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.
Where Do I Go
Curt Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keeps slowly does it time
Impaled by trust shot up with your
Four in the morning eyes
Where do I go
Where do I go
Where do I go
She's drifting round my barren ground
Breaks slowly cold or crazed
These dust dead eyes are focused far
Behind these summer days
Where do I go
Where do I go
Where do I go
Where do I go
And will I come of age make your day
Be precious and contrived
Or will I blow you all away
In his song "Where Do I Go," Curt Smith sings about a state of confusion and uncertainty. The opening lines suggest that the singer's mind is in a foggy, altered state, possibly due to some kind of medical procedure. The lyrics "sutured mind post-op'd and dry" imply a surgical procedure may have taken place. The phrase "slowly does it time" could signify the slow recovery process after the operation. He then describes feeling hurt and betrayed, likely by someone he trusted deeply. Smith's use of language is vivid and poetic, emphasizing his feelings of vulnerability and isolation. He also mentions "four in the morning eyes" bringing up the idea of staying up late due to some kind of emotional distress.
Through the repetition of the phrase "Where do I go," Smith seems to be struggling to find a way forward. The second verse shifts to a more serene yet melancholic tone. Smith describes a woman's presence in his life, but she is distant and detached, and the relationship brings him further down. He is stuck in his head and cannot seem to find a way out of his negative thoughts. The final verse brings the listener to a turning point in the song, which seems to be about the singer trying to figure out what to do in order to progress and move on. Smith suggests that he has a choice: to rise above his pain and become something great or to destroy it all. The lines "And will I come of age, make your day/ Be precious and contrived/ Or will I blow you all away" further emphasize this internal struggle.
Overall, "Where Do I Go" is a beautiful and thoughtful expression of the turmoil that comes with heartbreak and emotional pain. Smith's lyrics are powerful and poignant, and his ability to convey the singer's innermost feelings shines through in this song. It is a moving piece that evokes a range of emotions in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
My sutured mind post-op'd and dry
My mind, which has been operated on and stitched up, feels numb and devoid of emotion.
Keeps slowly does it time
Time seems to pass slowly and deliberately.
Impaled by trust shot up with your
The trust I had in you has caused me great pain, like being impaled.
Four in the morning eyes
Your eyes, which are awake and alert at four in the morning, make me feel uneasy and anxious.
Where do I go
I am lost and unsure of where to turn.
Where do I go
I am searching for direction and guidance.
Where do I go
I am feeling lost and alone.
Where do I go
I am asking for help and support.
She's drifting round my barren ground
I feel like I am alone in a desolate, empty space, and she is flitting in and out of my life.
Breaks slowly cold or crazed
My heart is breaking, and it's happening gradually and painfully.
These dust dead eyes are focused far
Despite my pain, I am looking to the future and staying focused on my goals.
Behind these summer days
Despite the bright, sunny days, I feel sadness and pain.
And will I come of age make your day
Will I grow up and become someone you can be proud of?
Be precious and contrived
Will I have to pretend to be someone I'm not in order to make you happy?
Or will I blow you all away
Or, will I disappoint you and everyone else around me?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHARLTON CLAY PETTUS, CURT SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RickBeato
Wow! Beautiful!!!
@lukewatson1636
Imagine seeing you here!!! Im doing the same thing just playing acoustic covers and come across this!!! Love you Rick B!!!
@markvolstad9380
When will we see a duet with you and one of your kids?
@ThiagodMoraes
Hey Rick Tears for Fears gave an interview couple weeks ago that they are releasing a new album and I know you are a fan of them like us!!
@GreenMountainVelvet
I think a Tears For Fears “What Makes This Song Great?” is in order!!! Love your channel, Rick!
@MarkLipka
🎶 @Rick: Just watched your latest WMTSG featuring TFF. Thanks, Rick! 🎵
When will your episode about Alphonse Mouzon & "Ascorbic Acid" be airing?
@jaylam676
I was probably his daughter’s age when I first heard this song. Now I’m 55 years old. Always a TFF fan. Beautiful harmony!!
@chrishart8548
I guess you were 15 years old then. Tears for fears 1983
@jaylam676
@@chrishart8548
Sure was. Around that age. Long time ago.
@49ccMopedWorld
I was there in the early eighties when in late 83 I became 14. Glad to have been there with all them great bands. Some stil and/or again playing now in 2023 which says it all to me!!!!