I Believe

Album: Songs From The Big Chair (1985)
Charted: 23
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Songfacts®:

  • The sleeve notes of the group's 1996 rarities album Saturnine Martial and Lunatic state that this was an homage to the style and work of British singer-songwriter Robert Wyatt. Tears for Fears' Roland Orzabal originally planned to offer the song to Wyatt before the band recorded it themselves. Wyatt's "Sea Song" was covered by the group as the B-side to this single in the UK. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Graham - Huddersfield, England
  • Will Gregory of Goldfrapp played saxophone on this track, as he did on another song on Songs From The Big Chair, "The Working Hour."
  • The introspective ballad finds the narrator taking a hard look at his beliefs, including whether his destiny is created through free will or determined by fate, and challenging the listener to do the same. Orzabal remains cryptic about the song's meaning, but it's one of his favorite tracks on the album. "Very simple, a nice sort of jazz swing to it," he said. "Now, I don't wanna harp on about the lyrics or anything like that, but I think that they are the most potent and powerful lyrics we've ever put onto vinyl."
  • The liner notes specifically state: "Dedicated to Robert Wyatt (If he's Listening)." This is a reference to "Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening" by Wyatt's former band Soft Machine.

Comments: 2

  • Eliseu from Canoas, BrazilOne of the prettiest songs of the album. I have the vinyl, btw.
    Too bad I couldn't find songfacts about the last song of the album, "Listen". It sounds kinda mysterious and has just few lyrics...
  • T. Michels from Venlo, NetherlandsThis song was indeed written with Robert Wyatt in mind. On the lp, under the name of the song it says: To Robert Wyatt, if he's listening.
    Roland Orzabal olso tried at his best to imitate Wyatt's voice on both of the songs. Up to Wyatt-fans to judge it.
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