Video hit Tears For Fears

Tears For Fears - Shout

Shout is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and Ian Stanley and sung by Orzabal (with Curt Smith duetting on the chorus), it was the band's 8th single release (the second taken from their 2nd LP Songs from the Big Chair) and 6th UK Top 40 hit, peaking at #4 in January 1985. In the USA, it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 3 August 1985 and remained there for 3 weeks.
"Shout" would become one of the most successful pop songs of 1985, eventually reaching the Top Ten in 25 countries.

"Shout" is regarded as one of the most recognizable songs from the mid-eighties and is also recognized as the group's signature song.

“A lot of people think that 'Shout' is just another song about primal scream theory, continuing the themes of the first album. It is actually more concerned with political protest. It came out in 1984 when a lot of people were still worried about the aftermath of The Cold War and it was basically an encouragement to protest” —Roland Orzabal.

“It concerns protest inasmuch as it encourages people not to do things without actually questioning them. People act without thinking because that's just the way things go in society. So it's a general song, about the way the public accepts any old grief which is thrown at them” —Curt Smith.

Song 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 1980s, the original 12-inch 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. It was also remixed in the video game DJ Hero, where the song was mixed with Pjanoo.

In addition to the twelve-inch mixes, "Shout" also appeared in three different 7-inch versions. The original single version released in the UK and much of the rest of the world clocks in at 5:53 and is the same mix of the song found on the Songs from the Big Chair LP, albeit in an edited form. 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.

The song was also covered by the American heavy metal band Disturbed on their 2000 album entitled The Sickness with the song being shortened to 4 minutes and 7 seconds from the over 5 minute version of the original. The cover is known as "Shout 2000".

Norwegian soul jazz performer Jarle Bernhoft covered "Shout" for his 2011 studio album Solidarity Breaks. The song is also commonly featured in the artist's live sets.

American horrorcore group Insane Clown Posse also covered the song on their album The Mighty Death Pop! in 2012.

The Canadian rock band Big Wreck plays this song live on their 2012-13 tour dates in support of their album Albatross (Big Wreck album).

The lyrics:

Shout, shout, let it all out

These are the things I can do without

Come on - I'm talking to you

Come on

In violent times, you shouldn't have to sell your soul

In black and white, they really, really ought to know

Those one-track minds that took you for a working boy

Kiss them goodbye - you shouldn't have to jump for joy

You shouldn't have to jump for joy

Shout, shout, let it all out

These are the things I can do without

Come on - I'm talking to you

Come on

They gave you life, and in return you gave them Hell

As cold as ice - I hope we live to tell the tale

I hope we live to tell the tale

Shout, shout, let it all out

These are the things I can do without

Come on - I'm talking to you

Come on

And when you've taken down your guard

If I could change your mind I'd really like to break your heart

I'd really like to break your heart

Shout, shout, let it all out

These are the things I can do without

Come on - I'm talking to you

Come on