THE SONGS
1 SHOUT
Shout
was one of the first songs started for the album and one of the last to be completed given the complexity of the finished track and its many layers.
Beginning as a simple drum machine pattern with a synth line and the mantralike “Shout, shout, let it all out” vocal hook, Orzabal arrived at the studio on a Monday morning having come up with the outline of the number over the weekend.
Sparse in structure, Shout reveals itself over a sprawling six-and-a-half minutes in which the song’s repetitive lyric is compounded by a cacophony of crashing drums, synthesized flute and keyboard licks, which help the track build as it progresses.
Although it was perceived to be a continuation of Tears For Fears’ fascination with primal scream theory, Orzabal has said it was actually inspired by the Cold War and was intended to encourage people to protest and stand up for their beliefs – a universal message which helped Shout become an international smash. It was Tears For Fears’ sixth UK Top 40 hit, peaking at No.4. In the US, it reached No.1 and stayed there for three weeks.