"Shout" by Tears for Fears

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  2366
Date:  06/15/1985
Debut:  66
Peak:  1 (3 weeks)
Weeks:  19
Genre:  Synthpop, New Wave



Pop Bits:  This UK duo hit it big in the US when their second album, Songs from the Big Chair, produced the #1 single "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." For a follow-up, this meditative anthem was pushed out. It would be another major success for them getting to #1 at Pop and Dance while reaching #6 Rock and #56 R&B. It would also become their first gold selling single thanks in part to the song's associated video, which was all over MTV at the time. The song would also send the album to the #1 spot later in July. It would remain in the top position for five non-consecutive weeks. Eventually it would sell over five million copies.

ReduxReview:  This song starts off with a big, arena ready chorus and never lets up from there. It was instantly memorable and like nothing else on the radio. The arrangement was terrific as was the atmospheric production courtesy of producer Chris Hughes. Nothing from their first album prepared anyone for this in-your-face blast and it rightfully became an 80s classic.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  The album's title was inspired by the 1976 television film Sybil, which starred Sally Field and Joanne Woodward. Based on the 1973 book of the same name, the film centers on Sybil Dorsett and her multiple personality disorder. Sybil took comfort in sitting in her psychiatrist's "big chair" during their sessions. The book would be a best-seller while the film would go on to win four Emmy awards including one for Field. In addition to the film inspiring the album's title, it would also inspire a song. Tears for Fears would record "The Big Chair," which was an instrumental track that featured snippets of dialog from the Sybil film. While the song would not be included on the album, it would end up being the b-side to "Shout." It would also later appear on deluxe reissues of the album.

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