The Alternative Number Ones: Tears For Fears’ “Sowing The Seeds Of Love”

In The Alternative Number Ones, I'm reviewing every #1 single in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This column is a companion piece to The Number Ones, and it's for subscribers only. Thank you to everyone who's helping to keep Stereogum afloat.

How do you follow an out-of-nowhere blockbuster? It's a question that's sent plenty of musicians into indecisive, self-doubting tailspins. Sudden, overwhelming fame tends to turn people into neurotic freaks who habitually question their own decisions. It's a headfuck and a half. Some artists take full advantage of their newfound cultural capital, making era-defining works once the world's eyes are on them. Others immediately blow their shots and come crashing right back down to obscurity. Most of the time, blockbuster follow-ups land somewhere in between those two extremes. Tears For Fears' The Seeds Of Love is one of those.

At least in the UK, Tears For Fears were a big deal early on. High-school friends Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal emerged out of the small English city Bath together, playing in lesser-known bands Graduate and Neon before striking out on their own as Tears For Fears. Even in the high synthpop era of the early '80s, Tears For Fears weren't exactly sure-bet megastars. They were two shy studio-rat types who made insular, introspective music inspired by pop psychology. Early singles like "Mad World" were UK hits, but their debut album The Hurting barely made any impact in the US. Sophomore LP Songs From The Big Chair was another story.