Tears For Fears: Everybody Wants to Rule the World ANALYSIS and BREAK-DOWN | The Daily Doug Ep. 745
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- Опубліковано 10 бер 2024
- #tearsforfears #everybodywantstoruletheworld
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm visiting a song that I've heard several times before for a spin through the Daily Doug microscope. We're breaking down and analyzing Everybody Wants to Rule the World from Tears for Fears. It's an iconic synth-pop tune from 1985 that also has some great guitar work and an evergreen message. It was great to stop and focus on this song today, and I hope that you enjoy the analysis!
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Songs From the Big Chair deserves an album listen. Its one of the greatest albums of the 80s and of all time. Shout, The Working Hour, I Believe and Head Over Heads are classics. Even the closer Listen is great which doesnt get enough credit. Just a perfect album!
"The Working Hour" is an incredible song.
I had this on vinyl (original 1985 print). I have now passed it along to my niece, whom has become quite the collector of great vinyl albums. Consider it an early high school graduation present.
This was one of my first CD purchases in the late 80s - it found a place in my car CD player and was in heavy rotation with XTC, Robert Palmer, and Level 42.
In the U.K. a new documentary came out this weekend about the album.
The production alone is amazing, leaving aside the top notch songwriting, instrumentation, singing...
I've always been into metal/ hard rock/ progressive rock. Surprisingly, I find Tears for Fears to be an exceptional band. Their albums are really well-developed and deep. Can't help but love this song- such a perfect pop song.
Same, but i've always been a closet Duran Duran fan. The bass playing is amazing. As a fan of Geezer, Geddy, Steve Harris, Daisley, Chris Squire, Entwhistle among others, its easy to appreciate great playing, regardless of genre.
@@Marco-vw3mvThe (truly ridiculous) stereotype about early 80's New Wave pop groups is that few, if any, of the bands could play any instrument well.
@@ryanjacobson2508 Yep. Look at the Police for example. Very pop but the musicianship is excellent. Particularly the drums. Prince is another multi-instument master.
Yeah I’ve been mostly the same way. I’m usually listening to Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, 70’s Genesis, Iron Maiden, Rush, etc.
Tears for Fears put Prog into pop. They have a lot of Genesis, Floyd, and King Crimson influences they blended into New Wave and popular music. A lot of Prog does that today and gets embraced by the Prog community. Twelfth Night is considered Neo-Prog and practically did the same thing as Tears for Fears back in the day.
I played this for my 10-year-old a few months ago, as one of those songs they sometimes hear me mangling under my breath, and they loved it. "Wait, this is *forty* years old? Whaaaaa?!" I explained that they were one of the founders of the modern synth sound. They shook their head and wandered off.
It's now anchoring their Spotify playlist.
One of the most exquisitely arranged pop songs ever written. It makes me grin from ear to ear every time I listen to it. Just perfection.
Definitely "Head Over Heels". It's an underrated classic.
Love that song
When you call everything underrated it loses meaning. That song is a MASSIVE hit.
Certainly better than the song Doug chose. I quite like it. I still think "Shout" is their best song.
It is by far my favourite track on this album however it wasn't the big hit that 'Rule The World' was, hence under-rated, in the UK anyway.@@whatdothlife4660
@@reliantncc1864 I think I prefer Shout
There’s an underrated guitar solo right there! 🤔
Perfection!!!
I love it one of my favorites
“Bad man’s song” solo is epic.
5:17 Yes there is
Very tasteful and cool
I loved this song in 1985 and I love it today in 2024. Great music never gets old.
What keeps hitting me the more reactions I view is how many really interesting and strong songs we were blessed with in the ‘80s, many of which we took as just par for the course.
Yep 😄
This song always evokes of the end of Real Genius to me.
So many great quotes from that movie. A real cult classic!
Chris Knight: "Oh Kent, that is SO unfair. And we were gonna make you the king of the winter carnival."
Kent: "You were?"
(Chris turns his head and gives a menacing grin)
Ick: "It worked!!"
Mitch: "That's neat!!"
Ick: "Now, if we can just keep it from exploding!"
Kent: (nervously) Explode? Expl-" (rushes and ducks into his dorm room)
(Ick and Mitch laugh)
Chris: "You were just joking about it exploding, right Ick?" (pause) "Ick? That's a joke, right?"
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Yes! But Chaz Jankel's Number One is the real standout.
@@there4im839 So is "I'm Fallin'" by Comsat Angels. Both tracks make me want to be in a montage studying hard for a big project or test..
The quintessential 80s song and my favorite song of all-time.
Saw them live last year. Instruments and vocals were flawless. New album has beautiful music.
The in-between pitch is almost certainly the result of the (presumably) 1/2” master tape being varispeeded slightly at the mastering stage. My guess is that the actual recording is in D.
I was thinking the same thing - but they could have slowed the track down much like U2 did with Still haven’t found what I’m looking for…
Slowing it would give the bottom end more punch
Slowing down a bit knocks off a few hz s is it 432 hz tuning my ears are ok but not pitch exactly
@@enduser63I think we can confidently say that tuning to A432 was not a consideration.
I am not a musician, but as far as I can tell from my research, the song is in G major/Sol M.
@@oskarobitKey of D.
Tears for Fears is the official soundtrack of the 80's.
Rick Beato has also done a "What Makes This Song Great" episode about EWTRTW. It is awesome!
Mad World -- the original video and then Curt and his daughter Diva. My favorite TFF song, by far.
I prefer the cover for Mad World.
@@briankarcher8338 I agree.
Gary Jules cover is very moving and well done.
Mad world is my favourite song of there’s and I don’t like the cover version at all
From the great 80’s film, “REAL GENIUS”.
I have no desire to rule the world. But my God, do they make it sound so good!
Pure Pop Perfection!!!
The working title for the song was "Everybody Wants to Go to War", but the studio convinced them to change it. Makes you wonder if the song would have been as popular if they released it with the original title. Regardless, I love the song and they still perform it in concert.
Probably not, this title makes so much more sense across all areas of human ego
One of the first cassettes ever bought along with Madonna and Duran Duran. Over 40 years later it's still the jam.
One of my favorite songs from the 80's Listen to that guitar Doug
Sure, other bands have songs that I like more, but there might not be a more perfectly-crafted piece of pop rock.
I was a massive metal head in the 80's but I was a closeted Tears for Fears, Flock of Seagulls and Rick Springfield fan. i had their albums, but none of my friends knew that till about 10 years ago. ha..
FoS got a hard time for their image, but some of their music was quite haunting and even weird (in a good way). Honestly there's no reason anyone should feel embarrassed for enjoying it.
Sowing the Seeds of Love is the best Beatles song the Beatles never wrote.
Sowing the Seeds of Love is I Am the Walrus plus All You Need is Love with a dash of Penny Lane thrown in! 😊
Ha! I always thought it was very Beatle-y! It's actually my favorite T for F song.
It's not unusual for recordings to be between keys because producers will adjust the speed of the master recording to change the mood and tempo, etc.
Yeah, take the original sped up version of Rain by The Beatles, for example.
The master tapes were probably sped up or slowed down.
Thanks for this Doug. I had to dive deep into some of the terms you used to describe this production and he helped push me deeper into music theory. Love this channel.
There are some great tunes from the 80s charts in the UK Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw I could go on and on.
One of my favourites and a huge hit was It Bites Calling all the Heroes.
Francis Dunnery the guitarist and did some work with Robert Plant and Chris Squire. ✅
Oooh yes Nik Kershaw!
I've seen Francis at several of his house concerts. Brilliant songwriting and he was always entertaining.
Cumbrian lads as I remember?
"There's a room where the light won't find you. Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down. When they do, I'll be right behind you." I don't think this song would have the staying power it has without those lines.
Dr. Doug as always your incite is fascinating. In college, I had a professor of music teaching part of a humanities class. I never took music theory, but his instruction on classical to country to pop to rock was one of my highlights. It's the same with your videos. I find myself going back and listening again to the music I love and grew up on with a new appreciation of the pure genius of the artists. I haven't seen any Bob Marley and the Wailers videos. I would love your take on their music.
Great review, Head Over Heels next please.
Maybe 15 years ago or so, I made a “Driving” playlist and i put this song (one of my all time favorite songs) on it.
Several years after that, I read that Curt and Roland said they actually wanted this song to fit the feeling of driving (there’s even quite a bit of driving in the video).
The magic of music, right!?
These musical terms like neighbor tone and compound meter are so interesting because this music isnt created with knowledge of those terms. It's just born from talent, creativity, and a love of music.
It was impossible to escape this song when it first came out, would literally hear it at least 5 times a day. I have heard this song thousands of times, and can never get sick of it. Still gives me chills.
Me too! Chills every time! After nearly 40 years listening to it, I'm still excited to hear it. It's fresh and new every time. Amazing!!!
I always refer to TFF as a prog pop band. They have some really great groves and some surprising changes....which is one of my favourite 80's songs 🙂
This.
when i was young and angry i hated all them 70s and 80s, music but im now in my 30s my mindset has changed, and now im in love with the older music
TFF are AWESOME. Next songs to consider: Woman In Chains, and Badman's Song.
Or Sowing the Seeds of Love.
Love this song and had to listen as soon as I saw you were covering it. TFF were definitely a favourite of mine at the time.
I just love how powerful those two simple synth chords are! Add in that super catchy beat and all the layers, and you've got a song I can listen to at any time! This is definitely one of those karaoke-in-the-car style songs I will sing at full volume while driving. Also the bridge on this song is KILLER!!! Just such a great tune.
Your parents did one heck of a powerful job shielding you from the outside world. Thank you for the explanation as to how you have never heard anything from the non classical music category.
One of the greatest songs ever recorded. I wore the hell out of that cassette("Songs From The Big Chair") & it was one of the soundtracks in 1985 during my high school years. Lots of memories.
Hi Doug!!! I absolutely love your videos, your insight, expertise and just love of music!! Have you ever analyzed any film scores, or have I just missed those videos? I’m a professional musician and former high school music teacher and I love what I learn from you! Keep up the excellent work!!!
Great tune for sure. Check out Sowing the Seeds of Love with a Beatles vibe and Badman Song from Sowing the Seeds Lp.
This song never gets old!
Great insight as always! Surprised we didn't get more mention of the song's polyrhythm. Really really complex groove that sounds natural and not too distracting
The off key approach was a brilliant move .
It's a great song , almost timeless , and that off key approach really complements the lyrical message , because you get an almost subliminal feeling something is " unsettled " even if you do not or can not realize what they did here .
Absolutely brilliant approach .
If the vocals are removed, it could almost be a Steely Dan arrangement. I could be imagining it, but it's just how I hear it. Clever pop song, though.
The extended Maxi Versions of their Songs hits at any Party at that time loved it then and today thanks❤️🔥
Seeds of Love in ‘87 is a great album…Woman in Chains is a phenomenal track from it.
Ahhhh I just love this tune. Love the melancholy melody over the moving motion of the chords. Everybody wants to write a song like this.
They are still making great music. They released an album during the pandemic The Tipping Point. Really good.
2nd guitar solo a one take wonder by Neil Taylor
Great reaction Doug!! I've always loved this song, and Tears For Fears in general. The whole Songs From The Big Chair album is a classic of 80's pop rock!
Would love to hear your analysis of other Tears songs: Change, Woman In Chains, Mad World, Laid So Low (Tears Fall Down), Head Over Heels, Sowing The Seeds Of Love...
So many great songs!! Cheers!
this song always brings to mind Real Genius
You need to hear "Shout". Both songs were such hits in the 80s. Good to see some with classical background dive into popular music. From a classic music lover.
It's in Eb, but it's 432hz - matches all my shifted instruments
No matter how many times I hear it I turn it up loud. It drives me yet fills me with tearful emotions. Thank you, Doug. I need to grab a tissue.
One of my favourite 80s albums together with Kate Bush's "The Hounds of Love" and "No Sense of Sin" by the Lotus Eaters. Beautiful!
Congrats on popping your TFF cherry on the channel. Once you get through Songs from the Big Chair, PLEASE do Sowing the Seeds of Love. It's the best love letter to the Beatles ever.
It is featured in the movie "Peter's Friends" (1992).
As sound engineer if I had to guess the singer was singing either flat or sharp, more likely flat and the song was slowed down to match their pitch. 😊
Neil Taylor played the guitar solo outro. He has a video on youtube discussing it. Incredible solo.
Love your vids Doug!
This is the only British pop band from the 80s that I liked enough to buy their music. 🤘🏻
Absolutely love TFF. Their music is about as intricate and musically complex as pop gets, especially on Seeds of Love. The Working Hour from Big Chair is definitely also worth a deep dive.
I didn't think much of these T4F tunes back in the day when they were new, but now, they are major go-to selections, including karaoke picks back when I was still doing that.
The vocal styling was so organic for me and my mimickry, I could maintain authenticity to the original very comfortably... hmm, maybe that's how my appreciation for the songs grew? Haha.
One of the most underated guitar solos 5:15
Certainly under appreciated by DD. He glossed right over it as he tends to do with all guitar solos. They hold all the appeal of a sunrise to a blind man.
You should see the music video instead. Then you had have the Vision. Good Reaction Doug.
I would love to hear Doug review one of their later songs, Break It Down Again, because of the huge difference in style from this original one
❤
Working Hour is another great song from these album
That is THE most 1985-sounding song ever.
...and that was considered pop music in the 80's. What a time it was.
Songs from the Big Chair is a great album. HOWEVER, the follow-up, The Seeds of Love, is a classic. You may want to give it a listen. Again, just my opinion. Great job as always Doug.
Head Over Heels, Mad World, and, Shout are up there as some of my favourite songs of that era.
I got my Metal Makes Monday’s Better hoodie. Loving it!
My favorite song from this album is Mother’s Talk
The Warning need to be covered by this channel...3 sisters from Mexico. Dust to Dust Live!
I was born in the late 70's and this song reminds me of playing out during the summer holidays more than any other song. I get a massive hit of nostalgia for that time whenever it kicks in.
Do you know I'm so glad you confirmed it was between keys.. I love playing it but it would always bug the hell out of me that it seemed out of step with standard tuning. Now I know it is.. 😂 I agree with Manhatten.. it['s a fine album and worth popping on your whole album listen list. They've dished up a few interesting songs of note, prior to this album being the (very new wave vs guitar rock/pop) single "Mad World" which would go on to become a cover for Gary Jules which, I believe, made a notable appearance in the form of that cover in the movie DONNIE DARKO.
I wonder if the original recording was either sped up or slowed down, making the song slightly sharp or flat
Doug, I love it that you called it your musical education. I feel the same way about my own musical journey. I can still remember making my first mix tape with Beethoven, Mozart and Chikofsky when I was 10. Starting there allowed me to really become eclectic in my music appreciation. So when I hit high school and everyone was stuck on top 40 radio, I was playing the epic sounds of the last 50 years and collection the best of the B sides and unknown songs that took the house party game to the next level. I d9nt know where I'd be without a well rounded taste in music based in classical symphony and the deeper cuts that truly show off the talent of the greats.
yeah, you need to do a whole-album react to this one.
Love it. One of the best Pop-Songs of the 80's.
I loved this song's use in the movie Real Genius.
Doug, I think you’d love breaking down “Woman in Chains.” So many rich layers to that song.
There is a relatively small subset of "pop" music that I can even tolerate for long, so the fact that this band has so much good material is really saying something! I strongly recommend checking out some of their lesser known works. The albums "The Seeds Of Love" and "Elemental" both have outstanding cuts that never got any radio play.
Great band live as well.... I would love to see them again...
Love seeing your mind work as the song plays. It is fucking fascinating.
In my opinion, the best produced album of the 80s. I really don't know what you could do to make it sound better.
Your enthusiasm is addictive
Tears For Fears are the best "sophisticated" pop band since the Beatles. Let me clarify for I get the slings and arrows. The Beatles and TFF were so clever in their musical compositions by making very sophisticated pop songs without them sounding that way. TFF are among the bands I've listened to the most in my life, especially the "Sowing the Seeds of Love" album. I believe it took 3 years to make with lots of drama, ups and downs and a desire for perfection. The result was close to perfection. The recording is stellar, musically and lyrically so strong and moving. Sowing the Seeds of Love is among Steven Wilsons most beloved albums and even did a complete 5.1 and stereo remixing (not to be confused with remastering which generally compresses dynamic range and just ups the volume) and that's high praise don't you think? Getting back to the Beatles connection, listen to the title track to see what I'm talking about.
I HIGHLY recommend a masterpiece Friday featuring the entire Sowing the Seeds of Love album. Doug, I kid you not it will bring you joy in so many ways, this music is perfectly suited for your tastes. Please consider it OR just react to "Woman in Chains".... Doug, the song & lyrics will move you and you'll be blown away by the voice of Oleta Adams. Not hearing this song or the album will deprive you of experiencing one of the most sophisticated, beautifully composed pop albums ever written & recorded.
TFF is a deep Rabbit Hole with loads of great songs, not only on their popular albums, but also on overlooked ones like their Beatlesesque spudding "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" and their new album in 2023 (and first in 17 years), The Tipping Point.
Also, they're fabulous in Concert, saw them 4 times.
I love this track
You should check out soon 1989's "Sowing The Seeds Of Love", very Beatles influenced and the album version is overall amazing!
Such an underrated cut. What makes the song unique is that on first listen, you hear the bass and drums. However on the studio cut, that is a synth bass and programmed drums. They sound absolutely astounding, especially that synth bass. Yes they were both used a lot in the 80's, but nothing even remotely close to this. They sound so crisp and the headroom is perfect.
So one of the rarities in the industry happens during the first chorus. A single instrument which doubles the melody (keyboard). It is so ballsy, but adds to the simplicity of the track. You do have to listen to it a few times to hear it. As it is buried in the mix.
The second chorus uses a syncopated guitar to complement the keyboards. Which adds even more depth, as it moves to the bridge.
Another rarity is the use of the bridge. The first of which you hear is the vocal bridge (There's a room..). The guitar becomes more pronounced and the vocal harmonies begin for the first time. After which there is an instrumental bridge. What is awesome about using both bridges, is that it gives so much space for the instruments and song to breathe. Nothing is rushed and nothing is out of place. Yet the melodic river simply flows ever so serene.
This is one of those cuts where you cannot add another note, tinker with the melody, etc. The hook practically plays itself. This song because of most of the above, sets itself apart from a lot of the music of the era.
My take on this anyway.
Such a classic song and poetic really kinda in that it’s still very much relevant today in the world. Curt Smith can still sing pretty much like he did back when that song was first released too.
The in-between key is probably due to speeding up, or slowing down of the master tape. Which was done at the time to tweak the tempo.
You gotta do something from the mars volta. Deloused is an amazing album
One of my favorite songs, and that's coming from a metal and prog nerd.
By the way, I HIGHLY recommend the drum cover by El Estepario Siberiano. It's delightful.
This song instantly makes me think of Real Genius and everyone munching on the popcorn that ruined that beautiful house 😂
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Hi Doug. Love the channel. It was standard practice in the days of analog that singles would be sped up in the final stages of mastering to "brighten and make louder' when it was played on radio. so, often songs would be between keys on the single mixes. This might have been the very end of this way of thinking, not sure, just a guess based on past practices. Take care, be well.
This song just puts me in such a good mood :)
PERFECT ALBUM thank you very much I love
The line, "So glad we’ve almost made it, So sad they had to fade it" is a reference to fact that their label made them fade out the end of "Shout" to make the song shorter for radio.
Melancholy is the word that comes to mind for me.
Within the first 5 seconds of this classic i'm transported back to being a 10 year old kid, along with my kid brothers on our Summer holidays, camping. This was always on the radio back then 👍
15 years old (10th Grade) in my experience. SO nostalgic.