It’s hard to believe Songs from the Big Chair was released all the way back in 1985, and therefore, it is the 40^th Anniversary of this iconic album.

In good old New Zealand, at that time, we had welcomed a new more progressive Labour Government (not popular for everyone) that began dismantling the stifling controls and protectionism that had been in place since WWII. Times were changing and the 80’s were booming in NZ and globally.

Money was still tight for the young ones, but no one minded to much as there was no shortage of great music, but we were on the cusp of significant change. Synth-Pop ruled the waves and TV’s. NZ was changing for the better, and we were starting to embrace the world of CDs, even though they were ridiculously expensive at the time (but the media told us they were better) All to the detriment of Vinyl and Cassettes over the next few years.

Then, out of nowhere, Tears For Fears released Songs from the Big Chair, a triumphant second album that made everyone sit up and take notice. They had gone from an introspective bleak-world outlook duo to a massive Rock force.

With the aid of iconic music videos like "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," TFF suddenly found themselves at the forefront of popular culture. Their sound was catchy, musically intricate, and above all, unforgettable. The album’s upbeat, polished production matched the shift in global economic and cultural climates.

Songs from the Big Chair quickly became a massive commercial and critical success, with TFF solidifying their place as the sound of post-New Wave rock. It was impossible to escape this album—it dominated the airwaves and media.

Fast forward forty years, and we’re still spinning Songs from the Big Chair. The resurgence of 80’s music has introduced a whole new generation to TFF. Songs like "Head Over Heels," which was a lesser hit compared to the juggernauts "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," have since become essential tracks on the ‘80’s Rock’ playlist. Great music videos certainly helped with that, too!

In retrospect, Songs from the Big Chair stands as an iconic album from one of the defining bands of the mid-80s. Their look was how we wanted to look, and their music was the soundtrack. Sure, there were plenty of other great records out at the time, but when "Shout" hit TV screens, it set our new gold standard.

For anyone building a music collection, Songs from the Big Chair is an absolute must-have. It’s a musical gem that’s worth listening to from start to finish. There are so many great songs, not just the hits, with fantastic and inventive sounds plus immaculate musicianship and production.

It really does sound better on Vinyl.

Thanks, David