Tears for Fears - Mr. Pessimist

[mr22pct]

Money

[giffworks]

this is this bands best song ever!

[greenangel257]

I just love this song

[mistacramer]

Two optimists watched this video.

[thedaisy1963]

the piano on this track is so cool; just love it

[rmoorelandersdodge]

@thedaisy1963 so true daisy never get tired of that piano who plays it

[dohertyaaron]

Love TFF. Their 80's classics can not be ignored.

In spite of that, Mr. Pessimist is easily my all-time favorite track.

[johnnycheck99]

they stopped being so good when Smith departed.

[ZephyrShez]

@johnnycheck99 I disagree. While there were indeed many great songs recorded between 83-89 when Curt was in the band, I think there are some songs from the 2 subsequent albums that were just as good.

[vagabondphotos]

I listened to Tears for fears in my teens...and that is now 20 yrs ago....still can't get enough of them. This song is awesome and sexy!

[acoustamaniac]

not a lot of airplay(albumly speaking) is that a word one of my favorites .............. by the way got to see them last year at the casino ballroom in hampton beach crowded like a sardine (no offense to the fish ...........oh boy this day and age ) LOL but 5th time seeing them have every bit of music they have love them listening now

[damespartan117]

Youtube Mix for Tears for Fears 88 vids

another people 30-50

TEARS FOR FEARS RULES!

[marianospinardi]

Simple. I love this song. Excelent musical taste, harmonycs, voices. The piano´s solo on the end of this cut it´s wonderful, like a water´s fall, each note of the descending portion it´s a hit on the soul. Great, great song, it can be compared with , for exemple, "Higer Love", Depeche Mode. Thanxs 4 share it.

[dohertyaaron]

This song is easily my favorite deep cut from TFF.

It's one of those tracks that just flows over you.

[3anaurv2]

@dohertyaaron my tff fav song too

[rhabdoviridae]

Almost 20 years ago I couldn't stop listening to this song. Time seems to repeat itself...

[FedericoSting]

EXCELENT SONG!

These two brothers are just genious!

[karencoleus]

Seriously beautiful voice.

[Multi5141]

cara muito foda tua listagem!

[g0sth4ck3d]

This is always one of my road trip CDs ... I sing along with him as best I can. It's in my top 10 fave cds.

[TsugaruClan]

@g0sth4ck3d Same with me. I like all of TFF's albums, some more than others, of course. But regardless of which ones I name the best in terms of quality and consistency, "Elemental" is one that's been in my player as of late. I can listen to the album on permanent repeat. It feels so cohesive -- interesting how pain and conflict can make for great musical inspiration. It's as cohesive an album as "The Hurting."

[39sixto]

un gran tema del gran Roland y pandilla

[hyoncake]

my favorite TFF album and i never get tired of listening to it. over and over. never. he is wonderful. no man is immortal! oh, and a beautiful piano at the end.

[hyoncake]

my favorite TFF album and i never get tired of listening to it. over and over. never. he is wonderful. no man is immortal!

[peralta2944]

tema maravilloso que me cautivo desde la primera vez que lo oí en Bariloche en una gran Fm que había: melodia96

[FuLuShouXi]

Maybe he is an atheist or maybe not. We will never know because we don't really know him. But, this song doesn't sound like he has much use for God or religion.

[wowbobwow37]

This is one example and a great one, that Roland should have stayed on his own and not given us Everybody Wants A Lame Reunion CD.

[ajittffcure]

@wowbobwow37- 'Everybody Loves..." was not a bad album but the downside was that they tried be like a lot of other bands and singers for some reason. I wonder why? There was no need to sort of trying to sound like bands from the 1960s and 70s.

[vandalounge]

@wowbobwow37 great comment. Bring Back the old Roland (elemental -RTKOS-TSO)!!!

[rockondon]

this albums sooo good i cant find it in my bedroom :0)

[neo634us]

One of favorite songs and favorite groups, a lot groups tried to imitate their sound, not the same, TFF Rocks!!

[thedaisy1963]

being one of no musical talent, i do have a good ear and for years have marvelled at the complexity of his music; many layers with much depth and interest; do other artists do this??

[KungPowMeow]

Not sure what to think of this song. But he's NOT an atheist guys lol. He says he couldn't find true peace w/ God, his past, etc. until getting through Raoul and the Kings of Spain (1995). Up until then he'd been writing about past experiences and all that. Raoul released him and let him go on with his life and write about other things. No, he isn't very religious. But I think I heard someone comment he was interested in Shamanism when he was younger. Hence the weird dance in "Mad World".

[tffforever]

Right on. You are right, he is famous but not huge and it feels more special to "get him". I have also been listening to TFF since 1983 when I bought the single to Shout (remember those?) with I Believe and The Big Chair on the B side. Have been a convert since. Can't think of very few singers/artists that I can listen to over and over and appreciate them more every time. I will see them for the second time during their US tour. It is my birthday gift.

[simonm1991]

Great driving music!

[otwellkl]

@simonm1991 - You're right... It is great driving music.

[funk7000]

Elemental is my favorite Tears For Fears album...I like FUNK music A LOT, so I think that explains why. Elemental was the closest they came to FUNK and Groove music in comparison to all their other album releases.

[jlong4u]

I had a Jehovah's Witness friend who took on a Catholic wife. His pessimistic style reminds me of this song. He should be 'banging a tambourine' but is now washing his hands to feel clean. How ingenious. Is this the artist's idea?

[torifan2]

God I love this song, I haven't heard it in so long! I used to have the cassette tape believe it or not! I'm gona order the CD again man...memories! and good words-the truth of how everyone (who cares anyway) have thought at one time or another, nothing wrong with that

[FuLuShouXi]

somehow I don't think Roland would be bothered with us on here. although if we talk enough about it maybe he will actually come on here and clear things up-lol.

[FuLuShouXi]

Is it because of his father meaning his parents weren't religious so usually your kids are the same. Or his father was a sob and devout Catholic and can't separate two. I love this song because I am an atheist and don't know what to believe anymore.

[hucster20]

that's true, i've heard of that. so if it's because of his father, why blame religion as a whole? it's a way for him to release stress, i guess, i don't know.

[StievStigma]

I honestly don't understand why even the slightest mention of anything outside the spiritual norm sparks speculation over whether or not he's atheist. Are people not suppose to question existence and reality? Are we not all in a strange place called life, trying to figure out what the hell is going on? Questions move life forward. Absence of questions makes life stagnant and dull. Music is my only religion...it asks nothing in return.

[Heralde8]

@StievStigma I agree. I'm Catholic, but the moment you stop questioning is the moment you've stopped thinking.

[jacbrest]

1des chansons de ce groupe que j apprecie.......

[Markipelago]

Of all the new wave you'll be hard pressed to beat Tears for Fears as far as I'm concerned. Melodically and rhythmically their songs are as good as it gets. I don't even care what the message behind the lyrics is - it just SOUNDS good...

[gypsy80907]

Roland is not a religious man and this is'nt his only song where he alludes to that. I think this song is beautiful. Ocasionally I'll fastforward past one of his other songs but never this one ~

[tautogg]

How deau u kneauww this....

[gypsy80907]

Lyrics Roland had written in many songs as well as his problems growing up. Many of his comments in different interviews he has mentioned his doubts. It really does'nt matter. Hes a lovely composer ~

[debray05]

Roland is NOT religious, but he is very spiritual, hence the song "All of the Angels" I think it's from the Tomcats. Also, King of Karma and The Love of Cain..He is also NOT an athiest, he believes in an afterlife(heard him in an interview) And if you think "God's mistake "is a crack on religion, it's not....It's a crack on relationships!

[FuLuShouXi]

@debray05 he can be an atheist, being an atheist has nothing to do with believing or not believing in an afterlife. An atheist denies the existence of god, an existentialist believe in nothing. So he can be an atheist and still believe in an afterlife somewhere if he wants to.

[hucster20]

i'm religious and i agree this is an attack on religion, but i'll just forgive Roland and listen to the song anyway, because i find that there can be atheist pessimists as well. since they choose logic over the human heart at times, not all... that's my opinion.

[hucster20]

i just replace all the religious references with atheist ones, hahaha, whatever.

[jamesbrennand]

But you know that replacing with atheist references makes the song lose its meaning. Pessimism makes part of all judeo-christian religions, which is exactly the kind of religion he's criticizing.

[gypsy80907]

This song is supposed to be about Curt after the break -up.......

[FuLuShouXi]

I also think there is a bit of elitism and attack on religion in a way. Religious people are happy-go-lucky and not realistic, and clean of mind and pure of thought. Yet at the end he says Mr. Pessimister has catholic taste so I don't think that is him, but who knows. Just my take on it.

[TheWolfMan1941]

Actually, it sounds like he's talking about a neurotic/pathological perfectionist. Someone who spends way too much time thinking about the faults of mankind and what he can do to save us from ourselves. Yet, in some parts, he hints at the fact that this perfectionist may be the one in need of saving.

[hucster20]

cool way at looking at it, very nice.

[TheWolfMan1941]

Thank you.

[TheWolfMan1941]

Thank you. I pretty much got it because I am Mr. Pessimist.

[GraceJones69]

Can any1 help with this line: "will it heat, stick, and blister"? What does it mean? Thanx a lot.

[gypsy80907]

The lyric is Well the cynical flame,will it heat,stick and blister? With Roland his lyrics and often in his songs there are many different meanings. This song is rumored to be about Curt.

[80sfan1]

Of songs about Curt on this album, for some reason fish out of water seems like it for me. But i don't know!

[TheWolfMan1941]

Will your cynicism hurt (burn) those around you to the point where they don't want to be around you. It's about chasing away everyone with bitterness and cynical, pessimissitc attitudes.

[caro3110]

Love that piano from 5:07 til the end of the song... thank you Roland.

[SPTSuperSprinter156]

I get the feeling that from the lyrics in here and from some of his other songs that Roland is kind of antireligion... and that makes me like him all the more.

[FuLuShouXi]

I thought all Americans were Super Religious. I like him too, but he is in Europe and I think they are less religious except Italy and Ireland. I know he is cute, but I think he he might be troubled and I try to avoid troubled men. for my own sanity.. Mr. Pessimister with your Catholic taste-lol.

[SPTSuperSprinter156]

Lol, troubled he may be, but his lyrics are fantastic... take Sorry for instance - 'What's the matter with your life, did someone come and shoot your life, just as you planned?' - Classic

I think to a certain degree we're all troubled, we just probably see this more with Roland because he is an artist...

[hucster20]

right, exactly... but Roland, unlike all other artists he acknowledged and confronted his problems instead of avoiding them... because you can always avoid other people's problems but not your own. long live Tears for Fears what a soothing band to listen to.

[Flowerbeddy]

Roland had been listening to 'Talk Talk's Colour Of Spring', I reckons!!!!

[SPTSuperSprinter156]

Bloody good point!

[fatalfunk]

YES IS TRUE ! I Like Talk Talk & Tears for fears -Hi Flowerbeddy

[fab4fl]

Great rhythm on this tune. Great piano. Great Roland.

[caitlinniamh]

Roland has an amazing voice and an incredible ability to write music. His lyrics are poetical,philosophical, spiritualand even magical. I hope he continues to create beautiful music and lyrics for the rest of his days.

[thedaisy1963]

can't think of any other musician i can play over and over ... going on 30 years ... and never get tired of it, considering i have great ! musical taste, that is an incredibly high bar (:

[1690squire]

@thedaisy1963 i think you caught just why i like this band so much, probably about 8 when i first heard them in the charts.am now 37 and never ever tire of listening to this music. i think this is one of rolands best tunes ever, a quality almum as well

[hyoncake]

@thedaisy1963 i also have a high bar and agree with you on everything you said!

[BeyondDreamTime]

@thedaisy1963 Not even Mark Hollis or David Sylvian? Sorry, I glanced at your comment and had that immediate response. Oh, sh...! I'll be scampering off in a great hurry now, before you'll have my head... on a platter? Now, Judith, mind your manners! :) More names and I'd be slaughtered . :)

(I know that musical preferences are so personal you can't even share them with your underwear.)

Raoul-Roland is a (multi-) national treasure, no doubt. I hope this placates you too, Andrew. Cheers. :)

[3anaurv2]

@thedaisy1963 i love psb too that are getting old but they still do great music and a new album is coming in 2012 !

[mirzamarco]

Il basso (probabilmente fretless) di Guy Pratt è allucinante..!

[zlat76]

@mirzamarco vero! fantastico...

[mcgiddin]

Top notch song writing and musical arrangement. Truly one of the best songs out there. Myself I rate this song at the top along with Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb.

[thesunandtherain]

This is truly a beautiful arrangment. One of my favorites..........

[jq2003go]

among the best songs.

The piano encore or solo at the end mixed with the synth rithm is so brilliant !!!

Only a musical genious could have done it.

[Al3x76]

Non suono ma mi piace la bella musica. Non a caso credo di non avere un genere musicale che prediligo in particolare; la musica mi deve emozionare e basta. E quella di Mr Orzabal, ne è capace :)

E cmq in Tomcats, Orzabal mi sorprende per la coraggiosa scelta di pubblicare un disco 'atipico' rispetto al suo predecessore RATKOS.

Evidentemente la precedente esperienza di produzione musicale ( Emiliana Torrini in primis ) lo avrà aperto a nuove contaminazioni sonore. Con ottimi risultati!

[Al3x76]

Curioso di sapere la differenza tra 'musico' e 'musicante'...poi magari dopo ti dirò la mia :)

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

Vediamo....Il musico è colui ke cerca di creare musica propria, e dentro di se si sente musicista ma non trova, all'esterno, i riscontri dovuti x potersi definire tale! Il musicante è colui ke si arrangia suonando dal vivo, x lo più cover nelle sagre paesane in piazza, eseguendo brani spesso terrificanti!! Io rientro in entrambe le categorie!! Dai tuoi commenti sembri uno che ascolta la musica da musicista-musico-musicante, nel caso ti auguro la prima delle tre definizioni!! ;))

[SparklyMusicGoddess]

Terrific is positively true! He's in his element on this one, isn't he?

Roland IS the sound of "thunder and rain" in a human voice. This one is very stirring...love it.

[Al3x76]

Pur essendo una produzione ' vecchia ' 16 anni, il disco suona ancora molto attuale.

Della musica di Orzabal adoro soprattutto la cura maniacale della ricerca del miglior suono, gli arrangiamenti e, non x ultima, la sua voce che è un qualcosa di spettacolare!

Anche il disco prodotto a suo nome, il poco reclamizzato Tomcats screaming outside, mi piace tantissimo!

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

Ma sei un "musico" o "musicante" anche tu? Ancora una volta mi trovi totalmente d'accordo e usi una frase che ripeto da quasi due decenni ai miei amici musicanti, e cioè la "cura maniacale di Orzabal negli arrangiamenti e nella scelta dei suoni"!

Anche a me fa impazzire il suo disco da solista, x quanto ci sia la utile collaborazione di mr. Alan Griffiths!

Malgrado i suoi 48 anni ha ancora una voce incredibile e una varietà di timbri e colori senza eguali....

Con stima

Francesco

[Al3x76]

@BASS71CAGLIARI:

Grazie caro!

Bello comunicare in inglese assieme ad un italiano.

From Napoli :))))

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

@Al3x76

Ah ah! Hai ragione, è una cosa quanto meno curiosa!

La sostanza non cambia, il tuo post era perfetto!

Un salutone from Cagliari!! ;))

[Al3x76]

Great song! Elemental amazing album! Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana great voice, great production. It's a genious!

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

@Al3x76

Perfect post!! Totally agree with you!

Respect

[Mastersheer]

T4F= Roland = Excellence

[suzuki27031987]

great tears for fears......the best group.......¡

[thesunandtherain]

I agree with the last 2 posts,this is one of my favorite songs and I too am a huge Roland fan.For me hes the most talented and gorgeous man on the planet!

[vigilceo]

Lol! You have great taste thesunandtherain, I couldn't have said this better myself!! This is one of my favorite songs of all time.

[thesunandtherain]

Roland has a beautiful voice, this is a sexy song.Then look at him,its all magic!! ~

[andrewattsup]

Nobody but nobody's like Roland. Sensual, solid, soulful. He has a huge fan base but I'm glad he never became enormously famous (once they split up) and wore himself out!! It would have ruined him. Sure do wish all of his singles video's from Elemental, Raoul & TSO would be released on DVD. What a superb collection that would make for us fans.

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

Hi andrewattsup, perfect post! Especially the first part, i've always thought Roland is a real musician also because he never made compromises, after the big success he's prefered to produce his album, recorded often on his studio on his place(Neptune's kitchen!) making real music, unfortunately for the "huge fan base", one masterpiece every 5-6 years!!

I'm a "little"musician, but if i could choose i'd like to be like him than many others much more famous but slave to major labels!

[melissastrawbridge]

I wholeheartedly agree :D :D

[BASS71CAGLIARI]

Masterpiece! Roland is still the best pop singer in the world! The arrangments on this song are incredible and very original, listen what it happens from 3:39!

Thanks Roland!!!!!

[paulkazjack]

@BASS71CAGLIARI You can hear those angry guitars just waiting to be unleashed !

[06mets]

gotta love that odd mode piano riff at 5:00!! I've tried to steal it, but to no avail...thanks, Roland!!

[SPTSuperSprinter156]

I agree.

[cgnavyseal]

This was an still is one of the best. I agree with endurance38. I actually use to paly this song back in the early 90's while driving my black porche with the top out up skyline drive in DC/VA an of course with a sexy lady next to me

[06mets]

Good use of a good tune!

[testcardgirl26]

Ohh since I was 15 this was one of my fav songs from that album..I still have it, and I still love it! =)

[thesunandtherain]

I adore this song but the music sounds rather romantic like a love song which it is not.

[gipsy80907]

Its beautiful enough to be!

[endurance38]

Sounds like something out of Miami Vice when Tubbs and Crockett are on their way to bust the drug dealers in that black Ferrari at night with the top down, while the camera rolls around the side of the car toshow the it's twirling spoked Ferrari rims with the yellow and black symbol Ferrari horse.

[endurance38]

Sounds like something out of Miami Vice when Tubbs and Crockett are on their way to bust the drug dealers in that black Ferrari and night with the top down, while the camera rolls around the side of the car to twirling it's spoked Ferrari rims with the yellow and black symbol Ferrari horse.

[FuLuShouXi]

I am not sure if this is completely about Curt. I think maybe he also taking a stab at religion. "Evangelistic brother should be banging a tamborine." I don't know, just saying. and then "Mr. Pessimister with your Catholic taste.'

[mr4768]

OMG, I cannot say enough about this song - the chills it gives me, the way it makes me feel!!! Roland is AMAZING!!! Here's to ALL the TFF & Orzabal fans out there - I feel like we are a "family" unto ourselves, with exceptionally great taste in music!!! :)

[endurance38]

I remember when a friend I use to know in colorado put this on and he he said you'll never guess who this is, and I said who. And after he told me my mouth was on the ground how funky and smooth that it sounded.

[RJODLQ]

I am definitely part of your family :-)

[namokab71]

I understand exactly what you mean. Great that you put it in words, mr4768. Not many people around us can see it, but we do. It's like our secret world.

[thedaisy1963]

totally agree ... seems a certain type of 'evolved' individual really gets this music, very complex, total package

[rcrocha]

My favourite TFF album as well. One of my favourite songs.

I've always suspected this song was about Curt. Am I right in this assumption?

[aliciabrissou]

man, what would be the world without Roland...

i cant even imagine that

[RJODLQ]

Not a good place for sure!

[cinnamonaah00]

...very haunting.....this song has a special place in my memory, this song kinda provided me with comfort when my girlfriend broke up with me & i was in a terrible grief.....TFF was very underrated, Roland Orzabal where r u ?

[jenellmcdaniel]

the chords on here are soooooooooo .. i can't explain.. the whole arrangement is like whoa

[jgrant1022]

Great song. Thanks for posting.

The piano lick at the end is the best. Roland can write some great music.

[brchris69]

I don't know why I just looked for this. I friggin love this song so much.

[mitsutube68]

This song is just awesome. Im hooked.  beautiful.

[forseoizangi]

great

[hyoncake]

i had a one night stand with an absolutely hot guy and he wanted to hear this song. so anytime i hear this song i think of him. ahhh nice memory and a kick ass song anyway. sometimes, i put my cd player on repeat and listen to it over and over! ha!

[grayz10]

This song is simply a masterpiece both musically and lyrically!!

[mortimerbraxis]

Pessi-mist-er pessimister = Spanish 'pesimista' (= 'pessimistic' or 'pessimist').

[211428]

thank you samell its one my favorite music

[cowheel]

thnx again...love this Song!!!!!!!!!!

[cowheel]

this is absolutley awesome. I swear, TFF has been my favorite group going on 25+ yrs now. (Led Zep is running close 2nd). Still remember first time i heard them in the summer of '84. Still have the 45 record somewhere.

[debray05]

This is my fav TFF album!! Where has Roland Orzabald been all these years? Humanity needs his music now more than ever!!!! Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!

[mortimerbraxis]

Orzabal.

[brchris69]

My fav TFF album by far!

[rhabdoviridae]

One of the true jewels of Elemental. While not my all-time favorite from Tears for Fears, it is without a doubt in my top three. Straight to favorites.

[tomyorke26]

I've Added this amazing song to my fav.

TFF Rules the World.

[jamesbrennand]

Peraí, você é brasileiro? Nossa, não quer ser meu amigo não? ;)

[jamesbrennand]

My favorite TFF's song =)

[kittiebaby4]

thank you so much for this. love the "live 1993"but if you're trying to have someone hear this its hard to do.(unless you already know it,and of course we do) many,many thanks! one of the best from Elemental. Aren't they all though?

[danayaa]

thanks! genious song! TFF-forever

[dzynr8]

Thank you, thank you!! I have been wanting this song on here and you totally made my day.

This is an amazing song - the words "what makes a man so fickle...". TFF is one of my favs of all time. (my 3 year old sings and plays his plastic guitar to Shout!)

[samello555]

You're Welcome! ;)