What makes Suffer the Children by Tears for Fears notable?

This release played a crucial role in establishing Tears for Fears as a major force in the new wave genre. The remix of 'Suffer the Children' gained notable airplay and charted well in several countries, contributing to the band's rising popularity during this era. Released as a follow-up to their debut album, 'The Hurting', 'Suffer the Children' marked a significant moment in Tears for Fears' development. At this stage, the band was beginning to carve out their identity in the burgeoning new wave scene, refining their sound and lyrical themes.

How many songs are on Suffer the Children?

Suffer the Children has 3 tracks, running approximately 11 minutes.

Suffer the Children

Tears for Fears · 1981

11 min · 3 tracks · new wave

A haunting blend of atmospheric synths and poignant melodies that encapsulate the emotional depth of early 80s new wave.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Suffer the Children (remix) — The remix transforms the original track into a more danceable format while retaining its emotional weight, showcasing the band's ability to evolve their sound.
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Suffer the Children (instrumental) — This instrumental version allows listeners to appreciate the intricate production and atmospheric qualities that define Tears for Fears' early work.
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Wino — As one of the less commercial tracks, 'Wino' exemplifies the band's experimental edge and willingness to explore darker themes within their music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong synth-driven melodies but lacks cohesion due to its varied tempos across tracks.

What we noticed

The remix of 'Suffer the Children' features a prominent synth line that drives the melody, while layered atmospheric sounds create a haunting backdrop.
The instrumental version strips away the vocals, allowing the synths and percussion to take center stage, emphasizing the arrangement's depth.
The track 'Wino' introduces a more upbeat tempo with a distinct bassline, contrasting sharply with the mood of the first two tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.