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.
Sorry Town
Curt Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lipstick goodbyes and a promise to call
He's in a veiled illusion
She's out of mind
They're happy ever after
And so am I
Cool in sorry town
Cool in sorry town
I'm alive
Andrew expires on a valium Sunday
Ballpoint goodbyes full of rambling asides
His life's a failed illusion
He's killing time
He's happy ever after
And so am I
Cool in sorry town
I watch you drown
Cool in sorry town
I'm alive
I'm breaking stride on a cynical Sunday
Cool world goodbye said the fly on the wall
I'm in controlled confusion
I'm Mister Fine
So happy ever after
Cool in sorry town
I watch you drown
Cool in sorry town
I'm alive
(repeat)
The lyrics to Curt Smith's "Sorry Town" describe a series of tragic events happening to different people, but with the common thread of the singer remaining "cool" and relatively unaffected by the chaos around them. The first verse introduces Alison, who is crying on a Monday, presumably because of a broken heart. She puts on lipstick and promises to call someone before leaving, while the man she leaves behind is living in a "veiled illusion." Despite these problems, the singer declares that he and the couple are all "happy ever after" - a statement that feels ironic, given the sadness that has just been described.
The second verse introduces someone named Andrew, who is expired on a Sunday due to an overdose of the tranquilizer Valium. He leaves behind a suicide note full of rambling thoughts and unfinished ideas, suggesting perhaps that his life had similarly been full of missed opportunities and wasted potential. Despite Andrew's failure and death, the singer claims that he (and presumably Andrew) are "happy ever after." In the final verse, the singer himself seems to be experiencing some inner turmoil on a "cynical Sunday," but he insists that he is still in control and "Mister Fine." Once again, he declares himself "happy ever after" even as he watches the world around him collapse.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring themes of resilience and numbness in the face of adversity. Even when things are falling apart, the singer maintains a cool, detached demeanor, insisting that everything is fine and that he is happy. The repetition of the chorus- "Cool in sorry town, I watch you drown, cool in sorry town, I'm alive"- further emphasizes this sense of disconnection from the world and its problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Alison cries on a radio Monday
Alison is feeling emotional and upset on a Monday, as though she's expressing her emotions through a radio station.
Lipstick goodbyes and a promise to call
Alison is leaving someone, leaving behind her lipstick as a symbol of her goodbye, even though she promises to keep in touch.
He's in a veiled illusion
The person Alison is leaving behind is in a hidden or unclear state of mind, perhaps not fully understanding what is happening.
She's out of mind
Alison herself is disconnected from her own thoughts and feelings, perhaps feeling overwhelmed or lost.
They're happy ever after
Despite everything that has happened, both Alison and the person she is leaving behind are ultimately content and happy with their lives.
And so am I
The singer, presumably Curt Smith himself, is also happy for them and content with his own life.
Cool in sorry town
Despite the feeling of sadness or regret implied by being in 'sorry town', the singer is cool and calm, perhaps seeming unaffected by their surroundings.
I watch you drown
The artist is observing someone else's struggles and problems, metaphorically 'drowning' in them, but not necessarily making an effort to help.
I'm alive
The artist is separate from the problems and struggles they are observing, and is feeling alive and present in the moment.
Andrew expires on a Valium Sunday
A person named Andrew has died on a Sunday, possibly due to taking Valium, a prescription drug often used to treat anxiety or insomnia.
Ballpoint goodbyes full of rambling asides
Andrew has left behind notes or letters saying goodbye, which include rambling thoughts or messages that don't quite make sense.
His life's a failed illusion
Andrew's life didn't play out as he had hoped or planned, perhaps feeling like his successes and achievements were all for nothing.
He's killing time
In the time leading up to his death, Andrew seems to be passing time rather than living fully in the moment or making the most of his time left.
He's happy ever after
Despite his death, Andrew is finally at peace and content with his life and how things have turned out.
I'm breaking stride on a cynical Sunday
The singer is experiencing a sense of disillusionment or skepticism on a Sunday, when they are perhaps supposed to be feeling more relaxed or at ease.
Cool world goodbye said the fly on the wall
The artist is an outsider in a situation where they are observing others saying goodbye, feeling almost invisible like a fly on the wall.
I'm in controlled confusion
The artist is feeling somewhat conflicted or confused, but is still keeping their emotions and thoughts under control and in check.
I'm Mister Fine
Despite any internal struggles or challenges, the singer is projecting an image of being 'fine', or not visibly troubled or upset.
So happy ever after
Despite any struggles they may be facing, the singer is ultimately happy with the way things have turned out and their own life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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