Shout

Album: Songs From the Big Chair (1984)
Charted: 4 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tears for Fears were followers of American psychologist Arthur Janov's school of Primal Therapy. This song was inspired by his primal therapy treatment, which worked by getting people to confront their fears by shouting and screaming. The name of the group came from Janov's book Prisoners Of Pain.
  • This was written by Tears For Fears frontman Roland Orzabal and keyboard player Ian Stanley. In the liner notes to the single, Orzabal explained: "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."
  • This was a huge international hit, especially in the US, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK.
  • Songs From the Big Chair was named after the movie Sybil, in which a girl with 16 personalities retreats to a psychiatrist's chair.
  • John Lennon went through Primal therapy in 1970. Many of the songs he wrote immediately afterward were inspired by his experience in therapy, including God, Mother, and Working Class Hero.
  • The music video for "Shout" features vocalists Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith venting their anger on a gorgeous, isolated cliffside at Durdle Door in Dorset, England.
  • Disturbed did a cover of this song on their 2000 album The Sickness. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matt - Bakersfield, CA

Comments: 14

  • Mae from Im Not Telling YouAre these comments real because a few days ago i just found out about tears for fears bc their like most recognizable song everybody wants to rule the world was playing in my head so i decided to search up their group and now im addicted to them and i play that song and head over heels and sowing the seeds of love on repeat everyday until i found the meaning of the song sowing seeds of love im pretty young to even know what that means like ill just say im not even a teenager yet and i know the meaning of it but yeah ty for this page ik the meaning of these songs now
  • M. Turboffy from Alma Co.Caught TFF at 2018 Fiddlers Green show. Still had pretty good vocal chops. Instrumentally rendered their hit songs well. Played w/ Hall & Oates..
  • Ricardo from Mexico CityIn an interview for Creem Magazine in 1985. This guys said that they got the chords for this song from a song from Talking Heads' Remain in light
  • Marco H from United Kingdom I am a fan of Disturbed and they absolutely nailed it with their cover of this classic. To me it’s as good as or even better than the original
  • Retrobond from Missouri"You gave them love, and in return, they gave you hell"
    I thought this song was about parents taking care of their kids
  • Adriana from Longislandremembermeozabalyourwife
  • Anne from New Jerseyoops, OFCOURSE, Shout is singularly brilliant. As a 14 year old living the life of an adult, that song became MY MANTRA. Playing over and over in my head. So I got shout all of the time to this exquisite powerful music and two brilliant, determined, shouting, unwavering musicians singing, SHOUT, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.
    THANK YOU!
  • Anne from New JerseyWe are so suppressed practically from the womb beginning from toddler-hood. Do this. Don't do that. Be like this not like that. We're told this at home. Outside home. School, work, just pick a place unless you've already lost your mind and found your people. Found your purpose. But it's not as neat as that is it? It's messy, painful. No way out. But there is always a way out. Keep fighting the good fight. Channel 'it' into something that will save you and blow the hum drums heads off. See? No one gets hurt.....too badly!
  • Josh Souvannakasy from Tumwater WaI heard this song before it’s an anthem for anger
  • Thegripester from Wellington, New ZealandShout®, Shout®, Shout® it out,
    These are the stains I can do without,
    Come on - it's new and improved,
    Come on.
  • Budoshi from Sandnessjøen, NorwayAtrocity has done a passable cover on this.. in the album "Werk 70" from 1997
  • Sam from Chicago, Ili uppose this song means to speak out and/or up.
    nobody really does that anymore!
  • Matt from Harlan, KyI just love this song. I love the powerful vocals, addictive bass, and the egyptian style keyboards, and guitar solo.
  • Danielle from Palm Coast, FlI love the beat, i always thought it had to do with anger. But i guess not, very creative got to give props for that i get so tired of hearing the same lyrics over and over. This is different Im so sick of love songs you can only go so far with them.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."