TEARS FOR FEARS - MOTHERS TALK

Released: August 10, 1984

Charted:  UK: #14   US: #27 

"Mothers Talk" is a song released in 1984 as Tears for Fears seventh single. Written by Roland Orzabal and Ian Stanley, and sung by Orzabal, it served as the lead single from their second album "Songs from the Big Chair" (1985). Despite being released six months before the album, it achieved moderate success internationally and became their fifth UK Top 40 chart hit.

Roland Orzabal explained the inspiration behind "Mothers Talk" in a 1985 documentary on the band. He mentioned two primary influences for the song: First, the concept derived from the common warning mothers give to their children about pulling faces, suggesting their expression might become fixed if the wind changes. Second, Orzabal drew inspiration from the anti-nuclear message portrayed in Raymond Briggs' cartoon book titled "When The Wind Blows."

Roland Orzabal reflected on "Mothers Talk" as a precursor to their second album, "Songs From The Big Chair," in which the band intentionally pursued a more commercially accessible sound. Orzabal admitted some initial resistance to this direction but was persuaded by collaborators who aimed for a bold, impactful release. Despite his reservations, Orzabal acknowledged that this period marked the beginning of significant success for Tears for Fears.

"Mothers Talk" was initially written in 1983 and debuted during their late 1983 tour. Roland Orzabal described it as an attempt to emulate the sound of Talking Heads, though the initial studio version produced by Jeremy Green in early 1984 was deemed unsatisfactory by the record company. Chris Hughes, the band's previous producer, was then brought back to re-record the song, which was finally released as a single in August 1984. 

This version of "Mothers Talk" showcased innovative sampling techniques, including strings taken from a Barry Manilow record and drum samples from Simple Minds' "Today I Died Again". The single was promoted with picture disc and colored vinyl editions, marking the first use of such promotional tactics by Phonogram for Tears for Fears. Additionally, various 12" releases offered different remixes of the track, and some 7" singles included a free Tears for Fears window sticker featuring the band's new logo.

Three separate promotional clips were created for "Mothers Talk". The original version, directed by photographer Laurie Lewis, featured a performance in a blue-toned room alongside scenes of scientists studying a young girl. Despite airing on British television, the band quickly disowned this clip due to dissatisfaction. Nigel Dick then directed a replacement video on a limited budget, showcasing the duo in a rural setting, including Curt Smith's own backyard, interspersed with TV footage of news and sports. Both versions were released in the UK and Europe in mid-1984. A third video, directed by Nigel Dick, was later produced for the "US Remix" of the song in early 1986.