FIFA World Cup pitch. The spot cleverly uses the tunnel as a metaphor to connect fans to the emotion and anticipation the players feel before the match, inspiring them to take the next step in their journey towards pursuing their dreams. The soundtrack of the campaign is a reimagining of the iconic Tears for Fears’ anthem Everybody Wants to Rule the World, capturing the passion and enthusiasm fans will feel during this year’s tournament.

So back to this ground breaking album. After making major waves with their debut ‘The Hurting’ in 1983, Tears For Fears that comprise Curt Smith on vocals and bass and songwriter, vocals, guitar, keyboards Roland Orzabal on, grand piano, returned with a new sound two years later with ‘Songs From The Big Chair’, an album that had much more momentum for the band and made them household names.

The name of the album had a lot to do with a story they once mentioned in an interview and which later became public knowledge.Inspired by the book and mini-series Sybill, the title is vaguely about a woman with multiple personality disorder who finds comfort in the “Big Chair”. The title was much scrutinized by the English music press who took the band for a ride ridiculing them repeatedly. But the band stood its ground and forged ahead.

The album touches upon their surroundings, from dusty Cold War paranoia (Shout) to the corruption of power (Everybody Wants to Rule the World) to parental guidance (Mothers Talk) to the uncontrollable emotions that romance warrants (Head Over Heels).

The band’s phenomenal 10-million-selling second album marked a transition in the band's sound and catapulted them into international prominence. As a group, Tears for Fears led the "Second British Invasion" of pop music in the mid-'80s in both the U.S. and Europe with songs from the album dominating the radio airwaves. In the U.S., Everybody Wants to Rule the World led the album on with the release reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985, while the repetitious Shout was the band's second single and stayed at No. 1 for three weeks. The album inevitably went straight to No. 1, selling 5-million copies in the U.S. alone. 

‘Songs from the Big Chair’ peaked at No. 2 on the U.K. album charts and remained in the Top 10 for over six months. The album went on to yield the hit singles Everybody Wants to Rule the World (which spent 14 weeks in the U.K. Top 5 and peaked at No. 2) and Shout, which reached No. 4 and remained on the chart for 16 weeks. Both became global smash hits.

Besides these two top songs, others also made a mark like Head Over Heels, instantly recognisable piano intro and this one will have you singing along. In keeping with its titular themes, The Working Hour and Listen play to the modes of therapy.

Tears for Fears, a band that formed in Bath, England in 1981, still remain loved and remembered for the music they gave us. Their new wave synthesizer sound attained international chart success that they never imagined. These aren’t just great songs, but some of the most important tracks to ever surface in mainstream pop.

Rating: ****

Released on: 1985

Label: Mercury

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira