Burning The Ground Exclusive
One of the most hauntingly beautiful early singles from Tears for Fears, “Pale Shelter” perfectly captures the icy, emotional edge that defined much of the duo’s early sound. Originally released in 1982 and then re-recorded and re-released in 1983, the track marked a major turning point for Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith—climbing to #5 on the UK Singles Chart and solidifying their place in the new wave scene.
The title “Pale Shelter” comes from a line in a Henry Moore drawing (Pale Shelter Scene), and like many early Tears for Fears songs, it draws on the theories of Arthur Janov’s primal therapy—focusing on themes of emotional neglect and childhood wounds. Lines like “You don’t give me love / You give me cold hands” speak to a deep sense of disconnection that resonated with a generation of listeners.
In 1985, riding high on the global success of Songs from the Big Chair, Mercury Records reissued “Pale Shelter” with a brand-new cream-colored picture sleeve. This version features the original 1982 extended mix produced by Mike Howlett, not the more widely known 1983 Chris Hughes re-recording.
What makes this reissue special for collectors: both B-side tracks run longer than their original 1982 12″ counterparts. “Pale Shelter” is about 30 seconds longer, while “The Prisoner” adds another 8 seconds of atmospheric synth work.
SIDE A:
Pale Shelter (Extended Version) 6:31
Producer – Mike Howlett
SIDE B:
Pale Shelter 4:31
Producer – Mike Howlett
The Prisoner 2:51
Producer – Tears For Fears
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – idea 212
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Reissue
Country: UK
Released: Sep 2, 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Photography By – Mathew White
- Written-By – C. Smith*, R. Orzabal*
NOTES:
M&M Music
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
Your posts are amazing! Thanks a ton Paul !!
Always a classic track for me…the passion in the song is so strong. Thank you for sharing!
I have a number of 12” Singles, including the 1983 “Pale Shelter” with “We are Broken” on the B-Side. (It is on a Promo CD with the first note clipped). Unfortunately, there is a large ocean between us. If you ever choose to take a vacation to the Emerald Isle then you are welcome to pick and choose anything you might like from my 12” (and 7”) collection…for free. Honestly!
A big thank you Paul. I love this TFF song so much. I discovered it when I was a teenager in the mid 80s. Manu
Being late to the wonder that is the Hurting album,
only discovered it in 2020 when i came across the deluxe edition
(probably for the best in retrospect),
I only knew the singles back in the early 80s.
This song resonates strongly with me even today.
Paul, a sincere thank you for sharing this gem in your flawless quality.
peace,
dj
My pleasure, Don Julian 🙂
Thanks for this gem Paul!! For me everything in Tears For Fears’ catalog centers around Songs From The Big Chair: Before and after. This was clearly before and I’m excited about this rarity – it deserves to be reexamined. I don’t need to go into SFTBC’s cultural impact, but it was so HUGE, it really defines the mid-80’s (at least for me). Not only was the music so catchy, the messaging really cut to the heart… Not to mention Roland and Curt looked like a couple of guys you might see in the halls at school or in the library… Read more »
Retro Hound, thank you so much for the kind words! I totally agree—Songs From The Big Chair was a massive cultural moment, and it’s amazing how much it still resonates today. But you’re right, going back to the earlier material like “Pale Shelter” really shows the evolution of their sound and vision. There’s a rawness and emotional intensity in those early tracks that laid the foundation for everything that followed. And yes—Roland and Curt had that everyman appeal, which made their introspective lyrics even more relatable. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying this reissue, and I’m just as glad they’re still making… Read more »
And so do I, Retro Hound!!!
Jeff
Thank you – especially for being able to add two further versions
to my TFF collection!
I even had this 12″ back in the late 80s before I switched to CD
and sold the little vinyl collection of my childhood – another decision to regret later on in my life.
Do you by any chance have the 1983 12″ of Pale Shelter with
the b-side “We Are Broken” (4:03) which is still unreleased on CD?
You’re very welcome—I’m really glad I could help add to your TFF collection! I totally relate to the vinyl-to-CD switch; so many of us let go of some amazing records thinking we’d never look back. As for the 1983 12″ of Pale Shelter with “We Are Broken” (4:03) on the B-side—unfortunately, I don’t currently have a copy in my collection. But I’ll definitely try to track one down for a future post. It’s a rare version that deserves more attention. Thanks again for visiting and sharing your story!
I may be wrong but I think that, according to Discogs, “We Are Broken” (4:03) is available on these compilations:
Famous Last Words: The Collection (2007), I dont own this
and
Mad World: The Collection (2010), I own that one and it’s clocking at 4:05. I find it rawer that “Broken revisited”.
Both released on the budget label Spectrum.
Manu
Thank you for this useful information, I will check that.
Of course I would prefer a proper rip by Paul. 😉
Thanks so much for posting this Paul.
One of TFF’s finest songs!
Greetings from Australia 🧡
You’re welcome, mate. It is also nice to see your name pop up 🙂
The first truly extended remix from TFF, and this original version is still the best. Mike Howlett had a little touch of magic in the early 80’s. I still have my mint copy of this that I ripped ages ago, but now it is finally upgraded to full BTG glory. Paul, you are really unearthing the rarity gold mines lately!
I love hearing that—thank you! This version really is something special, and I completely agree: Mike Howlett brought a unique touch to those early 80s productions that gave them such depth and atmosphere. So cool that you still have your mint copy—those are treasures! I’m thrilled I could give it the full BTG treatment and help upgrade your rip. It’s been a lot of fun diving into these lesser-seen gems lately, and there’s more on the way. Thanks so much for the support!
One of my favourites by TFF. These versions are an absolute delight for these ears.
I love the artwork too.
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome, Mark. I agree the art is beautiful. 🙂
Such a fabulous track, always preferred the Curt Smith fronted songs. The Hurting is a masterpiece from start to finish. Thank you Paul. 🙂
Thank you so much! I completely agree—The Hurting is an absolute masterpiece, and there’s something so emotionally direct and powerful about the tracks with Curt on lead vocals. His voice brought such vulnerability to those early songs. I’m really glad you enjoyed this one, and I appreciate you being here to revisit these classics with me!
Fantastic to get this 1985 reissue with the longer tracks. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome 🙂
soooooo great!!
Thank you! 🙂
Although, your Burning The Ground site celebrates the entire spectrum of dance music, I still equate your webpage with New Wave, Synth-Pop, and alternative, Paul!! You did name it after Duran Duran’s, “Burning the Ground” after all!! I light-up like a pinball machine with bells and whistles galore when you post something from these genres. This is a fantastic tune and I’m so happy to have your rip of it. I love this song so much because it makes me feel so great!! WOW!! You’re on a roll, Paul!!
Big hug!!
Jeff
Yes, I know it’s depressing, but I still love it!!
Jeff
Jeff, your message made my day—thank you!! You’re absolutely right, Burning the Ground was definitely named with Duran Duran and the New Wave spirit in mind, and those genres will always be the heartbeat of the site. I love exploring the full range of dance music, but there’s something extra special about those synth-pop and alt gems—they just hit differently, don’t they? I’m so glad this track brought that kind of joy for you. Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and your support means the world to me.
Big hug right back at you! 💖
—Paul
Oooo! Can’t wait to hear THIS transfer! Thanks for the info on timing differences too! Saw them on their last tour and it was so awesome. They way they weave a big chunk of the last album into the narrative of a list of their “hits” was so artful and exciting!
Thank you! I’m so glad you’re excited for this one. That’s amazing, you got to see them on their last tour! They’ve really mastered the art of blending old and new, and it’s such a thrill to see how seamlessly they weave in recent material alongside the classics. Totally agree—it was a powerful and thoughtful setlist. Thanks for being here and sharing the enthusiasm!
Always down for some Tears For Fears! I looked at all my various copies of The Hurting and I don’t have a 6:30 version so I’m excited to hear this one. Thanks Paul!
Thanks, Mikey! Always great to hear from a fellow TFF fan! This 6:30 version is a real treat—one of those mixes that gives the track a whole new dimension while still staying true to the emotion of the original. I’m glad I could share something new for your collection, and I hope it lives up to your expectations. More TFF gems coming, so stay tuned!
Sweet! I can’t wait!