‘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 in 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.
Featuring a repetitive hook and a synth-drone throughout, ‘Shout’ is regarded as one of the most recognizable songs from the mid-eighties, with Chris True of AllMusic viewing it as Tears for Fears' defining moment. The song has been covered, remixed and sampled by many artists since its release. In 2010, it was used as the basis for the UK-chart–topping song ‘Shout’ (performed by an ensemble featuring Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden), an unofficial anthem of the England football team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
‘Shout’ was completed with power chords, heavy percussion, a synth bass solo and a vocal-sounding synth riff. The song has a lengthy guitar solo, unusual for Tears for Fears. Roland Orzabal said “The song was written in my front room on just a small synthesizer and a drum machine. Initially I only had the chorus, which was very repetitive, like a mantra. I played it to Ian Stanley, our keyboardist, and Chris Hughes, the producer. I saw it as a good album track, but they were convinced it would be a hit around the world.”
Cash Box said that it has "an anthemic chorus and a booming production sound". John Leland at Spin called it, " the simple, mindless pop song Depeche Mode has been trying to write for years. The vocals sound like they're coming from a porcelain bathroom at the foot of the Alps. Other than that, it’s got a singsong melody that numbs all critical faculties, portentious lyrics that signify nothing, and a happy lack of synth doodles or Bowie-isms."
Labels – Phonogram, Mercury
Songwriters – Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley
Producer – Chris Hughes
SONG LYRICS
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
[Verse 1: Roland Orzabal]
In violent times, you shouldn't have to sell your soul
In black and white, they really, really ought to know
Those one-track minds that took you for a working boy
Kiss them goodbye, you shouldn't have to jump for joy
You shouldn't have to jump for joy
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
[Verse 2: Roland Orzabal]
They gave you life and in return, you gave them hell
As cold as ice, I hope we live to tell the tale
I hope we live to tell the tale
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
[Interlude]
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]
Shout, shout, let it all out (Let it all out)
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
[Verse 3: Roland Orzabal]
And when you've taken down your guard
If I could change your mind, I'd really love to break your heart
I'd really love to break your heart
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
(Break your heart)
Come on
(Really love to break your heart)
I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you so come on
[Interlude - Guitar Solo]
[Chorus: Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith]
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you, come on
(They really, really ought to know)
Shout, shout, let it all out
(They really, really ought to know)
These are the things I can do without
(They really, really)
Come on
(They really, really ought to know)
I'm talking to you, come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
(I'd really love to break your heart)
These are the things I can do without
(I'd really love to break your heart)
Come on
I'm talking to you so come on
Shout, shout, let it all out
These are the things I can do without
Come on
I'm talking to you...