Studio Album · No. 2

Songs from the Big Chair Songwriting Credits by Tears for Fears

1985 Mercury / Phonogram 8 tracks 41:52

Produced by Chris Hughes  ·  Engineered by Dave Bascombe, Nick Webb

Mercury / Phonogram New WavePop Rock
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 8 of 8 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 8 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 8 tracks with documented writers, by whether Tears for Fears carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
8 trackswritten by Tears for Fears 0 tracksoutside writers
Tears for Fears's roles on this album

Share of the 8 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

8
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
1985
Released
Data Insight

Orzabal is on all eight tracks and Ian Stanley on five, including both number ones. Curt Smith takes one credit here and one on the next album, which is his whole share of the decade.

Songs from the Big Chair came out on Mercury in February 1985, topped the Billboard 200 and produced two American number one singles.

Track Listing & Credits 8 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Shout #1
Roland OrzabalIan Stanley Roland Jaime Orzabal de la QuintanaIan Stanley Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Chris Hughes (Drums)
2
The Working Hour
Roland OrzabalIan StanleyManny Elias Roland Jaime Orzabal de la QuintanaIan StanleyManny Elias Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Manny Elias (Drums)Jerry Marotta (Drums)Mel Collins (Saxophone)Will Gregory (Saxophone)
3
Everybody Wants to Rule the World #1
Roland OrzabalIan StanleyChris Hughes Roland Jaime Orzabal de la QuintanaIan StanleyChris Hughes Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Neil Taylor (Guitar)
4
Mothers Talk #27
Roland OrzabalIan Stanley Roland Jaime Orzabal de la QuintanaIan Stanley Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)
5
I Believe
Roland Orzabal Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Will Gregory (Saxophone)
6
Broken
Roland Orzabal Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Neil Taylor (Guitar)
7
Head over Heels/Broken (Live)
Roland OrzabalCurt Smith Roland Jaime Orzabal de la QuintanaCurt Smith Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)
8
Listen
Ian StanleyRoland Orzabal Ian StanleyRoland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana Chris Hughes Tears for Fears (Performer)Marilyn David (Vocals)Roland Orzabal (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 12 contributors

More from Tears for Fears

Frequently Asked Questions Songs from the Big Chair

Who wrote Songs from the Big Chair?
Roland Orzabal on all eight tracks, with Ian Stanley co-writing five of them. Curt Smith is credited on one.
How high did the singles chart?
"Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" both reached number 1 on the Hot 100, "Head over Heels" number 3 and "Mothers Talk" number 27.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes no sales figure for it. It is multi-platinum in both America and Britain and topped the Billboard 200.
Who engineered it?
Dave Bascombe, with Nick Webb cutting the lacquer.
Did it win anything?
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" won the Brit Award for Best British Single in 1986.
Who produced it?
Chris Hughes.
How long is the album?
41:52 across eight tracks.

Sources