Roland Orzabal

Born: 1961-08-22

Roland Orzabal (born 22 August 1961) is a British musician, songwriter and record producer. He is known mainly as a co-founding member of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint vocalist, but he has also achieved success as a producer of other artists. In 2014, Orzabal published his first novel. Orzabal met Curt Smith while both were in their early teens in Bath, Somerset. In the late-1970s, they formed a mod music group, Graduate, along with three other members. Following the release of their debut album, Acting My Age, the group disbanded and Orzabal and Smith went on to form Tears for Fears, a new wave/synthpop outfit directly inspired by the writings of the American psychologist Arthur Janov. After a decade of major international success, Orzabal and Smith had an acrimonious split in the early 1990s. Although Orzabal continued to work as Tears for Fears after he and Smith parted ways, the subsequent TFF albums Elemental (1993) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995) are effectively solo works by him in all but name. Elemental was a success being certified as Gold status in the US and Silver in the UK, while Raoul took a more artistic direction but garnered less chart success. In April 2001 he released his first proper solo album, Tomcats Screaming Outside, under his own name.Orzabal and Smith had reconciled by that point and were working on a new Tears for Fears album together (2004's Everybody Loves a Happy Ending). As a songwriter, Orzabal is a two-time Ivor Novello Award winner. His first award was in 1986 for "Songwriter of the Year" following the huge success of Tears For Fears' second album Songs from the Big Chair for which Orzabal wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks. In addition to co-producing most of Tears for Fears' records, Orzabal also co-produced Oleta Adams' successful album Circle of One (1990), following on from Adams' collaboration on the 1989 Tears for Fears album The Seeds of Love. The album reached No. 1 in the UK and No. 20 in the US, and featured her transatlantic top ten hit "Get Here". Orzabal also co-wrote the lead track "Rhythm of Life" for the album, which was originally intended for The Seeds of Love. As well as playing guitar and singing backing vocals on the track, he also appeared in the song's accompanying promo video. In 1999, Orzabal co-produced the Icelandic singer-songwriter Emiliana Torrini's acclaimed album Love in the Time of Science, along with Tears for Fears associate Alan Griffiths. The pair also wrote two tracks for the album. Orzabal's talents as a songwriter were recognised again after Michael Andrews and Gary Jules recorded the song "Mad World" for the film soundtrack Donnie Darko in 2001.[5] Their version was released as a single in 2003 and became the Christmas number one single in the UK that year, ultimately becoming the year's biggest selling single. The song was originally composed by Orzabal and was Tears for Fears' first hit single in 1982. In 2004, the song won Orzabal his second Ivor Novello Award, as the songwriter of the Best Selling UK Single of 2003.


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Tears for Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film)

as Self
Released: 2024-10-24

Captured during The Tipping Point Tour Part 2 in 2023 and featuring hits including “Everybody...

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Tears For Fears - Scenes from the Big Chair

as Himself
Released: 1985-05-16

Scenes from the Big Chair is a documentary film about the British pop band Tears For Fears....

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Tears For Fears - Going To California

as Self - Rhythm Guitar / Vocals
Released: 1990-01-01

Going To California is a concert performance video by the British pop group Tears For Fears....

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Best Of Night Of The Proms vol. 6

as uncredited
Released: 2013-01-01

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Tears for Fears The Tipping Point

as Roland Orzabal
Released: 2022-02-25

Tears For Fears' new album, The Tipping Point, is available exclusively via the SDE shop on the...

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Tears for Fears: Radio 2 in the Park

as Self
Released: 2023-09-16

Still ruling the world, a majestic, moody headline set from the legendary duo.

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Tears for Fears: In My Mind's Eye

as Self
Released: 1984-11-01

In My Mind's Eye is a concert performance video released by the British group Tears For Fears....

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Tears for Fears: Tears Roll Down - Greatest Hits '82-'92

as Himself
Released: 2003-04-28

"Sowing the Seeds of Love" – 6:19 from The Seeds of Love "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" –...

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Tears for Fears: Secret World

as Himself
Released: 2005-06-18

Live in Paris, 2005 1. Secret World 2. Call Me Mellow 3. Sowing The Seeds Of Love 4. Pale...

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Classic Albums: Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair

as Self
Released: 2020-02-15

A documentary that explores the creation of the seminal, second album by Tears for Fears. Songs...

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Tears for Fears: Rock in Rio

as vocals, guitar
Released: 2017-09-22

01 - Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Lorde version) 02 - Secret World 03 - Sowing the Seeds...

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BBC In Concert: Tears for Fears

as uncredited
Released: 2017-10-26

Tears For Fears recent In Concert appearance at the BBC Radio Theatre. Their set includes Mad...

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Top of the Pops

as Self - Tears for Fears (uncredited)
First aired: 1964-01-01

The biggest stars, the most iconic performances, the most outrageous outfits – it’s Britain’s...

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MTV Video Music Awards

as Self
First aired: 1984-09-14

An annual award ceremony presented by MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.

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The Kenny Everett Television Show

as Self
First aired: 1982-02-25

Sketch comedy show starring Kenny Everett.

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Classic Albums

as Self
First aired: 1997-04-14

A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive...

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