"Change" by Tears for Fears

Song#:  1555
Date:  08/06/1983
Debut:  90
Peak:  73
Weeks:  6
Genre:  New Wave, Rock



Pop Bits:  This English duo consisting of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, began their journey as part of a band called Graduate. They issued one album in 1980, but after disappointing results, Orzabal and Smith left to form their own outfit. Initially calling themselves History of Headaches, the pair changed the band name to Tears for Fears and got signed to Phonogram Records. Their first two singles tanked, but a third called "Mad World" caught the ears of UK listeners who pushed the single to #3. The hit drew attention to their debut album The Hurting and it catapulted to the #1 slot. This song was their follow-up and it did just as well reaching #4. Their success got some folks in the US interested and this song would reach #22 at Rock while spending a few weeks on the Pop chart. As a result, their album would reach a respectable #73 and it would set them up for further success.

ReduxReview:  I never got to hear this song when it first came out. I'm sure the opening keyboard riff would have immediately caught my attention and I probably would have pursued the band. Although this is a good tune, I'm surprised that "Mad World" didn't catch on here - it's a superior song. It seems like the single was issued in the US, but not sure if it came before or after "Change." Now, everyone knows "Mad Love," thanks to various cover versions, while this song has gotten lost in the shuffle. The Hurting is pretty great and more experimental than their commercial-leaning follow-ups. I'm glad I know it now, but I wish I could have jumped on it back in the day.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  In their early days before forming Graduate, Orzabal and Smith played along with a group called Neon. That band also included Rob Fisher and Pete Byrne. That pair of musicians would also go their own way and eventually become Naked Eyes. The duo would end up scoring the #8 hit "Always Something There to Remind Me" early in '83.

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