Songs From The Big Chair

One of the best albums out there.

makes me wanna time travel to when I was 16 and watching Donnie darko on my ipod after sneaking out

Discazo

Some 5’s, some 2’s. What a shame

i knew a couple of sonhgs but overall i really liked it! fav Head Over Heels!

A few bops! Alright. Sample worthy, but wouldn't go through the entire thing again.

Oh so this is Tears for Fears. To me this is one of those bands that you've heard but didn't know you had. I recognised a bunch of these songs but it's the ones in between that I wasn't to fussed on. Still a solid listen if you dig your 80s pop synth/rock.

Very few albums can define the sound of an era better than Songs from the Big Chair. What this masterpiece presents is a sample of the best there is about 80's music: synths used in a non-annoying way, genius instrumental compositions, completely iconic tracks that almost anyone can recognize instantly with legendary chorus. While this is not a perfect album for me, and for that reason I don't give it a 10/10 rating, it's certainly one of my all-time favorites. Not only in its technical aspects it is insanely competent, but also regarding the whole worldview present - a critical shout (yeah) about the world. It's art being used as a genuine expression, which is one of my main criteria about rating. In my personal experience, I can't deny some songs grew on me on second or third try, especially "I Believe" and "Mother Talks". This is enough to show the complexity of this work, as you discover more and more layers as you revisit it. Overall, amazing album, one of the best of its time. -- Poucos álbuns conseguem definir o som de uma era melhor do que Songs from the Big Chair. O que esta obra-prima apresenta é uma amostra do melhor da música dos anos 80: sintetizadores usados de forma não irritante, composições instrumentais geniais, faixas completamente icônicas que quase qualquer um reconhece instantaneamente com refrãos lendários. Embora este não seja um álbum perfeito para mim, e por esse motivo não dou uma nota 10/10, é certamente um dos meus favoritos de todos os tempos. Não apenas em seus aspectos técnicos é incrivelmente competente, mas também em relação a toda a cosmovisão presente – um grito crítico sobre o mundo. É a arte sendo usada como uma expressão genuína, que é um dos meus principais critérios de avaliação. Na minha experiência pessoal, não posso negar que algumas músicas me cativaram melhor na segunda ou terceira tentativa, especialmente "I Believe" e "Mother Talks". Isso é o suficiente para mostrar a complexidade deste trabalho, mais e mais camadas são descobertas ao visitá-lo. No geral, um álbum incrível, um dos melhores de sua época. 9,7/10

Great record. They get unfairly dismissed as an “MTV Band” unfortunately. This one’s in regular rotation.

Two bangers make it legendary. Everybody Wants to Rule the World + Head Over Heels (Donnie Darko ❤️)

Some good songs on here I have never heard. Really enjoyed the listen. Listened twice!

great work

Coming in I already knew 3 of the tracks which solidified how good this album must be. Big fan of the synths (its the 80s theres an abundance) and saxophone is some tracks. There's a mellow tone to the voices which fits all of the songs in some matter. Listen is an enchanting track, very dream like. Favorites were: Working Hour, Mothers Talk, and Head over heels/Broken.

I don't say this often but some near perfect pop songs on here. I tend not to like some of these cheesy 80 songs but you can't deny "Shout" and "Head Over Heals" and I get this weird nostalgia for "Everybody Want To Rule The World". Rest of the album is meh. 8/10

Such an awesome album. I wasn't even old enough to get it when it came out, but I still feel nostalgia when I hear it. Definitely a seminal '80's album, and a soundtrack of the times.

Deluxe edition had a lot of extra tracks I didn't care for. Original version is still good.

Cool Album.

BANGERS from the Big Chair. Only discovered this whole album recently and it's fucking brilliant.

Un clásico. Una de las portadas más famosas de los ochenta, hits universales como Shout y Everybody wants to rule the world y otras canciones que las complementan para crear un álbum New Wave synthpopero que marcó a toda una generación.

Sounded familiar, then "Everybody..." started.

I've somehow never given much thought to Tears For Fears outside of their singles. This was a pretty solid album front to back (though the ballads left me flat). The Genesis albums from this era have a certain hold on my imagination and I imagine if i had come to this closer to real time, it would have been formative. But will I ever listen to it again? [looks around; whispers] Probably not…

Perfect until the last Song. Seriously though some of the best pop music ever made

Another dang classic! Another 4 or a 4.5 to me, I’ve spent enough time with the album to say that I’m not sure it’s perfect to me, but I do really love the hits, and there are some serious sleepers like I Believe

I need to spend a few more listens with this. The rock opera of “broken” > “head over heels / broken” was unexpected and way more prog than I anticipated. Of course “everybody wants…” is always a good listen.

‘Head over heels’ serves as a high water mark when I think of popular 80’s songs. 5 outta 5, a perfect tune.

Solid album! Never knew there was a whole intro song to Head Over Heels. Couple skips but a strong, tidy effort.

Enough great songs on this classic new wave album to overcome the filler

Always thought the song went “everybody wants to move along”. Moving along, Shout was very shouty. The lead has an incredible voice, but I’m not a ballad girlie.

I really can't stand the opening track (giant skip), but 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' rocks. I feel like I would have enjoyed this album had I been there.

I listened to the first song and thought it was lame and realized that was supposedly their big hit so I just threw in the towel right then and there.

Pretty good! Really well constructed, it flows between the hits thoughtfully and I didn’t feel like skipping much aside from the 6 minute saxophone solo in the second track.

very cathartic. emotional

Decent—stranger than I thought it would be.

No lo conozco, aunque al grupo sí. De momento, la portada es lo más horroroso del mundo. Parecen los Simon and Garfunkel julays. Si le meten un poco más de reverb a algo, lo pueden grabar en una catedral. No sé cómo son las canciones, supongo que tienen cosas musicalmente interesantes, pero el estilo es insoportable y nada suena de verdad. La voz tampoco ayuda.

One of my dad's 80's albums that i listened to the most growing up.

Thought it was really enjoyable. Unexpected for me as I normally don’t really like the 80s synth pop sound and this embraces that sound fully. Everything was mixed beautifully and with both clear individual pieces and complex layerings that I thought created an interesting soundscape. Happy I was exposed to something so different I enjoyed so much. Highlight for me was “The Working Hour”

Shout is… amazing. It’s a shame Rule the World is so awful they end up balancing each other out. Rest of the tracks are ok.

I was wondering if the album's very well known singles would dominate too much, but the album supports them and provides a perfect context. I particularly like how Broken acts as an introduction to Head Over Heels, and tbh it's such a good song that any excuse to listen to more of it is welcome

6/10 3 good songs, the rest are just ok and largely forgettable. Disappointing, really, as I was expecting some solid 80s nostalgia and then a realisation how much better Tears for Fears are than I gave them credit for. This happened with Simple Minds. But here, the musical landscape between the hits felt great. Couple of chords, lots of synth. Bloody devils horn grating on my ears.

A surprisingly good listen. Eighties synth pop. There is an ambitious variety of sound here and it only occasionally veers into John shuttleworth territory.

Classic. Cool synths. Throaty vocals, not always in tune. Some great songs though, with catchy melodies.

One of the most epic of the epic. Immediate five.

Sleek '80s synthpop hits with dark aura, pretty high highs but outside of Head Over Heels, the second half is kind of a lull Still a good bunch of staple songs, it's an enjoyable album to listen to, lull included

Great classic album by TFF with some iconic 80's hits. Only topped by their Sowing the Seeds of Love followup, which I thought was a stronger and more enjoyable experimental release.

I’ve always loved 70s and 80s music. Tears for Fears is a classic and reminds me of when I was younger and watched Ferris Beuhlers Day off for the first time. A nostalgic and fun album to listen to.

5.5/10 Yes to the hits. No to everything else Highlights: Shout Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Ok

Amazing album. Such a good experience listening to it. Had to listen to a few songs twice. Loved it.

Enjoyed and wore this album out when I bought it. I am going with a 5, rounding up from 4.5.

A great album from the 80s that has more than just 2 popular songs

Some really solid songs on here but I can only do so much Tears for Fears and Curt Smith’s voice. Overall it’s really good, but just not really my style for a lot of it.

Great voice, lyrics, sound. 4.5

surprisingly good? didn’t expect tbh

Unbelievably well done, absolute banger of a record. Timeless, catchy, its own thing

I’m actually really surprised how much I enjoyed this one. I know of Tears For Fears but have never listened to them before and I had them down as just being another generic 80’s band. This however was brilliant with one exception, I didn’t like the song I Believe at all. Gave it two goes and I just doesn’t click with me. Top Track - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Yesterd1y was the 40th anniversary of one of the most excellent tracks on this album, Head Over Heels. But tbh, every song fits this album and slaps.

Ik ben altijd sceptisch als het gaat over popalbums uit de jaren 80 waar synthesizers de hoofdrol in spelen. Maar dat dit een iconisch popalbum is, ga ik niet ontkennen. 3.9

one of my favs. I've loved this album since it came out. I was in HS at the time. Saw them a few yrs ago. Great show.

Good album, lots of sax, long songs

This just squeaked in at 4 stars. There were a couple of track that I thought were weak

Butthole slippery

Very listenable 80s album with several big hits.

Hard to deny the hits on this one. Some of the album cuts are touch and go, but worth its classic status

80s synth pop records are the things I can do without. I am willing to concede that Everybody Wants To Rule The World is a tune though, so I'm just about willing to award a second star.

Pretty good upbeat stuff. I likey. 5/5

Sounds like it was recorded in a cathedral, or should be heard in one. TFF made pop music sound so epic that I can remember many bands trying to copy that huge feeling. The hits are endlessly replayable, and the lesser known tracks ring with emotion. There was nothing like Tears for Fears.

Great songs

I think they took themselves a bit seriously back in the day, but this is a decent album. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is clearly the standout song.

Another bunch of 80s synth pop. Sure it's seminal, important to the movement synth pop, but it's still bloody synth pop.

This is the first real dud I've gotten from this list. It's very 80s and not in a good way. Really, the album is just saved by Head Over Heels. Without that track, I can't really think why anybody would consider this even a very good album, much less one of the greatest. I've always found Shout to be a really annoying pop song. The Working Hour is ok, but it really just reminds me of a worse version of the Cure. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is an ok pop song, but very cheesy. Even Head Over Heels, which I said was the saving grace of the album, is still pretty meh. Worst thing about this album is how LONG all the tracks are! Everything is at least five minutes!

not at all what i expected, but good jumpy vintage 80's music

Not bad but not a huge fan.

Outstanding album. The biggest hit from this album is actually the weakest song to me, it doesn't showcase the depth of their work, it was clearly designed for pop radio play. The deeper tracks are fantastic.

06/2025 Hotel, Gili Asahan, Indonesien Selbst die wenigen Hits ziehen sich ewig.

classic but i've been burned out on in this grocery stores

+1 for nostalgia bangers.

Standout Songs: Shout The Working Hour Everybody Wants To Rule The World Broken Head Over Heels

As '80s duos go, TfF is one of the best. The singles are lyrically among the most poignant written.

Very 80’s - some nice work done on the synths. Strong vocals and would be fun to dance to. 3.5 stars

My hair isn't fabulous enough to match the 80s-tastic vibes!

Dad- 7 Mom- 9 Mike- Lori- 6 Michael- 8 Miles- Cole- Avg-

Going to take a stab at rating each song: Shout 5/5 The Working Hour 4/5 for the saxophone...good god Everybody Wants To Rule The World 5/5 for obvious reasons Mothers Talk 4/5 I Believe 3/5 good but elevator music Broken 4/5 *the transition here 6/5* Head Over Heels / Broken 5/5 was a pleasure to listen to for the first time Listen 3/5 sort of a letdown of an end but also feels like a cooldown so not all bad Averages to a 4/5, I think I may go 5/5 because I like the sound and appreciate it only being 8 songs, feels like the right amount to accomplish what they were trying to accomplish. In other words, these honkeys were indeed cooking.

In the world of pop, there was not too much bigger than this at its release in ‘85. The notable hits are here and the album flows and plays through well. Brilliant placement for “Head over Heels” in the soundtrack of Donnie Darko-slow mo scene piling out of the school bus and into the HS. Forgot about “Mothers talk” which is also a strong deeper track. Not quite a 5 but the impact almost gets it there. 4.5/5

With four of the eight tracks being certified hits, this album was played everywhere all at once at all times during the latter half of the decade. And although I wasn’t a huge fan of the band then, I remember enjoying the album. And it still holds up.

Hold the rotary phone! I enjoyed this far more than expected, as this isn’t really my decade. Actually ran through most of this twice. Definitely fairly loaded with some hits and will revisit.

I’ll admit I held a grudge against these guys for a very petty reason. A girl I was dating (and actually became my wife) put Sowing the Seeds on a love making mix tape and made me absolutely despise these guys. But I’ve come around. Of course Shout is great and after hearing a breakdown of Everybody Wants to Rule the World (maybe by rick beato) I have a lot of respect for that song. Mothers Talk is annoying. Head over heels is obviously another good. Enough here to go 4.

Although I find most of the other tracks kinda meh, Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels are enough to elevate this album to "great" status. Cool hairdos, too. 4.25.5

Very 80s! I want to like Tears For Fears more than I do. But they’re a singles band - I don’t think the album tracks are all that - and even then they’re a bit… weird. I kind of love the super 80s production though and the last track had some synth sounds that reminded me of later dance music!

Really enjoyed this…. And never made a connection in style between TFF and Arcade Fire till today… but there it is AF took wholesale inspiration from these guys.

Soundtrack to about every film in the 80s

This was great. Lots of hits and the ones I didn't know were good. No low points.

One of the most iconic albums of the 80’s. Still sounds great.

Good shit.

Mixed. Some really strong tracks that don’t sound dated in there, but fades towards the end where some do sound dated.

I LOVEEEEEE THIS ALBUMMMMMM!!! songs from the big chair is arguably one of the best british new wave albums there is.

It's not the apex of the new wave era, but it's a key player and for that it has my admiration.

Brings me back to my youth. Such an epic 80s album. I listened to this more times than I can count. Shout was an anthem of my youth! Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Head Over Heels were stellar as well. Roland and Curt just put it all together and made some incredible music.

So many hits on this album considering it was the number one album in the US. Brings me back to the days of the breakfast club.

I knew quite a few of these songs, but I genuinely didn’t even know the name of this band! My mom must have listened to this album while I was growing up. As a result it’s quite nostalgic for me.

They were definitely doing something cool and made a lot of hits, but it’s just not for me.

BANGER

I love Tears for Fears

Perfect album.

Singles are great the other songs sound a little dated

Pretty decent album. A couple of big hits on one album, and good to hear the context for Broken fully. I don't think anything super stood out to me re: style or composition or music, but maybe I just don't know the specific history about this album.

Probably a top 20 shower singing album. On another, 2 of the best mullets in music history.

Tears 4 fears

Very solid

Overall solid album for me

Soft 4. Familiarity outside of the hits is low but the sound is unique and interesting

Cheesy synth pop.

I thought Shout was a Depeche Mode track… Well, I’m surprised. Haute couture

So back when I was growing up, the local news station my parents watched in the morning would play "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" during the traffic report so now whenever I hear that song I still get this weird trigger where I remember being a kid and it's way earlier than I want to be awake, waiting for my mom to make me Eggo waffles for breakfast or something... Anyways, that song is a timeless banger. Shout and Head Over Heels are also both good, but the rest just feels like an exercise in studio wankery.

it has the deep cuts that I’ve always known and loved, but listening to the whole thing through didn’t impress me as a whole

Some good singles but don’t agree it is an overall great album

I haven't listened to this in a really long time ... this was great!

Skulle vært ei stjerne mellom 3 og 4 ja. God miks av 80s poprock og lounge. Ikke feil, men ikke helt riktig heller.

Peak 80's synthpop

Absolute classic!!! One of my all time favourites

Great album. You hear a lot of Depeche mode and even tool beginning here.

The sound definitely shines through the good part of the spectrum of eighties sound. Sounds great. Ambitious song crafting.

Excellent Album

I've listened to this album a bunch of time over the months every time I come back to this project and I just need to leave a damn review. "Shout" is an absolute banger. Got me so pumped every time I listened to this and then the rest of the album just flows past and nothing grabs me in the same way. I love how big and full everything sounds.

This is another amazing album, automatic 5 star for me.

There's a progressive rock underpinning to this album. There are elements of early, solo Peter Gabriel, Discipline-era King Crimson even as they aren't in-your-face about it. The song "I Believe" really hints at the David Sylvian album "Secrets of the Beehive". The hits on this album are iconic. But they're also some of the most intricate pop songs of any era. There is much to discover with each listen. The deep tracks are fantastic as well. I had this cassette back when it first came out as a pre-teen. Bought it for the hits and kept listening because everything on it was unlike pretty much anything else I'd heard at the time. Beyond the nostalgia, though, this is amazing music. 5 stars.

Enjoyed it a lot - some great tunes and some lesser known gems too. Not an all timer but still great

"Shout" is a masterpiece. I love the instrumental part of the album, it's very well done. "The Working Hour" beginning – I'm levitating with the sax melodies. It's the best song out of the album for me. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" and "Head Over Heels / Broken" is overplayed, sorry. "Listen" sounds like a lucid dream. Fairy vibes, some magical world.

Es esch vorallem shout and everyone wants to rule the world guet. Söscht esch es emmer no sehr okay aber ned revolutionär oder so.

I don't think it's quite a 5 as the second half is a lot weaker than the first, but it's still a damn good album.

Fantastic pop record encapsulates the sound I know from its time period perfectly in one tight 8 track album with absolutely zero skips. Lot of hits on here as well to the point where like a good portion of the album is just iconic after iconic song which you do not see often so it’s pretty impressive. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one but I leave it feeling more than happy, and hell even impressed. Two final notes: The transition between the 7th to 8th songs was very nice as someone who appreciates a good transition, also Shout is an absolute masterpiece of a track, and one of my favorite songs ever.

80s top 40 dreck. The prog element is interesting, not good though. Spiffy sweaters.

It agonises me that I can't love this as much as I wish I could. EWTRTW is perfect, and the other songs are also very good. Just didn't connect with it as much as other stuff I've listened to.

I was going to rate this as a high tier 80s pop masterpiece but “Broken” to “Head over Heels” goes wild. That alone makes the record.

Годнота отзывается в душе и памяти

Sound album.

An album of hits with some nice deeper cuts

Really great album. Has a unified sound while each song still feels unique, Everybody Want to Rule the World is an all-timer and Listen really stood out this time. I Believe is a dud that slows the album down however imo

Just an okay album. I’d probably rate it two stars but the singles from this album bring it up a star.

Single are good. Rest is fine.

Great album!

“Dad, what did the 80’s sound like?” Here ya go. Listen to these 8 songs. It’s crazy to put out 8 songs and 4 of them are still be played and recognized 40 years later. I don’t think I would immediately think of Tears for Fears as an iconic band, yet they have lasted generations. That’s crazy to me. What a feat to put out an album where half of your songs have long term staying power

Very solid middle of the road 80s synth pop

One hit wonder lowkey but it is a banger

great stuff

Nice ambient synths and a strong general mood through the album

This album definitely has some of the best hits Tears For Fears has to offer including Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels. All three of those songs I, of course, enjoyed. Outside of those three, I thought that the album was great. There were 1 or 2 that were perhaps a little bit lackluster, but for the most part it was consistent and an enjoyable listen.

Stellar, powerful, sensual. Yes.

Outside the hits, not much here

I've listened to this album at least monthly since it came out in 1985. Still sounds fresh, relevant, and insightful after 40+ years, incredible. One of the strongest albums in modern music IMO. Relative (to decade) impact: Med Absolute impact: High Listenability: High Re-listenability: Very High

Some absolute corkers here. A high 4.

I can see why most of the tracks here were put on the best of album. The remaining tracks that weren't on the best of aren't great unfortunately, leading to an unbalanced album as a whole

One of my all time favorite records

Amazing. Feels like it really has a finger on the pulse of the time. Fun to hear a ton of these songs in context.

top songs: everybody wants to rule the world, head over heels, shout, broken some really good songs, others dragged a little

Big 80s pop with a huge sense of grandeur, feels like a massive suit with 15 buttons and 6 feet shoulder pads. 8 tracks, 6 of which are amazing. Each one feels like it’s in exactly the right place, a real journey. Ignoring the weak middle “mothers talk and I believe” are utterly forgettable . This is an album that will stick in your head for a long time. A true 4.5* if there ever was one. But we round up.

Def a top album for me, the huge songs are huge. Had this one on vinyl and had to hook it up and listen all the way through, I’d argue one of the best of the 80s. Embodies the synths and style of the 80s without the schlock and irony. Easy 5 star. Love the guitars, drums, good bass lines, and the singers voice is pretty remarkable. Going to Listen again soon for sure

Some absolute bangers, 80's. Biggest song is crazy famous

Loved it. All time favorite

It's Tears For Fears... No need to "shout" out an explanation of why this album is give stars (pun intended with prejudice)

Songs from the Big Chair, Tears for Fears’ 1985 synth-pop opus, straddles the line between grand ambition and brooding excess. While the band’s rock-tinged electronics aim for emotional gravitas, the album can feel a bit ponderous—especially in its deeper cuts. Still, it boasts undeniable highlights: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a gleaming pop gem that would’ve made a killer opener, setting a more accessible tone. “Broken” stands out with its pulsing synth bass, serving as a moody lead-in to the more expansive “Head Over Heels/Broken,” whose extended coda—chopped from the radio version—feels both epic and indulgent. The final two tracks, oddly presented as live versions, close the album on a slightly disjointed note, making this chair not quite as big or comfortable as it could’ve been.

Liked this better than I expected. The hits were good but surprisingly the rest of the album wasn’t bad either.

1. I love New Wave and 2. This album has some absolute classics in it, and even the ones I wasn't familiar with were quite good. I didn't know Broken or The Working Hour but they're very good. And also head over heels is (obviously) just the best.

Thought this was gonna be another album where I think “okay but not my genre.” The first 3 songs on this are insane. Loved it. If it was a bit longer with the same quality it would be 5

Some big singles on this which still sound great today (Shout, Head over Heels in particular). Album tracks are a bit hit and miss though. The reason I always thought of them as a singles band. Would give it 3.5 if i could.

Fav: Everybody Wants to Rule the World; Broken; Head Over Heels

There's a reason you only know the 3 great songs that are on this album. And they are truly great songs. But there are only 3 of them...

Enjoyed the songs on here that I hadn't heard. Much more experimental than I was expecting, overall though the production and lyrical content was a treat. 7.7/10 Fav tracks: EWTRTW, Mothers Talk, Broken

I never knew that this was the group that made the song Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Also didn’t know that the song is played in 6/4 time and not the typical 4/4 time.

absolute brilliance

3 bangers and a few boring songs, not too much dead weight, great 80s sound and a mellow voice. One whole star for Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

Not an ounce of fat on this album. Just fantastic through and through

Tämä oli hyvä kokonaisuus. Hyviä ralleja, voisi kuunnella uudelleenkin.

Like most I know the hits. The rest is synthy gated drums cliche 80s. So many bands from this era sound the same, I just don’t get the appeal

7/10 Obvs has some bangers on it, such an iconic 80's synth pop album but listening back to front was a bit monotone for me - good background music though. I do love Head Over Heels, always have always will. Going forward I will continue to listen to the songs I already knew. Songs added to playlist: - Shout - Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Head Over Heels

This album is better than I remember. No bad songs and a handful of catchy hits.

Some very solid songs, other much less solid songs. They lost me a bit at the end of the album.

EvErYbOdY wAnTs tO RuLe ThE wOrLd 🇬🇧

80s pop but better. 4/5.

Absolutely beautiful, this is one of my favourite albums of all time for a reason. The consistently smooth and slick production along with the gorgeous vocals and choruses that are so easy to just belt out all come together so well to create this absolute masterpiece.

I enjoyed this album. I already knew some songs from it, so it was cool to actually listen to the album.

Like all the hits on the album but rest was pretty meh.

Pre-listen: I've already got one of these songs in my liked songs list. Solid Album! 4/5. It's got a few bangers, and unique singing voices.

Some phenomenal songs and some ok ones. Very 80s sounding. I feel like if I listened to this a lot it would grow on me.

Enjoyed, especially because I grew up listening to a lot of these songs. Fun vibes.

Not really what I would usually go for , but there were a couple of songs on the album that were the right vibe for a summers day.

Some great singles, works well as a complete album too. Likely one I won't return to but it's a strong record

My ears say cheers to Tears For Fears

Well folks, I'm not going to sugarcoat this one. It's two legendary hits and a bunch of stuff I'd really rather not get involved with.

1985!!! yo era un niño cuando sonaba esto en la radio pero aún lo recuerdo. Está bien, las dos canciones que recuerdo son un bombazo: "Shout" y "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Solo por eso merece la pena, el sonido años 80 real también es un extra.

Not bad, kind of forgettable while still being enjoyable.

So many iconic songs in this one that I’ve heard my whole life. Those songs really raise this album up but I did enjoy the new ones too! Was happy to listen to this.

3/5

Better than Coldplay.

Pretty good

Super fucking garbage

I actually listened to this one once because bo and Noah were talking about it. This was really good. It’s crazy how you get an idea in your mind because you heard their one hit from the 80s (over and over and over….thank you Mr. Morris and his weight lifting tape), and think they are not greet. But turns out they have a lot of songs you’ve never heard that are really good!

Ein, zwei Hits. Der Rest typisch 80er.

To be a sax player in the 80's, you must have been in demand!

Solid songs and album

Great! But doesn’t feel like a real album, lotsa filler.

Mucho amor

Hui. Das isch tüüf i minere Teenagerziit gsi😂. Isch immerna nice zum Lose und soo typisch für dazumal.

shout isch soooooo en banger. d drums de synthibaaaaasss aaahh. geile scheeiss. richtig cheesy 80er. scho seeehr cheesy haha aber riiiese opener. the working hour eeeewigs intro pure cheesr aber suuuper irgendwie. findi etz chliiii viel. everybody wants to rule the world isch ein vode beste songs vode 80er. de groooove. d bridge goht sooo dumm. sie wirked wie es doofs achtzger duo aber sie hend gwüüsst. mothers talk hani seeeehr streng gfunde zum lose. i believe seeeehr seicht, super kreativi melodie und s sacophon isch nice und s klavier eig au. aber s schriiter mer chli z langsam voraa. head over heels isch sehr cute. ich glaub ich cha dem album nöd tüüfer als es vieri geh wege paar rieeese banger aber finds etz nöd so u glaublich geil. aha am schluss macht head over heels no gaaanz anderi sache. wow. cool. hö ihm isch live???? listen isch etz au nöd soooo geil sehr kreativ hübsch gmacht aber sehr seicht. trotzdem e vieri well wenns groovt gohts loooos.

TRÄNEN FÜR ÄNGSTE freumi so medium aber mal gugge! iwie het shout chli wenig bass? finds suscht sber na cool und kenns sogar aaaaber chli z lang für min gschmack the working hour isch huuuere schön, au wenn auuu chli z lang aber es flowed schön innenand inne everybody wants to rule the world isch natürlich en riese banger, wo au nöd z fest usglutscht isch? d hihats findi recht geil DUGUDÄGADUGUDÄGA de schluss vo mother's talk gajt DUMM jaa dass es lied wie I believe na sin platz findt, macht iwie sinn bin nöd megaaa überzügt, iwie schona schön aber chli sehr langsam UH de übergang zu broken isch aber sexy listen findi seeehr cool als closener hmmm also s hetmi idem sinn positiv überrascht aber weiss nöd öbi es 4i geh chan. glaub eidach es gueets 3

Not really my jam. I get why people like this album. I like the piano and percussion. Too slow for me

Super god, masser af hit sange

For the record I’m biased already. Actually really enjoying shout. I don’t know when I’d listen to it regularly but it’s got this kind of grimy build up. The vocals don’t overpower the instruments, in fact they have a couple solos for different instruments. Very good layering. Mother’s talk was also kinda fun but this “I believe” isn’t striking any chords with me. “Broken” was almost perfect but it ended so weakly. Cool moments but can’t say much stood out to me.

Honestly a vibe, knew a couple songs already and had on one my like songs. Usually more into fake!80s than real!80s, but this is chill. Very listenable.

A solid slice of eighties song writing. It’s ok

REJOICE shout- 6 the working hour- 6 everybody wants to rule the world- 9. white people dont make music like this anymore mothers talk- 6 i believe- 6 broken- 7 head over heels- 9 listen- 5

Didn’t know I knew it!

Good album but not my thing. 3/5

90% Best: Shout; The Working Hour; Everybody Wants To Rule The World; Head Over Heels Must-Hear? Yes

That's a boring way to play music.

Rather boring and pretentious. Couple massive hits, but aside, nothing great. Good album for the boys. Bad album for me. 3/5

Love ❤️

It has the "x" factor, these are hits. 4.

I really dislike the synthetic sound of most 80s music, but a quality song is a quality song. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Loved it, really great from start to finish.

Talented pop artists stuck in the 80s, but I can't hold that against them. Some big tunes, even the smaller ones seem to be crafted. Not much to say here because it's not like an arrow to my heart, but it's good.

Yeah 80s songs, I grew up in the 80s-90s, and discovered this musing a bit later, transports me to that age, a bit nostalgic. I will give a 4 even if is around a 3.7. But has several nice songs.

There’s a kind of spiritual wrestling happening beneath the polished surface of Songs from the Big Chair. It’s an album that holds both the ache and the beauty of being human—full of longing, anger, vulnerability, and a quiet search for wholeness. The big songs—Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels—are still stunning, decades later. Not just because of their hooks, but because of how honestly they tap into something deeper. Shout isn’t just a protest anthem; it’s a call to let go of the silence we’ve been taught to keep. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is both an observation and a confession. And Head Over Heels captures the kind of love that feels tender, unsure, and real. But it’s the album’s quieter moments—I Believe, The Working Hour, Listen—that open up the most. These are songs that ask more than they answer. There’s space in them. Room to breathe. Room to feel. You get the sense that Orzabal and Smith weren’t trying to explain life so much as sit honestly in the middle of it. That alone makes this album different. It doesn’t flinch. What keeps it from being a perfect record is maybe the very thing that makes it work. There’s a kind of distance, a tightness in the production, that can feel a little too carefully constructed. But maybe that’s part of the point too—how often do we try to control our chaos rather than risk letting it all spill out? Songs from the Big Chair isn’t about having answers. It’s about the tension between control and release, success and inner peace, the public voice and the private soul. And in that way, it still speaks—maybe even more clearly now than when it was first released.

A solid listen and moodier than I expected based on the single.

A lot of HUGE hits, and the ones that weren't were still good. I usually think Duran Duran is the most stereotypical 80s sounding band but these guys give them a run for their money

Solid not something id own

Sometimes seems a five, sometimes a two. I feel cheated

Yeah, great album!

The 80s is so strong with this one in the best of ways.

Everybody wants to rule the world and head over heels are all time songs in my opinion, shout also gets close to that tier. The rest of the album is alright but maybe forgettable. I think Tears For Fears is more of a hits band than an album band for me, but enjoyed it

This album is wonderful. Tear for fears has been very overlooked and so this is really good.

This is pretty special. Looking forward to dipping into the 80s stuff I’ve missed growing up. Good start with this one!

Great album. Well done lads. Stand out song - Everybody wants to rule the world

Great Album 4.5 stars

Brilliant

At parts sounds interesting and idk why reminded me Alan Pearson's project tho

👍

The 80s yay

Listened in June 2020. Two absolute classic pop songs, don't listen to the rest often.

Love it

Me gustó mucho. Las composiciones son perfectas. Tienen una duracion larga las canciones, pero están hechas de una manera en que todas se sienten como un viaje.

A pop rock, new wave, synthy kinda joint. There’s a lot of undeniably catchy hooks. I’m not sure if I like them, but they’re memorable. The music is well written and densely layered but not overdone. It’s cool at times (and the extended instrumental breaks are solid), but can also get a bit cheesy or a little to smooth. The Slower, simpler songs are quite dull (I believe was rough for me), while more energetic and fuller songs are stronger. I’m not fully bought in, but they’re song writing, melodies, and instrumentals are all pretty quality.

Catchy tunes.

It's the 80s, so GIVE ME REVERB, GIVE ME DELAY. Seriously, the production rocks, but some sounds are very much a dead giveaway to the year this was made. There's some cracking tunes on here, Mothers Talk being one besides the obvious 3 I really enjoyed. I probably wouldn't come back to play this album as a whole to friends though, as it would just seem like I was trying too hard. 8.5/10

A contender for possibly the most 80's sounding album ever. Phil Collins really did a number on production back then, huh. Shout and EWTRTW are such massive songs it almost overshadows the rest of this album. Though the songs that aren't enormous hits aren't too crash hot. They're good, but very forgettable. Enjoyable listen, but can't say I'd see myself coming back to anything except Shout, EWTRTW, and MAYBE Head Over Heels.

I tend to be a bit biased when it comes to New Wave and the 80's synth sound but I really don't know who could dislike this. between multiple legitimate classics to a few more 'deep cut' tracks which were honestly just as solid as their bigger hits you can't really say this album is loaded in any direction. Just consistently great and varied tracks. Possibly the only thing I could even argue as a downside is while Listen is a nice and dreamy track to end on. It does go a bit long and I would have loved having Head over Heels as the end track, though I don't know where that would leave Listen

Two hits I moderately enjoy and have heard too often squashed between deep cuts which are adverse to my personal taste.

Massive sound, endlessly satisfying. 9/10

Endlessly listenable. Top notch production with three monumentally massive hits on here. The deep cuts and slower parts of the album aren't necessarily songs that you are going to reach for first when you think of Tears For Fears but as far as album filler goes, this is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to pop music. I listened to this probably five or six times in a row before I bothered to open up my notes app and write something down for this. For better or worse this is peak 80s, and I just so happen to love this to death. Highlights: Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, I Believe, Broken, Head Over Heels

New Wave has become my new "no thanks" genre. I just haven't really heard any New Wave albums that I actually really enjoyed. This is the first one that has changed my mind. I think part of my feelings towards New Wave is that there's a cliche/trope/expectation for vocalists that I just really don't like. I can't really explain what it is, but I know that I don't like it. This album does still kind of have that singing style that I don't really like, but everything else about this album is soooo good, that it really only keeps me from debating about if this album is a 5/5. This album is honestly pretty incredible. It's a ton of fun, and the big hit of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" does elevate the entire album. The transition between "I Believe" and "Broken" also does something to me deep down. Favorite Song(s): Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Three tear the house down bangers on this album in Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels. Broken leading in is crazy good as well. The album only falters in the center with Mothers Talk and then the even worse I Believe. Those keep it from 5/5 status but a great album overall none the less.

Few good ones but overall meh

Absolutely loved the more instrumental focused songs. I had a hard time enjoying the pop songs. The 80s sound feels too dated.

Kind of cool, very 80s. Everybody wants to rule the world is a banger. Kind of like a less electronic, more dramatic Pet Shop Boys

Masterful pop production. It wears its era on its sleeve, which is perhaps the only complaint, but also a big part of the charm. There are plenty of legitimately interesting ideas across the eight songs, while they all manage to sound like the commercially successful pop music which they were.

Just realized the version I listened to is not in order but surprisingly I found myself listening to most of the album a few times. I enjoy the African rhythms and the quality of the engineering is great. A surprise.

I don’t like 80s

Nicht ganz gehört

Really good and consistent effort from new wave pioneers Tears for Fears. The big songs on this album are definitely the best which leaves something to be desired for the other songs on here but it's still worth listening to this album just for the big songs

Excellent album, I've heard it many times and enjoy it each time. Their other work is fantastic as well. Very chilled out but not too chill vibe to it. The vocals on this album are top notch and draw me in every time. Excellent beats too, synth pop type stuff that I really enjoy.

Au secours !

The big hits ( shout and EWTRTW ) are iconic 80's pop songs...and rather good ! The rest of the album is weaker. Worth 2.5, going for 3 for the memories and rhe impact on contemporaries.

What an album !! 2 major tracks on it

It’s oy

It seems to me that they’re one of the few bands from the ‘80s synth-pop wave to have had a lasting influence. Some of their tracks are brilliant, but the second half of the album is rather forgettable. Overall, they bring a semblance of soul to a decade I find pretty dull musically, but this album is a bit too inconsistent for me.

I had the hair, the sweaters, the music video habit to feed, and this was a big thing in the time of The Police, Michael, Born in the USA, and all the great music of the mid decade in the 80s. I recalled slow dancing to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, but it seems to have a different connotation 40 years on.

I used to have shout playing repeatedly in my head when I was in grade 2. Brings me right back there. I approached this ready to hate it but actually a bit better than I expected and such a quintessential 80s sound.

Strong start with Shout. Incredibly 80s in the best way. Beautiful wall of sound. Synth-pop, new wave.

Solid, very ‘80s sounding

The entire first half of this album is stone cold bangers and then it just plateaus. I wish they’d kept jabbing on different directions but it’s like they ran out of songs. Still, impeccably produced and a real pop sensibility to the darker synths makes this the peak of New Romantic music.

standouts are obvious but the supporting cast is perfectly satisfactory

I was really happy with this one because I loved tears for fears in high school. this is probably my favorite 80s band out of all that I have listened to so far. this is the only album I have listened to all the way through by the band. I liked every single song, but my top three were "mothers talk," "i believe," and "broken." I will admit, it is kind of difficult to relisten to an album you associated with a bad time in your life and still think it is amazing, because those emotions linger. but this album is really top-notch. I might not relisten to it fully because of the bad memories, but I will definitely check out their other albums since I do not have anything attached to those yet. I love all of the experimental noises and the surreal feel—such beautiful songs and a great album for sure. 💜🎶

Didn’t realize how many I already knew

One of the more successful mergings of 80s pop and 80s underground rock. Thought a bit about whether to go up or down. I do not like 80s pop at all so don't want to listen to this again & that'll be the decider there. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

It’s good, I especially like the hits, but I feel unlikely to ever go back to it. A true 2.5, rounded down arbitrarily.

Für mich persönlich das Hammeralbum der 80er. Dieses Album hat mich damals wie heute geflasht. So ein unglaubliches Album mit so tollen Songs im elektronischen zeitlosen Sound und rockigen Elementen. Einfach mega. Zum Schreien schön.

Very clearly 80s, but still manages to sound relevant. I knew most of the tracks without having heard the album as a whole.

listened to some before but i still enjoy. def a weird kind of vibe to the music and what they are trying to do here but still enjoyable.

4/5

Meh, pop, peak pop. Couple of fun 80's classics, but the title track is I Believe Buzz's Girlfriend, whoof.

could barely get through it. Lifeless

Anyone who doesn’t gives this 5 stars is incorrect

I am incorrect

That was a fun one. So many songs ive heard before

Melancholia plastered over with teeth.

When I was a kid, I thought he was saying, "Everybody wants to move away" and I thought that was sad.

Always had a soft spot for Tears for Fears. It brightened up my day listening and I couldn't resist singing along to Everybody wants to rule the world, Shout and Head over Heels.

Not paid much attention to this album until now. Familiar with the big hits, EWTRTW & Shout, but didn't expect to like the lesser known hits. For me the album really gets going on side 2 with the Robert Wyatt inspired, I believe, then the electro/prog (?) fusion of Broken/Head over heals. Must say I enjoyed this much more than I thought and can't think of a reason this can't be 5 stars.

one of the best albums ever. They were completely on it making this. somehow retains its 80s sound while still sounding fresh. fun and lovable.

Outside of a couple decent songs (Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World) that we all know & tolerate this album is pretty dull, had a hard time getting through it but I did. I don't need to hear this band ever again.

Amazing. Period.

Kwintesencja lat 80. Album prawie kompletny. Kompozycje, które zapadają w pamięć. Ballady są najsłabsza częścią tej płyty i jedynym powodem dla którego ostateczną oceną jest tylko 8/10.

Gets off to a bit of a shaky start but the second half of the album is flawless, really enjoyed the run of songs from Broken - Listen. Favourite tracks: Broken, Head Over Heels & Listen. Probably will revisit. 4/5

Quite an accomplished Pop album. I can't hate on it. 4 certified hits that I would never opt to put on but can't deny their success.

Big hits very strong, other singles good, album tracks boring

Enjoyed this album

Enjoyed

On vinyl - this is a belter of an album and years ahead of its time. Production is perfect

Kind of a banger here.

Wall of 80s sound done right

Incredible album. I don’t know if we’ve ever had such sensitive, thoughtful, deliberate, artistic, professional hitmakers since Tears for Fears. Their commitment to the execution and final result of their product is awe-inspiring. The hits on this thing! “Shout,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” and “Head Over Heels,” are some of the best songs ever written, and the non-single tracks are just as deep and enjoyable. Must-listen #100!