Original official music video by Tears for Fears performing their Top-10 hit "Head Over Heels" from the 1985 album "Songs from the Big Chair" (in HD). "Head Over Heels" was the third single released from the album and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was one of the top selling albums of the decade peaking at number 1 in the US, and has been included in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Slant Magazine listed the album at #95 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s". TFF and this song are still referenced in pop culture on TV shows like "Psych", the cult film Donnie Darko, Vampire Diaries, Everybody Hates Chris and the hit TV show Fringe.
I remember when I saw the video for the first time I was disappointed because the audio quality was very poor. So I replaced the original track with a rip from the 45RPM vinyl single and wow what a difference! It truly sounds like the way it should - even better than the CD. (audiophile)
TRIVIA: The album title was derived from the 1976 television film Sybil about a woman with multiple personality disorder who only feels safe when she is sitting in her analyst's "big chair".
More info from TFF fan Kristin G. (Thanks Kristin!):
Song Versions
"Head over Heels" has seen only three official remixes since its release. The 12" version was titled the "Preacher Mix" and is an extended remix of the entire "Broken/Head Over Heels/Broken" medley. The mix was done by producer Chris Hughes and features an unusual spoken word intro in which Roland Orzabal recites lyrics from the song "I Believe" in the style of a preacher. This mix contains the only released studio recording of the "Broken" reprise (the version on the Songs from the Big Chair album is a live recording). The sung vocals from the album version of "Broken" are completely absent, as is the lead guitar line.
The 7" remix was done by David Bascombe and notably ends in a cold stop after the "time flies" lyric, instead of the segue into the reprise of "Broken" found on the album.
There is also a unique radio-only version which was issued on a double A-side single featuring the regular single mix on the other side. This was issued to radio stations for promotion only and has the catalog number IDEDJ 10. The radio mix is noticeably different to the regular single version in that it omits the flanging effects from the drum fill after the second chorus and the closing "time flies" vocals. Whereas the regular single credits the remix to Dave Bascombe, the radio version simply credits Chris Hughes as producer. This version of the single does not include "When In Love With A Blind Man" and has blue coloured injection molded labels."
Song Meaning:
"It is basically a romantic love song and one of the most simple tracks that Tears for Fears have ever recorded. It is a romance song that goes a bit perverse at the end." ~Roland Orzabal
Music Video
"The music video for "Head over Heels", filmed in June 1985, was the fourth Tears for Fears clip directed by famed music video producer Nigel Dick."
Lyrics
"Head Over Heels" by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
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 with a 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 wasting time
Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out till 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 throw it away
I made a fire and watching burn
Thought of your future
With one foot in the past now just how long will it last
No no no have you no ambition
My mother and my brothers used to breathe in clean in air
(Nothing ever changes when you're acting your age)
And dreaming I'm a doctor
(Nothing gets done when you feel like a baby)
It's hard to be a man when there's a gun in your hand
(Nothing ever changes when you're acting your age)
Oh I feel so...
Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out till 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 throw it away
And this my four leaf clover
I'm on the line, one open mind
This is my four leaf clover
La la la la la la la la la la
In my mind's eye
One little boy, one little man
Funny how... time flies
