Sowing the Seeds of Love

Last updated

"Sowing the Seeds of Love"
SowingTheSeedsOfLove.jpg
Single by Tears for Fears
from the album The Seeds of Love
B-side "Tears Roll Down"
Released21 August 1989 (1989-08-21) [1]
Genre
Length
  • 6:19 (album version)
  • 5:48 (single edit)
  • 4:04 (US radio edit)
Label Fontana
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Tears for Fears
  • Dave Bascombe
Tears for Fears singles chronology
"Mothers Talk [US remix]"
(1986)		"Sowing the Seeds of Love"
(1989)		"Woman in Chains"
(1989)
Music video
"Sowing the Seeds of Love" on YouTube

"Sowing the Seeds of Love" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears. It was released in August 1989 as the first single from their third studio album, The Seeds of Love (1989).

Contents

The song was a worldwide hit, topping the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart and reaching the top 10 in Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their fourth and last top 10 hit. It also reached No. 1 on both the Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Cash Box Top 100.

Background

The song's title was inspired by a radio programme that Orzabal had heard at the time about folk song collector Cecil Sharp. One of the songs was called "The Seeds of Love", which Sharp learned from a gardener called Mr. England (reflected in the lyric "Mr. England sowing the seeds of love") [4] in 1903. Sharp overheard John England singing the song, and was inspired to look more deeply into English traditional songs. "The Seeds of Love" was therefore the first song that Sharp collected, and the one that sparked the English folk song revival. [5]

"Sowing the Seeds of Love" incorporates a number of musical styles and recording techniques, with a number of reviewers considering it a pastiche of the Beatles, produced in a tempo and style reminiscent of their late 1960s output, even for the use of a brief trumpet line very similar to the one that can be heard in "Penny Lane". [6] It was written in June 1987, during the week of the UK General Election in which Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party won a third consecutive term in office. The election prompted Roland Orzabal to take an interest in politics, with a special interest in socialism due to Thatcher's attitudes towards the working class. At the time of its release in 1989, he considered this to be the most overtly political song that Tears for Fears had ever recorded. The lyrics refer to Thatcher specifically with the lines: "Politician granny with your high ideals, have you no idea how the majority feels?" [7] [8] (Mrs Thatcher that year having had her first grandchild born.) [9]

Elsewhere, the song takes a dig at fellow musician Paul Weller with the line "Kick out the style, bring back the jam" as Orzabal felt Weller had lost touch with his working class political outlook after the dissolution of his previous band The Jam in lieu of the less political material he was writing with his current band The Style Council at the time. In the third verse, the lyrics mention a sunflower, which references a piece of graffiti that Orzabal found on a wall near his house in London. [10]

Critical reception

David Giles from Music Week wrote, "They've pulled out all the stops here. There seems to be three or four different songs all competing for prominence, but it's the full-blown rousing chorus that wins through, and don't be surprised to see it hurtling number one-wards." [11]

Stephen Holden of The New York Times thought that the song evoked the "treadmill rhythms, trumpet-laced textures and exhortatory mood of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'" by The Beatles. [6] David Marsh of The Guardian also noted several musical references that evoked the work of The Beatles, including "I Am the Walrus", Penny Lane", and "A Day in the Life". He also highlighted some of the production choices, including the "random shouts, screams and whoops in the background." [12]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Sowing the Seeds of Love" was directed by Jim Blashfield, who had already made acclaimed videos for Joni Mitchell ("Good Friends"), Paul Simon ("The Boy in the Bubble") and Michael Jackson ("Leave Me Alone"). Joanna Priestley directed the "Joan Miró" section of the video for Jim Blashfield and Associates. It was animated with pencil on paper, transferred to punched acetate sheets and painted with Cel Vinyl acrylic paints. [13] The video won two awards at the MTV Music Video Awards: Best Breakthrough Video and Best Special Effects. It was also nominated in the "Best Group Video" and "Best Postmodern Video" categories. [14]

Release

The single was released in August 1989 on multiple formats, including a 7-inch single, a 12-inch single, a 12-inch picture disc, a cassette single, and a CD single. An abridged version of "Sowing the Seeds of Love" was included on the 7-inch single, which was trimmed to 5 minutes and 43 seconds in duration. The 12-inch single included the album version of "Sowing the Seeds of Love" with "Tears Roll Down", a largely instrumental non-album track as the B-side. Orzabal reworked "Tears Roll Down" into "Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)" for the release of the band's Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82–92) compilation album. [15]

In the United States, "Sowing the Seeds of Love" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 53 on the week date 2 September 1989. During its ninth week on the chart, it peaked at No. 2, where it was held back from the number one spot by Janet Jackson's "Miss You Much". [16] As such, the song became the band's highest charting single in the United States since "Shout". [10] It spent 15 weeks in the top 100; all but three of those weeks were spent in the top 40. [17] [18] Orzabal commented that the song's failure to reach number one "gave the American record company an excuse to take their foot off the gas." [15]

"Sowing the Seeds of Love" debuted at No. 9 on the UK singles chart on the week dated 2 September 1989. Two weeks later, it peaked at number five. The song spent a total of nine weeks in the top 75. [19]

Track listings

  1. "Sowing the Seeds of Love" (7-inch version)
  2. "Tears Roll Down"
  1. "Sowing the Seeds of Love" (full version)
  2. "Tears Roll Down"
  3. "Shout" (U.S. remix)

Note: The B-side track "Tears Roll Down" is an early, mostly instrumental version of "Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)", which was released as a single in 1992 and included on the band's greatest hits album of the same name.

Personnel

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tears for Fears</span> English pop rock band

Tears for Fears are an English pop rock band formed in Bath in 1981 by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, Tears for Fears were associated with the synth-pop bands of the 1980s, and attained international chart success as part of the Second British Invasion.

<i>The Seeds of Love</i> 1989 studio album by Tears for Fears

The Seeds of Love is the third studio album by English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on 25 September 1989 by Fontana Records. It retained the band's epic sound while incorporating influences ranging from jazz and soul to Beatlesque pop. Its lengthy production and scrapped recording sessions cost over £1 million. The album spawned the title hit single "Sowing the Seeds of Love", as well as "Woman in Chains", and "Advice for the Young at Heart", both of which reached the top 40 in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wicked Game</span> 1989 single by Chris Isaak

"Wicked Game" is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak, released from his third album, Heart Shaped World (1989). Released as a single in July 1989, it became a sleeper hit after being featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who loved David Lynch films, began playing the song, and it quickly became an American top-10 hit in March 1991, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the single became a number-one hit in Belgium and reached the top 10 in several other nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roland Orzabal</span> English musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer

Roland Jaime Orzábal De La Quintana is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and author. He is the guitarist, co-lead vocalist, main songwriter, co-founder, and the only constant member of Tears for Fears. He is also a producer of artists such as Oleta Adams. In 2014, Orzabal published his first novel, a romantic comedy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever Your Girl (song)</span> 1989 single by Paula Abdul

"Forever Your Girl" is a song by American singer Paula Abdul from her debut studio album, Forever Your Girl (1988). The song was written and produced by Oliver Leiber, with additional production by Keith "K.C." Cohen. Virgin Records released it as the album's fourth single on February 20, 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Wants to Rule the World</span> 1985 single by Tears for Fears

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears from their second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). It was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes and produced by Hughes. It was released on 22 March 1985 by Phonogram, Mercury, and Vertigo Records as the third single from the album. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave and synth-pop song with lyrics that detail the desire humans have for control and power and centre on themes of corruption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shout (Tears for Fears song)</span> 1984 single by Tears for Fears

"Shout" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released as the second single from their second studio album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985), on 23 November 1984. Roland Orzabal is the lead singer on the track, and he described it as "a simple song about protest". The single became the group's fourth top 5 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 4 in January 1985. In the US, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 3 August 1985 and remained there for three weeks; also topping the Cash Box chart. "Shout" became one of the most successful songs of 1985, eventually reaching No. 1 in multiple countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tears for Fears discography</span>

The English new wave/pop rock band Tears for Fears have released seven studio albums, along with numerous singles, compilations and videos. Formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, the duo signed to Phonogram Records in the UK and released their first single the same year. It was not until Tears for Fears' third single, "Mad World" (1982), that they scored their first hit, and their platinum-selling debut album The Hurting (1983) was a UK number one.

<i>Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82–92)</i> 1992 greatest hits album by Tears for Fears

Tears Roll Down is a greatest hits album by the English pop/rock band Tears for Fears. It was released on 2 March 1992 by Fontana Records. Preceded by the single "Laid So Low ", the album contains the band's UK and international top-20 singles. It has been certified double platinum in the United Kingdom, platinum in the United States, and gold in several other countries including Canada, France and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Love (Jody Watley song)</span> 1989 single by Jody Watley

"Real Love" is a song by American singer Jody Watley from her second studio album, Larger Than Life (1989). The single reached the number-one spot on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles and Dance Club Play charts. On the US Billboard Hot 100, "Real Love" peaked at number two for two weeks in May 1989. The song was also nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Female Single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacrifice (Elton John song)</span> 1989 single by Elton John

"Sacrifice" is a song by British musician Elton John, written by John and Bernie Taupin, from John's 22nd studio album, Sleeping with the Past (1989). It was first released in October 1989 as the second single from the album. It achieved success in 1990, particularly in France and the United Kingdom, becoming John's first solo chart-topper in both nations. The song describes how hard it is to stay faithful and devoted in a marriage, challenging the mantra that a successful union requires sacrifice. Due to the song's success, John has played this song in various locations in the years since it was released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head over Heels (Tears for Fears song)</span> 1985 single by Tears for Fears

"Head over Heels" is a song recorded by British band Tears for Fears for their second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). The song was released by Mercury Records, as the album's fourth single on 14 June in the UK. It was the band's tenth single release in the United Kingdom and eighth top 40 hit in the region, peaking at number 12. In the United States, it was the third single from the album and continued the band's run of hits there, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A limited edition four-leaf-clover-shaped picture disc was issued for the single's release in the UK. The song was also an international success, reaching the top 40 in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change (Tears for Fears song)</span> 1983 single by Tears for Fears

"Change" is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, it was the band's fourth single release. It would eventually become the second hit from their debut LP The Hurting (1983) and second UK Top 5 chart hit, following the success of "Mad World". The song also gave Tears for Fears their first charting single in the United States when it cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1983. "Change" was also a big international success, reaching the Top 40 in numerous countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pale Shelter</span> 1982 single by Tears for Fears

"Pale Shelter" is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, it was originally the band's second single release in early 1982. The original version of the song, entitled "Pale Shelter (You Don't Give Me Love)", did not see chart success at the time of its original UK release. However, it did later become a top 20 hit in Canada and a top 75 hit when it was reissued in the UK in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuck with You</span> 1986 single by Huey Lewis and the News

"Stuck with You" is a song by American rock band Huey Lewis and the News, written by guitarist Chris Hayes and lead singer Huey Lewis. Released in 1986, it was the first single from the band's fourth album, Fore!. The song spent three weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's second number-one hit on the chart. Internationally, the song became the band's second top-20 hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, South Africa, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advice for the Young at Heart</span> 1990 single by Tears for Fears

"Advice for the Young at Heart" is a song by the English band Tears for Fears, taken from their 1989 album The Seeds of Love. It was released as the third single from the album in February 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woman in Chains</span> 1989 single by Tears for Fears featuring Oleta Adams

"Woman in Chains" is a song by English band Tears for Fears, released as the second single from their third studio album, The Seeds of Love (1989). It has been described as a "feminist anthem". It was an international success, reaching the top 40 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)</span> 1992 single by Tears for Fears

"Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down)" is a song by British band Tears for Fears. It was released as a single in 1992 to coincide with the release of the band's greatest hits album Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82–92).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break It Down Again</span> 1993 single by Tears for Fears

"Break It Down Again" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released in May 1993 by Mercury Records as the first single from their fourth studio album, Elemental (1993). It is one of the band's later songs with the typical late 1980s sound, using synthesizers. The song was the second single released after the departure of Curt Smith from the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Train (Holly Johnson song)</span> 1989 single by Holly Johnson

"Love Train" is a song by English singer Holly Johnson, released on 9 January 1989 as the lead single from his debut solo album, Blast (1989). It was written by Johnson and produced by Andy Richards and Steve Lovell with additional production by Stephen Hague. The song reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom, spending 11 weeks on the chart, and was certified silver by British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in February 1989. In the United States, the song reached No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.

References

  1. ↑ "News" (PDF). Record Mirror . 19 August 1989. p. 4. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  2. ↑ Deggans, Eric (1998). "Tears for Fears". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 1128.
  3. 1 2 Rolli, Bryan (11 January 2024). "Top 35 Songs of 1989". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Thrills, Adrian (1990). Tears for Fears – The Seeds of Love. London, UK: Virgin Books. ISBN   0-86369-329-6.
  5. ↑ bibleofbritishtaste. "How Cecil Sharp sowed the seeds of love". Bible of British Taste. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 Stephen Holden (21 February 1990). "Disciples of the Beatles". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 July 2008.
  7. ↑ "Tears for Fears: The Seeds of Love (Super Deluxe Edition)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "Pop Classics #54: Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love - God Is In The TV". 1 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Charlie Cooper (17 April 2013). "After the Iron Lady's granddaughter Amanda opens funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral – we introduce you to the rest of the Thatcher family". The Independent. London.
  10. 1 2 Spicer, Mark (10 August 2023). The Beatles and Humour. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. pp. 239–241. ISBN   978-1-1053-7937-6.
  11. ↑ Giles, David (2 September 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 23. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Marsh, David (27 September 2012). "Old music: Tears for Fears – The Seeds of Love". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Hiroshima 2014 International Jury". hiroanim.org. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  14. ↑ MTV - Video Awards (1990)
  15. 1 2 Sinclair, Paul (21 August 2019). "SDE Exclusive: Tears For Fears on the making of Sowing The Seeds of Love – SuperDeluxeEdition" . Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100™ – Week of October 28, 1987". Billboard. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Tears for Fears Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  18. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (9th ed.). New York: Billboard Books. p. 647. ISBN   978-0-8230-8554-5.
  19. 1 2 "Tears for Fears: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. ↑ Sowing the Seeds of Love (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Tears for Fears. Fontana Records. 1989. IDEAG 12, 874 996-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Sowing the Seeds of Love (UK cassette single sleeve). Tears for Fears. Fontana Records. 1989. IDMC 12, 874 710-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ↑ Sowing the Seeds of Love (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Tears for Fears. Fontana Records. 1989. IDEAT 12, 874 711-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ↑ Sowing the Seeds of Love (UK CD single liner notes). Tears for Fears. Fontana Records. 1989. IDCD 12, 874 711-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  25. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  26. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  27. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6592." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  28. ↑ "RPM 30 Retail Singles". RPM. Vol. 51, no. 2. 11 November 1989. p. 22. ISSN   0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  29. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 40. 7 October 1989. p. IV. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  30. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  31. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love" (in French). Les classement single.
  32. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sowing the Seeds of Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  33. ↑ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 46. 18 November 1989. p. VII. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  34. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Tears for Fears" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  35. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  36. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love". Top 40 Singles.
  37. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  38. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love". Singles Top 100.
  39. ↑ "Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love". Swiss Singles Chart.
  40. ↑ "Tears for Fears Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  41. ↑ "Tears for Fears Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  42. ↑ "Tears for Fears Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  43. ↑ "Tears for Fears Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  44. ↑ "Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Cash Box . Vol. LIII, no. 17. 4 November 1989. p. 15. ISSN   0008-7289 – via World Radio History.
  45. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Tears for Fears – Sowing the Seeds of Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  46. ↑ "Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA . Retrieved 7 January 2020– via Imgur.
  47. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1989 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  48. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. Vol. 51, no. 8. 23 December 1989. p. 8. ISSN   0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  49. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 – 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  50. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  51. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts . Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  52. ↑ "Year End Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror . 27 January 1990. p. 44. ISSN   0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  53. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  54. 1 2 "1989 The Year in Music – Top Album Rock Tracks / Top Modern Rock Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. Y-58. ISSN   0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  55. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1989 – Top 50 Pop Singles". Cash Box. 30 December 1989. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.