Songs From The Big Chair

Sometimes the English language fails me, like when I try to explain just how deeply I hate Tears for Fears. The only reason I think this album actually deserves a 1 star rating is because of “Head Over Heels” which is a pretty good song.

Thought this aged well.

Kuulosti heti tutulta, ja selvishän se parin biisin jälkeen että miksi. Mut tämmöstä kasaripopbia. Siinähän se menee.

Olipas se oikein makoisa levy. Levyn ekat kolme biisiä bängäs täysiä (pari hittiä ja yks yllättäjä). Kunnon kasaria läpeensä, toimi ainakin kuunnellessa oikein hyvin. Tarvii laittaa listalle talteen, että levy kokonaisuutena iskee, ei vaan hittibiiseiltään.

6/10 - I was expecting more but it is a good album, no denying the majesty of "Everybody wants to rule the world"

I actually only liked the song Shout on the whole album

Sick Awesome

Not many albums have multiple The Best Song Ever Made-s on them.

Rule the world is iconic, otherwise 80s blah

Actually good

broken into head over heels is amazing

I really liked this. Would listen again!

This one didn’t appeal to me a whole lot, on account of the long yet repetitive songs. I felt like it had a lot of “3-minute song ideas” stretched out to 5-7 minutes. The very 80’s synth instrumentation gave the album a very dated sound that I often found kinda grating. Favorite songs were “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” & “Head over Heels”, and I think the vocal melodies helped elevate those songs in my mind. I think it’s decent overall, but I wouldn’t really come back to listen to most of it.

That was disappointing. Roland used to live in my village so I had big hopes. Apart from the two big singles I thought it was disappointing guff.

The Seeds of Love is my favourite album of theirs but this is a pretty strong second. '80s, but good tunes that stand up well and EWTRTW is still an absolute classic.

“Everybody Wants To Rule the World” is an all-timer when you’re in the mood for that specific sound, but the rest just blended together for me.

Kings belong in a big chair

There are some good tunes on here and they've got great voices, but the album drags on a little too long.

Not just an album that is carried only by the big hits. It's genuinely majestic, beautiful, and lyrically complex. Loved it.

Perhaps some of the most evergreen music to come out of the 80's. It serves as a time capsule of the time by treating us to the anxiety and strangeness of the cold war era. But the great instrumentation carried it forward to be easily discoverable by those that are not of its time. Shout is an excellent opener and everybody wants to rule the world is so layered you can keep digging in it for interesting stuff to hear. Notable is the guitar and bass playing on this. You can hear they could have put more notes in there, show off more of that skill, but that would have detracted from the song. Instead, we get solo's crafted with laser precision.

Ок, Shout слышал. Вряд ли в их исполнении. Теперь знаю, что это они, но вряд ли запомню этот факт

has a few highpoints, everybody wants to rule the world is a classic. however, synth just does not impress me at all

7/10

It's a mixed bag for me. The hits are the best and then there are some stinkers. It was cool to hear other songs from the album and era, but I can see why the hits overshadowed the rest of the songs on the album.

9/10

All around banger

Back in the day I was dismissive of most things with sequencers and synthesizers. Even though I could hear the 'organic' instruments I still considered TfF too poppy and new wave. I'm familiar with the hits and will admit to enjoying them now. It sounds to me like those are the best songs on this album. The deeper cuts don't stick with me and a couple are just way too dirge-y for me, especially "I Believe". The way "Listen" closes the album cost this one a star.

Not on Apple Music. Rating based on other album.

Everybody Wants To Rule The World is the greatest song of all time and the other songs on this album aren’t far behind.

J’avais quinze ans tout juste, et j'ai fait exactement ce que des millions d’autres moutons ont fait à l’époque, j’ai posé mon billet sur le comptoir du disquaire pour repartir avec ce vinyle sous le bras. Pourquoi ? Pas par conviction mystique ou prescience artistique, non. Juste parce que la radio et les clips nous matraquaient les tympans jusqu’à plus soif avec deux machines de guerre calibrées pour envahir les charts de la planète entière. On était jeunes, influençables, pris dans l'étau d'un marketing pop d'une efficacité clinique. Le problème, c’est que le temps ne fait pas de cadeaux et quarante piges plus tard, quand je ressors la galette de sa pochette sépia — avec les deux compères Roland Orzabal et Curt Smith qui tirent une gueule d'enterrement digne d’un cours de solfège un lundi matin —, le verdict tombe, froid et net. Un 3 sur 5, point barre. Ce n’est pas infâme, ce n’est pas honteux, mais la question qui tue reste toujours la même : une fois qu'on a essoré les deux mastodontes qui squattent les mémoires collectives, que nous reste-t-il vraiment à bouffer là-dedans ? Soyons justes deux minutes, histoire de ne pas passer pour un vieux con aigri qui crache gratuitement dans la soupe de sa jeunesse. Ces deux fameux tubes, ils ont de la gueule. « Shout » débarque en ouverture comme un rouleau compresseur de synth-pop industrielle, avec ses percussions martelées, sa basse synthétique lourde et ce refrain scandé qui te rentre dans le crâne pour n’en plus jamais ressortir. C’était de la thérapie primale pour adolescents en manque d’affirmation, un cri de ralliement qui a fait les beaux jours des autoradios et des chambres tapissées de posters. Même constat pour « Everybody Wants To Rule The World » : un groove faussement nonchalant, une ligne de guitare claire et entraînante, un vernis mélodique imparable qui masque des angoisses géopolitiques bien réelles de guerre froide. Sur ces deux pièces-là, la production de Chris Hughes tourne à plein régime, polie au millimètre près pour écraser toute concurrence sur la bande FM. Mais un album digne de ce nom, ce n’est pas un maxi 45 tours gonflé aux hormones avec du vide autour. Et c’est précisément là le problème dès qu'on plonge dans les entrailles de cette « grande chaise ». Je n’ai jamais été un dévot absolu de Tears For Fears, et cette réécoute quatre décennies plus tard me conforte dans mon scepticisme d’origine. Le reste de l’album donne souvent l’impression d’un groupe qui hésite entre le statut de fabricants de tubes pour la jeunesse et celui d’intellos tourmentés biberonnés aux théories d’Arthur Janov, voulant singer la grandiloquence du rock progressif sans en assumer pleinement les délires. On se retrouve alors nez à nez avec des morceaux qui s’étirent, qui empilent les couches de synthétiseurs Fairlight avec une lourdeur typique du milieu des années 80. Prenez une piste comme « The Working Hour » : ça commence avec un saxophone interminable qui fleure bon le cliché jazzy-chic de studio capitonné, avant de s’enliser dans des complaintes vocales qui manquent cruellement de nerf. Ça se veut profond, complexe, texturé ; à l'arrivée, ça sonne surtout pompeux et terriblement daté. La production, qui paraissait novatrice et d'une propreté clinique à l'époque, a pris un méchant coup de vieux. Cette réverbération numérique caverneuse sur chaque coup de caisse claire, ces nappes de claviers froides comme une nuit de novembre… tout cela sonne aujourd'hui terriblement figé dans son époque, incapable de respirer avec la fluidité organique des grands disques intemporels. Même « Head Over Heels », souvent cité comme le troisième larron honorable de la galette, ne parvient pas à sauver l’affaire de l’essoufflement général. Le titre possède une ritournelle au piano agréable et une construction pop décente, certes, mais il finit par s’étouffer dans une grandiloquence stadium-rock un brin indigeste avant de basculer dans une reprise inutile de « Broken ». Quant aux expérimentations plus sombres ou ambiantes qui peuplent la seconde face, comme « Listen », elles s’apparentent davantage à des exercices de style atmosphériques un peu vains qu’à de véritables éclairs de génie compositionnel. On navigue à vue entre la ballade boursouflée et l'ambition mal dégrossie. Alors oui, la pilule passe parce que la nostalgie fait son office et que ces deux gros singles ont marqué l’histoire au fer rouge, gravés à jamais dans la bande-son d’une génération. Mais jugé comme une œuvre globale et cohérente, Songs From The Big Chair montre trop vite ses limites. C’est un disque boursouflé par ses propres ambitions, un produit d’époque qui a vieilli sans cette patine noble qui transforme certains vinyles en chefs-d'œuvre inoxydables. Les deux ogres radiophoniques ne suffisent pas à combler les creux d’une traversée qui manque singulièrement de tripes et de spontanéité. La note de 3 sur 5 n'est pas une punition, c'est juste un rappel à l'ordre réaliste : derrière la vitrine clinquante du magasin de 1985, les tiroirs sonnaient un peu creux.

Would be 3 but they are not listen worthy

Classic album

Despite having some recognisable songs, including one of the most well-known ones of all time, I still found this a bit mid. A bit monotonous?

Great album was a take back to the 80s

A band I know very well. Some of my earliest musical memories too. I'm not sure if I'd say the entire albums hits the highs of their most notable hits, but it is a great album overall.

Some really good songs, but i was saddened that the rest of the album did not meet the standard of those bangers. So my rating is based on the album at a whole

80s seemed fun

A leading example of the 80's sound.

One of the greatest pop albums of all time, blending great melodies, soul, and just a hint of jazzy pretension (a leaning that would somewhat undermine subsequent records).

Despite its eighties sheen, an album full of stellar singles and really fine album cuts.

Very 80's but not as gross as most. Some real good singles on here and the others on the album were fine.

A decade defining album. I wore my cassette out. So many good songs.

While most fans would probably describe Tears for Fears' third album "The Seeds of Love" as their masterpiece, I have a slightly different view. They may have taken production up a notch with "The Seeds of Love", but I believe their songwriting had already reached the very highest standard with "Songs from the Big Chair". As is often the case, my personal history certainly plays a part in my assessment. The songs, sound and lyrics of this album struck a chord deep in the heart of my 17-year-old self. It was music from my time, made by two guys only a few years older than me. The sound of "Songs from the Big Chair", produced by Chris Hughes in a perfectly tasteful 1980s style (so well, in fact, that it still sounds fantastic today), was exactly what I loved back then. Something between Pop and Rock and New Wave. The five singles – “Mothers Talk”, “Shout”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, “Head over Heels” and “I Believe” – were released, in some cases, long before the album. I played “Mothers Talk” and “Shout” on repeat before the album was released. The tracks that weren’t released as singles were by no means inferior; rather, they showcased the band's ever-changing facets – real deep cuts. The clever use of the two vocal parts, both Curt Smith’s tenor and Roland Orzabal’s velvety baritone, is particularly noteworthy, as is the fantastic drumming by Chris Hughes and Manny Elias. I can’t help but reminisce when I listen to the album. But even without the nostalgia, "Songs from the Big Chair" is a piece of music history from a remarkable band.

Album che ha segnato gli anni 80, tutte canzoni molto belle

"Shout, shout, let it all out / These are the things I can do without / Come on..." Tente achar outro álbum que comece de forma tão arrebatadora assim e falhe miseravelmente! Este álbum me dá uma vibe de Highlander (o primeiro, por favor!) e de tudo aquilo que realmente foi fantástico nos anos 80. Ele chega e fala: "Calma, galera. Não sou apenas o pessoal do sintetizador (embora eu também goste disso), nem aquele pop que a cafona da sua vizinha escuta. Mas olha só o que eu consigo criar." É um álbum incrivelmente maduro e que flerta intensamente com o perfeccionismo. E eu não aguento mais comerciais usando "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Eu odeio vocês, publicitários!!!!

A great discovery, knew the singles but surprised by the overall quality

Основа, база так сказать

Ikke verste 80s-popen.

This probably would have been a five star album if not for I Believe, which just drags on. If this experiment has taught me anything, it's that I really enjoy 80's pop music.

i wanted to love this album more. Some huge highs but damn were there some very boring parts. the last song is waaay too boring for being so long, and “I believe” was also extremely boring. Shout, everybody wants to rule the world, and head over heels are great though

Perfection in every detail

I liked!! Some of the songs are a little long but really enjoyed.

One of my fav albums of all time

Pop album. Recognized the hits, the rest kind of blended into the background. OK.

Tears for Fears were among the greatest acts of the eighties. Frontrunners of the resurgence of British pop. This was their apex album, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rather I like them or not they are musical geniuses!

4★/5 10.02.2026

I really dislike 80s sounds, but this album at least has some creativity.

Не мое

everybody wants to rule the world

Huh, very 80-s

Ese (casi) cierre de Broken y head over hills le hacen subir un grado de calificación y convertirlo en una joya 💎

The sound of the 80s in one record. Some absolutely class on this, and even the tracks that take a backseat are pretty decent. Beloved for good reason.

Takes me back!

6/20 oui bon

teveel 80, maar goed voor 80

Good.

Really good, I loved it.

Gorgeous, perfectly 80s, i love the moody atmospheres and I can’t believe the way these songs are different in my mind and heart than in my head. Like i imagine harmonies that aren’t really there lol. An important piece of culture to me

Somehow manages to be like the most 80s thing ever but also completely timeless

Good album. Liked it more than I thought originally would.

I'm aware of a few songs via singles only. I know it's that quintessential 80s synth driven pop/soft rock. ------------------- There is a lot to like here with the highlights being the strong vocals and song composition. Shout is a radio classic, but there is a great deep cut in broken which has a decent bit of edge and heft. Side A slaps, side B sleeps. 3*

I listened again to the opening track to hear the percussion. Really good and an example of how songs you think you know can have greater depth when you listen carefully. The hits here are all I previously knew of Tears for Fears. The album is coherent and strong making T4F more than just the hits for me.

I’m not usually so hot on ’80s production, but this is great. The vocals are fantastic and work incredibly well with the deep bass lines, culminating in a larger-than-life, poppy, atmospheric sound. Some great tracks here, and I’d be more than happy to jump back into the big chair for another listen.

Just pure 80s.

I think i will have to push this up from a 3 to a 4 just based on the strength of the singles and the end song

9.25/10 - This belongs with the other 5 stars on the list. I think for most people “Mothers Talk” is the questionable song on the list, but I wouldn’t skip the song. I think this is an excellent album. Brilliant!

Some absolute bangers on here but there are a few moments that feel dated. 8/10

I only new one song from this album, but the whole album didn't really caught my attention, a bit too slow.

The most 80s thing ive ever heard. Thr hits are good. Some of the rest sounds like a sad drag queen

Quintessential 80’s

Fantastic album. One slow song that keeps it from being a perfect 5.

Belter of an album. Some massive singles on here, and the lesser songs are still great. Really enjoyed listening to this one.

lame und versucht auf Krampf quirky zu sein aber ist nicht meins

Listening to this out of the context of “the 80s” has been a treat. Great album. Side note: “I believe” sounds like it could’ve been written for Sade.

Jarringly smarter than you can expect, with its social commentary being as prominent in the lyrics as they are in the aesthetic of this album. In the future, when humanity moves past its corporate consumerism phase, this could stand as one of the strongest pieces of imagery to conceptualize this point in history. No skips, Head Over Heels / Broken might be the peak, but honestly most of these songs stand toe to toe with one another.

This is probably one of the best albums I've ever heard. It really scratches a certain itch for me I can't explain it.

Top 3 quintessential 80s albums for sure. And just pure 80s perfection from start to finish.

Legendary

Just alright

The Essential Tears for Fears bangers.

GOATed I fear

day 3 of not rolling Aja by Steely Dan bro just listen to "Peg" and tell me that song isn't better than 70% of the full albums we've rolled here. you mean to tell me that these British fucks put Aja in the same book as Spacemen fucking 3??? come on now. give me aja you piece of shit website. you cowards. in other news, this one is great! not overly long? check. songs are interesting and dynamic? check. contains one of my teenage anthems ("Shout")? check. varied riffs that each kind of become earworms? check.

My immediate criticism is that this album title is too cool for such dorky cover art. I think this is a better and more complete album than other similar efforts, to such a degree that I was actually surprised. There’s though paid to sequencing and track selection. Colour me impressed. I said colour because British.

Everybody Wants To Rule The World is one of my favorite songs of all time, and the rest of this album is lush and expansive. Many of the biggest, most powerful synth sounds of the '80s are on this record!

My wife has a theory that you can’t buy a CD if there is not at least three songs you like on it (I’ve never followed that exactly). By that standard, I could buy this CD! These songs where such huge anthems of the ‘80s at the time and the soundtrack to so many John Hughes movies, they became part of the soundtrack to my life as well. The big three, of course, are Head Over Heels, Everybody Wants to Rule the World (seems oddly fitting right now); and my favorite Shout which not only was my roller rink jab but also a great cover frequent in the metal world (see Disturbed’s version). I hate to say that the non-radio hits are good but lack the same caliber of these three. Listen was intriguing, especially in context of the slow collapse of the USSR, and Mothers Talk I was surprised wasn’t a radio hits. I’m going to make a bold statement here: this is the only Tears for Fears album anyone ever needs. For nostalgia purposes, it’s a 4; for musical contribution , it’s a 3. Since I can’t average….

Random thoughts: * Was so weird to hear a song I've never heard sandwiched in between two songs I've heard a million times. This is the problem with listening to an album for the first time when there are some monster hits on it. * Mothers Talk was a good track and I can see how they were compared to Depeche Mode. Clearly a different type of band but this track could lead someone there. Also, the actually catchy word of this song were "we can work it out". Never heard that in a pop song before. lol * I really liked "Broken" the lead-in to Head Over Heels. Was a nice setup and I bet that crushed live in concert. * Why is there applause at the end of Head Over Heels? Nothing indicated that was a live track. Such a weird choice. I hate it. * Of course, 3 bangers on here with Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, and Head Over Heels. That has to put this album to 4-star for those songs. It doesn't quite push this to classic territory. Nice to hear these hits i context. Worth addition to 1001.

If you think 80's playlist there are at least 2 songs from this album on every of them. The rest of the album is less known but pretty cool Really enjoyed "Listen"

Three big hits on here. Good album

Great album, has some real classics in it and is really great, gives some awesome 80s vibes, highly recommend.