Start Of The Breakdown

Album: The Hurting (1983)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track from Tears For Fears' debut album was influenced by band member Roland Orzabal's childhood, particularly the illness that left his father semi-bedridden. He explained in the liner notes for the album's 1999 re-release: "It was a reference to my father, who had a nervous breakdown. 'Dry skin flakes when there's ice in the veins…' He had arterial sclerosis, and breakdown is the nervous breakdown. At the time there were certain bands that allowed you to be that morbid, and they were cool bands – people like Joy Division – who really glorified that kind of pain and suicidal instincts."
  • Orzabal grew up amid domestic violence, watching his father abuse his mother. His mother eventually left and raised Orzabal and his two brothers on her own.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.