The album "Songs From The Big Chair" was the second album released by Tears for Fears, a duo of Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. The album was released on 27 February 1985 and is the bands most successful album to date. The album reached number 1 in the USA and number 2 in the UK.
The album's title was inspired by the book and television series Sybil, about a woman with multiple personality disorder who sought refuge in her analyst's "big chair". Orzabal and Smith said that they felt each of the album's songs had a distinctive personality of its own.
The album produced 5 singles and these were all successful, although "I Believe" was only released in the UK. Given the success the band had in the USA compared to the UK, this seems a strange decision. Also the re-recording for the single was recorded on the USA tour! The song that really catapulted the band in the USA was "Everybody wants to rule the world", which was one of the most successful songs of 1985 by any artist.
"Mothers Talk" released in 1984 in the UK, 1986 in the USA
No 14 in the UK, No 27 on the Billboard Hot 100
"Shout" released in 1984 in the UK, 1985 in the USA
No 4 in the UK, No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" released in 1985
No 2 in the UK, No 1 on the Billbaord Hot 100
"Head Over Heels" released in 1985
No 12 in the UK, No 3 on the Billbaord Hot 100
"I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)" released only in the UK in 1985
No 23 in the UK
Any album that produces 5 hit singles from just 8 tracks is worthy of a mention and I still think this album stands the test of time. I recommend you check it out if yiu don't own already!
