Drummer Manny Elias came up with the basic drumpattern and suggested it to Roland.
Roland took some unused chords from keyboardist Ian Stanly, wrote lyrics to it and took it from there.
It became his way of getting the bad feeling he had about Tears For Fears becoming a business, and having to tour the world in your ealy twenties, off his chest.
The song came together in about half an hour.
The recording that you hear is the only recording they ever did:
They put a tape recorder near by and just played.
Wich is why it has a very live feel to it.
In the studio the song wasn't played again for the album, the master went directly onto vinyl.
The Working Hour
Tears for Fears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I've
Been told
Can rearrange
My world
My doubt
In time
But inside out
We are paid by those who learn by our mistake
This day
And age
For all
And not for one
All lies
And secrets
Put on
Put on and on
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistake
And fear is such a vicious thing
It wraps me up in chains
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
The lyrics to Tears for Fears's song "The Working Hour" seem to convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration, particularly in regards to the powerful forces that shape our lives. The lines "These things that I've been told can rearrange my world" suggest that the singer has been subject to some kind of manipulation or external influence that has uprooted their sense of order and stability. Furthermore, the lines "All lies and secrets put on and on" suggest that those in power are not always truthful or forthcoming about their intentions, and that they use their influence to maintain control over others.
However, the song also suggests that change is possible, albeit difficult. The lines "My doubt in time, but inside out" seem to suggest that the singer has some measure of control over their own sense of doubt and disillusionment, and that with time and patience, they may be able to overcome these feelings. The repeated refrain, "This is the working hour, we are paid by those who learn by our mistake" underscores the idea that through our struggles and failures, we have the opportunity to learn and grow.
Overall, "The Working Hour" seems to be a deeply introspective and poignant meditation on the ways in which external forces shape our lives, and the potential we have to overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
These things
The advice I have received
That I've
Which I have received in the past
Been told
Has the power to change my worldview
Can rearrange
Has the ability to restructure
My world
My perception of the world around me
My doubt
My uncertainty
In time
Eventually
But inside out
Will change how I see myself
This is the working hour
This is the time we are expected to be productive
We are paid by those who learn by our mistake
Our employers benefit from the errors we make
This day
The current era
And age
The present time period
For all
For everyone
And not for one
Not just for a single person
All lies
All falsehoods
And secrets
And things kept hidden
Put on
Displayed falsely
Put on and on
Repeating over and over
And fear is such a vicious thing
Fear can be incredibly harmful
It wraps me up in chains
It constricts me and holds me back
Find out
Discover
What this fear is about
The cause of this fear
Find out
Uncover
What this fear is about
The root of this fear
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Manny Elias, Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EsromFF
These things
That I've
Been told
Can rearrange
My world
My doubt
In time
But inside out
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistake
This day
And age
For all
And not for one
All lies
And secrets
Put on
Put on and on
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistake
And fear is such a vicious thing
It wraps me up in chains
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
ndexx
These things that I've been told
Can rearrange my world
My doubt in time
But inside out
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This day and age
For all and not for one
All lies and secrets
Put on put on and on
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
And fear is such a vicious thing
It wraps me up in chains
Find out, find out
What this fear is about
Find out, find out
What this fear is about
Find out, find out
What this fear is about
Peter Green
Absolutely superb. Arguably their finest track. Layers and layers of sound like a great big chocolate cake of audio
Jurandir Rodrigues
best quality sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDbRQOB4Qwc
Яшар Бабаев
Сто% не добавить, не прибавить
Adrian Golarte
Agreed 100%.
Jorg 1206
Yes, all true and sooo deep lyric wise. Their Magnum Opus!
AUGUSTALLEN28
Absolute sound odyssey.
EIStudent
The sax is off the chain in this song. This track is a true masterpiece.
John Tyree
The master work of William Gregory 🎷
Erick Crawford
5:42 and beyond man. Its just ugh. Heavy.
EIStudent
@Mark Watson Yes it is. The whole album was amazing.