Smith, now a naturalized U.S. citizen, originally hails from Bath, England, where he and Roland Orzabal met when both were teenagers. They first formed a band at school, for which Smith taught himself to play bass guitar, and later formed the band Graduate, which achieved minor fame in continental Europe, and released one album in 1980. After disbanding Graduate, Smith and Orzabal founded Tears for Fears. TFF’s debut album, 1983’s The Hurting, was a UK number one and produced three international hit singles –"Mad World", "Change", and "Pale Shelter" – each with lead vocals performed by Smith.
Their second album, 1985's Songs from the Big Chair was even more successful, yielding hits including "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (sung by Smith), "Shout," and "Head Over Heels" (which Smith co-wrote). The duo spent the next several years recording their 1989 album The Seeds of Love, which proved to be another international bestseller, but Smith left the band a year after its release and moved to New York.
Smith released his first solo album, Soul On Board, in 1993, but the album was a commercial failure. Smith later claimed he hated the album and made it purely to fulfill his contract with Phonogram Records (the label to which Tears For Fears had signed to in 1981). He acclimated to life in New York by hosting an MTV show, as well as a new music radio show that was syndicated to over 300 U.S. colleges, and by teaching a music industry course at New York University. In 1995, a mutual friend introduced Smith to songwriter-guitarist Charlton Pettus. They began writing together and formed a band called Mayfield, which released a self-titled album in 1997.
Smith moved to Los Angeles in 1998, and began work on what was to become "Halfway, pleased" a few years later, but the project was put on hold after he had begun speaking to Roland Orzabal again in 2000 after nearly a decade of silence. Their conversations culminated in the duo reforming Tears For Fears for a new album, 2004’s Everybody Loves A Happy Ending, which led to a worldwide tour. Smith resumed work on "Halfway, pleased" in 2006. The semi-autobiographical album explores Smith’s relationships with his children, parents and friends. Halfway, pleased was released in May 2008, via Smith’s own KOOK Media imprint. It is available in CD and download configurations from major online retailers and from select retail locations.
In May 2013, Smith confirmed that he was writing and recording new Tears for Fears material with Orzabal and Charlton Pettus. 3-4 songs were worked on in the UK at Orzabal’s home studio, Neptune’s Kitchen, in April of 2013. Further work on a new Tears For Fears album commenced in L.A. in July of 2013. According to Orzabal, they have been producing of more dark, dramatic pieces of music, which gave the pending album the tongue-in-cheek working title of Tears for Fears: The Musical. “There’s one track that’s a combination of Portishead and Queen. It’s just crazy,” Orzabal stated.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of TFF’s debut album The Hurting, Universal Music are re-releasing it in two Deluxe Editions (one a 2-disc set and the other a 4-disc set with a DVD of the 1983 In My Mind’s Eye concert) in October 2013.
In August 2013, Tears For Fears released their first newly recorded material in nearly decade, with a cover of Arcade Fire’s “Ready to Start” made available on SoundCloud.
Calling Out
Curt Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm doing the best I can
I'm doing the best I can
I'm doing the best I can
Spinning round
Falling down
World just keeps on turning
People's needs
When we should be learning
And I want something more
For you and me to dream on
Oh I've been looking for something to believe
So now it's time for letting go
I've got to let my feelings show
I won't be coming back
I'm calling out around the world, calling out
Calling out around the world
I'm telling everyone I see
Time to take a chance again
And free the dream, the dream in me
Dear God
I'm doing the best I can
Love me now
Show me now
I forgot the feeling
Take me there
Anywhere
Hatred turns to healing
'Cause I want something more
That I can put my faith in
Oh I've been looking for
Something to believe
And now it's time for letting go
I've got to let my feelings show
I won't be coming back
I'm calling out around the world, calling out
Chorus
Dear God
I'm doing the best I can
I'm doing the best I can
I'm doing the best I can
The song "Calling Out" by Curt Smith is an emotional plea to a higher power for guidance and understanding. The repeated plea of "Dear God, I'm doing the best I can" suggests a feeling of personal struggle and a longing for support. The line "chaos breeds, people's needs, when we should be learning" implies that amidst the chaos and neediness of the world, there is a desire for deeper connection and meaning.
The lyrics also express a desire for something to believe in, as the singer has been searching for it for some time. The lines "I want something more for you and me to dream on" and "I want something more that I can put my faith in" hint at a desire for hope and purpose beyond the present moment.
In the chorus, the singer asserts that it is "time to take a chance again" and "free the dream in me," suggesting a desire for new beginnings and greater fulfillment. Overall, "Calling Out" is a powerful expression of vulnerability and longing, as the singer seeks comfort and direction in a complex and uncertain world.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear God
Addressing a higher power with a plea for help
I'm doing the best I can
Expressing effort and determination to make progress despite challenges
Spinning round
Feeling disoriented and unsure
Falling down
Experiencing failure or setbacks
World just keeps on turning
The constant and unchanging nature of the world
Chaos breeds
Disorder and confusion lead to negative outcomes
People's needs
The things that people require or desire in order to be happy or fulfilled
When we should be learning
Instead of being distracted by chaos, we should be focusing on personal growth
And I want something more
Desiring a deeper or more meaningful experience
For you and me to dream on
Wishing for a positive and inspiring vision for the future
Oh I've been looking for something to believe
Seeking guidance or direction from something greater than oneself
So now it's time for letting go
Realizing that holding onto certain beliefs or behaviors is no longer helpful
I've got to let my feelings show
Expressing oneself openly and honestly
I won't be coming back
Making a decision to move forward and leave the past behind
I'm calling out around the world, calling out
Asking for help or support from others everywhere
Calling out around the world
Making a request to people from all over the globe
I'm telling everyone I see
Communicating one's need for assistance to anyone who will listen
Time to take a chance again
Encouraging oneself and others to be willing to take risks
And free the dream, the dream in me
Letting go of fears or doubts that are holding back one's aspirations
Love me now
Asking for affection or understanding from others
Show me now
Desiring proof of love or support
I forgot the feeling
Having lost touch with one's emotions
Take me there
Wanting to be transported to a better mental or emotional state
Anywhere
Not being picky about where one finds peace or happiness
Hatred turns to healing
Negative emotions can be transformed into positive ones over time
Cause I want something more
Revisiting the desire for a deeper experience or connection
That I can put my faith in
Seeking something to believe in or trust
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CURT SMITH, FRANNIE GOLDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bravesoul5743
I actually remember this song when I was a kid and loved it!❤ And now I'm back here and realized I still loved it!
@clarakirkendoll6061
It's a really nice song, I like it
@annieguinther3927
I love this song, Curt has such a angelic voice😍😍
@rd749249
Sure I read somewhere, apparently Curt don’t like this album? Can’t see why, it’s a pretty solid track IMO.
@louiseditlevsen6887
I think Curt is the person that makes adults at the age of 50 or older to jump around on those jumping balls 😂 i love it 😂
@marianne_knight_
J'adore la musique Curt Smith est incroyable 💖
@blitz6963
such a underated/under appirciaded song
amazing music video much better than 99% of new music videos and song coming out now in 2022
curt is a trully a timless artist
@fernandobritodemoura8995
Super song
@juanoyarcearevalo81
Gran canción,saludos desde chile y gracias por subir este video
@Videos80sRemastered
Eres muy bienvenida