Burning The Ground Exclusive
“Suffer the Children” is the debut single by British band Tears for Fears. Written and sung by Roland Orzabal, it was released in October 1981 and marked the duo’s first official release following the breakup of Graduate, Orzabal and Curt Smith’s previous band.
The single was produced by David Lord and recorded at his own Crescent Studios in Bath, England. Along with “Pale Shelter,” it was one of two demo songs that landed Tears for Fears their first record deal with Phonogram in 1981.
“Suffer the Children was the first song we did together when we left Graduate. It was our very first experimentation with sequencers and drum machines, with a guy called David Lord, who worked with Peter Gabriel and different people down in Bath. So that was actually the first song we did as Tears For Fears.”
— Curt Smith
According to Orzabal:
“We were really big on this at the time – we really thought children were born innocent and good and holy… When you’ve got kids of your own, you realize how bloody difficult it is. But it’s that kind of thing – saying look at what you’re doing with your child.”
— Roland Orzabal
The 12″ version features a Remix and an Instrumental, both distinct from the 7″ version. The remix, handled by David Lord, has a slightly punchier electronic arrangement that highlights the early use of sequencers and drum machines that would later define the band’s sound. The haunting female vocal heard on the track comes from Carol Kenyon, while Orzabal’s wife Caroline provides the childlike voice heard during the bridge.
The B-side, “Wino,” is an unusual Tears for Fears recording — stripped of synthesizers and studio polish, featuring only a simple acoustic performance.
Despite support from influential BBC Radio 1 DJs John Peel and Peter Powell, the single failed to chart upon its original release. In 1985, following the success of Songs from the Big Chair, Phonogram reissued “Suffer the Children” in the UK with a new picture sleeve, using the same audio and track listing as the 1981 release. This reissue narrowly missed the UK Top 50.
The song was later re-recorded for the band’s debut LP The Hurting (1983), produced by Chris Hughes and Ross Cullum. That album version removes an opening lyric sung by Curt Smith and slightly alters the arrangement but maintains the song’s emotional intensity.
No music video was ever produced for the song.
SIDE A:
Suffer The Children (Remix) 4:23
SIDE B:
Suffer The Children (Instrumental) 4:30
Wino 2:24
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury – idea 12
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1981
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Producer – David Lord
- Written-By – C. Smith*, R. Orzabal*
NOTES:
Their 1st single. “Suffer The Children” later re-recorded for their debut album “The Hurting”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
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Thank you, Paul.
On the deluxe CD reissues of The Hurting, the instrumental mix is provided, but the 5th strum in the intro (at about 0:18 in your rip) is unique and has a tape speed glitch, whereas in your rip, it is an exact duplicate of the preceding one. Someone has performed some surgery, and I am guessing it wasn’t you! This means for the 12″ they must have made an edit to get rid of that glitch. Thank you for this!
Early TfF cannot be beaten! Somehow I didn’t know (or had forgotten) that this was even a single, let alone their first. Thank you. 🙂
BTW Paul, I was just reading that between Graduate and TfF they were briefly in another band called Neon, and released 2 singles, did you know this?
Interesting also about this is the b-side was left off the band’s official b-sides album from 1994 “Saturnine Martial & Lunatic.”
Tears For Fears in their embryonic state! I’m really glad I gave this a chance, boy is it powerful. Now I can really see the foundations laid down leading up to their artistic and commercial zenith SFTBC. Thanks so much Paul!!
Nice selection Dj Paul, what a classic. I always loved this one. What an incredible debut single. The great synth beats and signature vocals sure were a sign of great things to come. My first Tears for Fears song wasn’t until the end credits of Real Genius as a kid… Everybody Wants to Rule the World is still my favorite (or at least top 3!) track from them. I remember how excited I was to share it with a friend who was not nearly as impressed as I was lol. Really enjoyed listening to this 12″ version of Suffer The… Read more »
Absolutely, JP — couldn’t agree more! Suffer the Children is such a powerful debut, and it really laid the groundwork for what Tears for Fears would become. That early synth work and Roland’s vocals already hinted at the emotional depth and sonic ambition they’d explore in The Hurting and beyond. And I love that your first exposure was through Real Genius! Everybody Wants to Rule the World is a timeless anthem — cinematic, philosophical, and somehow still danceable. It’s one of those tracks that feels like it belongs to everyone, yet still hits personally. Sharing it with a friend who… Read more »
Suffer the Children. Is another example of a great song that never had a music video. If it had, it would undoubtedly have been among the top songs on the Billboard Hot 100.
What a shame.
Absolutely, Ruben. I’ve always thought the same thing — “Suffer the Children” had all the ingredients of a classic: haunting melody, emotional depth, and that unmistakable early Tears for Fears sound. A well-crafted music video could have helped it reach a much wider audience at the time.
It’s one of those songs that proves how much visuals mattered in the early ’80s — especially with MTV just taking off. Without a video, it sadly slipped under the radar, but for those who discover it now, it still feels timeless.
Thank you for another rare slice of Synthpop Heaven, Paul! I always thought my 1985 copy was a completely new recording of the song. Interesting that they simply reissued the original remix. This is such a killer song. And I love the B-side!
Thanks, Axel! I really appreciate that. You’re absolutely right — a lot of people assumed the 1985 version was a new recording because of the timing after Songs from the Big Chair, but it was actually just a straight reissue of the original 1981 single and remix.
It’s such a fantastic early track — dark, emotional, and beautifully produced. And yes, “Wino” is such an underrated B-side… raw and haunting in a way that perfectly complements the A-side.
Great song, quite a debut single! In my mind they started on top and never bettered the first album.
I’m with you on that, Martin. The Hurting really is a masterpiece — such an emotionally honest and beautifully crafted debut. There’s a rawness and sincerity in those early songs that’s hard to replicate. Tears for Fears came out of the gate with a fully realized sound and vision, and “Suffer the Children” set the tone perfectly.
Simply my favorite album. Full stop. Or period as you would say on the other side of the water. An amazing debut and as Martin said ‘never bettered’. Paul how are you with my assertion that a hell of a lot of artists/groups debut album was their best? Spandau Ballet, Adam & The Ants, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, The Monochrome Set, Aztec Camera…to name a few others to join TFF at the top of the list!
…and no sooner do I mention Spandau Ballet then TCALSS goes up as your post today. I’d like to think I gave you the idea but I am sure it was already in your pipeline!
I have the reissue of this 12″, I really appreciated how it really sounds like TFF year zero. All of the elements are there but they aren’t quite ripe, the song itself, still unfinished from what most people had heard. I don’t think I’ve ever come across the original out in the wild. I love how Roland & Curt both look like a couple of high school skate punks on the back photo. The b-side is a real juxtaposition to the innocence on side 1, its a bit prophetic, describing the self destructive trappings of trying to find temporary escape,… Read more »
Beautifully put, Joey — I love how you described that early “year zero” sound. You’re spot on — all the core elements of Tears for Fears are there, just in their rawest, most vulnerable form. It really does feel like the blueprint of what was to come. And yes, that back sleeve photo captures them perfectly — young, intense, and full of ideas. “Wino” is such an interesting contrast to the A-side, stripped of polish but full of meaning. I’ve often wondered the same — whether Roland would see it differently now, with the benefit of time and experience. It… Read more »
Thanks for this Paul!
You’re welcome, Grant.
What a great song this is, Paul. I really discovered the song after their big commercial explosion in the states. Thank so much for posting!!
Jeff
You’re most welcome, Jeff.
Always love your TFF posts! For fans of this album you have to grab the 30th anniversary box set. They did a fantastic job collecting everything from that time on 3 CDs + DVD. Add to that the Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos blu-ray and you have sonic nirvana!
Thanks Paul!
Thanks so much, Mikey! I completely agree — the Hurting 30th Anniversary box set is an absolute treasure. The amount of care that went into compiling all those early mixes, B-sides, and sessions really shows. And yes, the Steven Wilson Atmos mix takes it to another level — it’s like hearing the album for the first time again. Truly sonic perfection. Appreciate you stopping by and sharing the love for TFF!
What a debut this was. Thank you so much for posting.
You’re very welcome, Dean