I Believe (Tears for Fears song)


"I Believe " is a single by the British band Tears for Fears. It was the band's eleventh single release, and as a live re-recording of a song from their second LP Songs from the Big Chair, it effectively served as that album's fifth single. It was Tears for Fears' ninth UK Top 40 hit. The song also reached the Top 10 in Ireland and peaked at #28 in New Zealand.
The song was written by Roland Orzabal who had originally planned to offer it to British musician Robert Wyatt to record, though it was later decided that Tears for Fears would record the song themselves for their album Songs from the Big Chair. Additionally, a cover of Robert Wyatt's "Sea Song" served as the single's B-side. The album version of "I Believe" is dedicated to Wyatt in the liner notes. Roland Orzabal has confirmed the song is about Primal Therapy, particularly in the last line.
It was the first Tears for Fears release on which the band itself is listed as producer. Although the single was not released in the United States, the re-recording of the song was done in the midst of the band's 1985 American tour.
In the course of the song, Orzabal shouts "William!" prior to a saxophone solo. The shout was directed to Tears for Fears' touring saxophonist of the time, Will Gregory, best known today as the keyboardist, producer, and composer of the electronic music duo Goldfrapp.
The music video for the song, featuring a shirtless Orzabal, was filmed in an aircraft hangar in Seattle, Washington. It was again directed by Nigel Dick.

Track listings

7": Mercury / IDEA11 (UK)

  1. "I Believe "
  2. "Sea Song"

    2x7": Mercury / IDEA1111 (UK)

  3. "I Believe "
  4. "Sea Song"
  5. "I Believe "
  6. "Shout "

    10": Mercury / IDEA1110 (UK)

  7. "I Believe "
  8. "I Believe "
  9. "Sea Song"

    12": Mercury / IDEA1112 (UK)

  10. "I Believe "
  11. "Shout "
  12. "Sea Song"
  13. "Shout "

    Credits and personnel

Tears for Fears
Additional personnel