117. Tears for Fears

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117. Tears for Fears

In earlier entries (Jan & Dean and Hall & Oates) we spoke of how successful those duos were. If we were add to a third into the discussion of the most successful duo on this list it would have to be the English pair of Roland Orzabal and Kurt Smith, best known to audiences as Tears for Fears

In looking back, it is actually a little surprising how few albums from Tears for Fears actually had. Throughout the 1980’s, the British duo achieved success with a three albums that all had a different sound to it, showcasing their musical abilities and willingness to always to try something different. Those aforementioned albums ranged from the lyrically brilliant Synth Pop (The Hurting), the catchy Pop/Rock based (Songs from the Big Chair) and the Psychedelic Soul infused (Seeds of Love). After that decade, Tears for Fears did not remain on top (Smith left for awhile to purse a solo career, leaving Tears with only Orzabal), but on the strength of those three albums it is not inconceivable that Tears for Fears could one day get inducted.

 

FilmStrip Rock.Tears for Fears

 

www.tearsforfears.net

Should Tears for Fears be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 92.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 1.9%

The Bullet Points

  • Eligible Since: Sunday, 01 January 2006
  • Country of Origin: United Kingdom (Bath, England)
  • Why they will get in: They are musically respected and achieved the vital American success that may be needed for induction.
  • Why they won't get in: There is a perception among some that they were more influenced than influential.
  • Essential Albums: The Hurting (1983)
    Songs from the Big Chair (1985)
    The Seeds of Love (1989)
    Elemental (1993)
  • Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Pale Shelter (From The Hurting, 1983)
    Change (From The Hurting, 1983)
    Shout (From Songs from the Big Chair, 1985)
    Sowing the Seeds of Love (From Seeds of Love, 1989)
    Break it Down Again (From Elemental, 1993)

Should Tears for Fears be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 92.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 4%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 1.3%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 1.9%
Last modified on Tuesday, 31 May 2022 15:46
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More in this category: « 116. Toots & the Maytals 118. Television »

Comments   

0 #6 Jules 2020-12-17 10:36
@jimmy26

Lots of people covered or sampled TFF with great success... think of the Mad World cover by Gary Jules, Kanye West sampling Memories Fade, Lorde doing ...Rule the World, Billy Corgan being awestruck upon meeting Curt Smith.

I think that's more than enough on the scale of "influential ".
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+2 #5 Michael tabor 38 2017-07-31 00:35
Very good
But not quite HOF
There genre Synth Pop hasent even got 1 band in yet. The genre is wayyy over due! Depeche Mode kraftwerk the cure Duran Duran and so on before Tears for fears
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-4 #4 Smokestoomuch -0001-11-30 00:00
They blow.
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+7 #3 mrpauljoconnor82 -0001-11-30 00:00
Great band, why not.
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+5 #2 Musicologist999 -0001-11-30 00:00
Tears For Fears are an incredible group with many powerful, expertly-cra fted songs. And, of course, Songs From The Big Chair was a smash hit album. But they didn't stay on top for very long, and I don't know if anybody can say that they were "influe ntial". They certainly carved a little niche for themselves in 80's music, but that may not be enough to get them inducted.
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+5 #1 jimmy26 -0001-11-30 00:00
i loved Tears for Fears. They really were big when they came out. But realisticall y they weren't big enough or more importantly did not stay around long enough to get in. And though they do have a reasonable legacy who did they really influence?
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