shout (audiodile's heels overhead mix)

mixed by audiodile

"Shout" is a song originally written by Roland Orzabal and Ian Stanley of the British band Tears for Fears. It was the band's eighth single release (the second taken from their sophomore LP Songs from the Big Chair) and sixth UK Top 25 chart hit, peaking at #4 in January 1985. In the USA, it reached #1 on August 3, 1985 and remained there for three weeks. A bonafide smash hit, "Shout" would become one of the most successful pop songs of 1985, eventually reaching the Top Ten in 25 countries.

background...

While Tears for Fears' previous single "Mothers Talk" had showcased a new, more extroverted songwriting style, "Shout" was an unexpected synth-rock anthem, complete with power chords, heavy percussion, and female backing vocals. The song even features a lengthy guitar solo, something previously unheard of in Tears for Fears' music.

Roland Orzabal handles the lead vocal on the song, with both he and Curt Smith singing the chorus.

The song was written in my front room on just a small synthesizer and a drum machine. Initially I only had the chorus, which was very repetitive, like a mantra. I played it to Ian Stanley, our keyboardist, and Chris Hughes, the producer. I saw it as a good album track, but they were convinced it would be a hit around the world.

—Roland Orzabal

We were halfway through recording 'Mothers Talk' when Roland first played us a rough version of a new song he'd been working on. It was then very slow and very simple. I remember saying "this is so simple it should take about five minutes to record." Weeks later... We were halfway through recording 'Shout' when Roland had a birthday party. That evening I asked the four of them separately if they had any thoughts about sleeve notes for the record. Roland said "White text on black paper and say something about arguably the best offering yet." Curt said "You're probably the best person to make up some off the wall irrelevant drivel." Ian said "I don't like them, I'm not interested." Manny said "Did you know I used to play drums for 'Rocky Ricketts and The Jet Pilots of Jive?"

—Chris Hughes, from the "Shout" single sleeve notes

versions...

"Shout" is by far the most abundantly remixed song in the Tears for Fears catalog, with at least fifteen different versions of it having been officially released under the band's name.

As was commonplace during the 1980's, the original 12" vinyl single release featured an extended remix of the song. Three remixes by collaborators Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero later appeared on American releases of the single, including dub and a cappella versions. More recently, remixes have been done by notable DJs such as Jakatta, Fergie, Skylark and Beatchuggers.

In addition to the twelve-inch mixes, "Shout" also appeared in three different 7" versions. The original single mix released in the UK and much of the rest of the world clocks in at 5:53 and is the closest match to the version that appeared as the lead track on the Songs from the Big Chair LP. The version released in Germany and Japan is 4:51 in length and fades out during the guitar solo. Meanwhile, the final version released in America is specifically tailored for radio play at a concise 3:59 in length, featuring edits to the chorus and instrumental sections.

This text is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Shout".

shout

songs from the big chair

shout: the very best of tears for fears

the hurting