Currently listening to...

...the epic "Swords and Knives" by Tears For Fears. I just can't get this song out of my head. Ever since I went on a little Tears For Fears kick a few months ago (here), their music has been swirling around in my head. And the texture, movement, and gravitas of this song is rich and heavy.

A waking world of innocence
So grave those first born cries
When life begins with needles and pins
It ends with swords and knives

Oh dangerman, oh dangerman
Your blade fits like a glove
When forged in steel time cannot heal
That blood red bond of love

In times of trouble you're an open book
With the change in the way you look
And it's sad love's not enough to make things better

Turn the tables, we'll burn the fables
Lies beneath the visions and daydreams
Fooled by now, we mystify the past
Like a dream, like it never happened

When life begins with needles and pins
It ends with swords and knives
God save those born to die

https://tearsforfears.com/

Currently listening to...

...a Tears For Fears (previously here) nostalgia moment. While I love their debut release "The Hurting," their sophomore album "Songs From The Big Chair" (recorded in 1984, released in 1985) was really a stunning achievement, with all of the urgent emotion and poignant depth of "The Hurting" but with a truly epic sound which gave the emotional life of the project even more importance...and they continued to explore beautiful and innovative electronic sounds and textures.

Here is "Shout." You may have heard this song a thousand times, but listen again with fresh ears...and the lyrics will help. Because I'd really love 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
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
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without

Come on
I'm talking to you, come on

Shout, shout, let it all out (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 love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart

Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
(Break your heart)
Come on
(Really love to break your heart)
I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you so come on

"The Working Hour" packs quite a musical punch... 

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

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

This is another song you've probably heard a thousand times, but it really stands up. "Welcome to your life / There's no turning back" 

Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on mother nature
Everybody wants to rule the world

It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the
Most of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

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

So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world

I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world

Say that you'll never, never, never, never need it
One headline, why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world

All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

And then we come to this masterpiece. If "Head Over Heels" catches me with my guard down, it can literally make me weep...  

I wanted to be with you alone
And talk about the weather
But traditions I can trace against the child in your face
Won't escape my attention

You keep your distance via the system of touch
And gentle persuasion
I'm lost in admiration, could I need you this much?
Oh, you're wasting my time
You're just, just, just wasting time

Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out until I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't, don't throw it away
Throw it away, throw it away

I made a fire, and watching it burn
Thought of your future
With one foot in the past, now just how long will it last?
Now, now, now, have you no ambitions?

My mother and my brothers used to breathing clean air
And dreaming I'm a doctor
It's hard to be a man when there's a gun in your hand
Oh, I feel so

Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out until I'm head over heels
Something happens and I'm head over heels
Ah, don't take my heart, don't break my heart
Don't, don't, don't throw it away

And this is my four leaf clover
I'm on the line, one open mind
This is my four leaf clover
In my mind's eye
One little boy, one little man
Funny how time flies

Yeah, funny how time flies. Blink of an eye.

https://tearsforfears.com/

Currently listening to...

..."Elemental" by Tears For Fears, fronted by one of the best voices in rock, Roland Orzabal.

"This race is already run
Get off your horse, get on this train
Hey-aaaah, hey-aaaaah, ohhhhh

" Welcome to the real world "
I said " Welcome to the real world "
Are we rushing like the wind ?
Naked out and naked in

" Welcome to the free world "
I said " Welcome to the me world "
Are we rushing like the wind ?

Put your lovin' arms around...

Did you lose your faith in God, no ?
Does your conscience always get you down ?
Fall to pieces, rough and tumble
Does your conscience always get you down ?

These days it's all in the mind
It's Elemental
Don't say you're up when you're down
It's Elemental

Put your lovin' arms around...

This is your new year's resolution
Put your lovin'arms around...

Take another leap in the dark
With a humble heart
Do yourself some good
What did you become ?
Patience, be sure
Baby, baby

These days it's all in the mind
It's Elemental
Don't say you're up when you're down
It's Elemental"

http://www.tearsforfears.net/