"Change" is a song by the

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

band

Tears for Fears Tears for Fears are an English pop rock band formed in Bath, England, in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, Tears for Fears were associated with the new ...

. Written by

Roland Orzabal Roland Orzabal (born Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana; 22 August 1961) is a British musician, singer-songwriter, record producer, and author. He is best known as a co-founder of Tears for Fears, of which he is the main songwriter and joint v ...

and sung by bassist

Curt Smith Curt Smith (born 24 June 1961) is a British singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and co-founding member of the pop rock band Tears for Fears along with childhood friend Roland Orzabal. Smith plays bass guitar, has co-written severa ...

, it was the band's fourth single release. It would eventually become the second hit from their debut LP '' The Hurting'' (1983) and second UK Top 5 chart hit, following the success of "

Mad World "Mad World" is a 1982 song by British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, it was the band's third single release and first chart hit, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart in November 1982. Bo ...

". The song also gave Tears for Fears their first charting single in the United States when it cracked the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in August 1983. "Change" was also a big international success, reaching the

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is the current, 40 most-popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "Top 40" or "cont ...

in numerous countries.

Meaning

Song versions

The 7" version of "Change" is the same mix of the song found on ''The Hurting'', but in a slightly edited form. An extended remix of the song is showcased as the lead track on the 12" single. While many copies of the 12" single use the 7" mix of the song as one of the B-sides, some feature an altogether different recording. Although uncredited on the singles themselves, this mix is labeled the "New Version" on the UK cassette release of ''The Hurting'', where it was included as a bonus track. Featuring an alternate set of lyrics, this version actually predates the 7" mix, despite its title. More recently, a mix by British DJ

Joey Negro David Russell Lee (born 18 June 1964) is an English DJ and house music producer, formerly known by the stage name Joey Negro, which he retired in July 2020 following the George Floyd protests. He has released music under a variety of pseudo ...

was included, along with other Tears for Fears remixes, on a

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight ...

promotional EP.

B-side

"The Conflict" is a song that served as the B-side to the "Change" single. Its repeated verse describes a conflict between two individuals. Sung by Curt Smith, this is one of the few songs in the Tears for Fears catalogue on which he shares a writing credit.

Music video

The music video for "Change" was directed by Clive Richardson, best known for his early work with

Depeche Mode Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The band currently consists of Dave Gahan (lead vocals and co-songwriting) and Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, co-lead vocals and main songwriting). Depech ...

Track listings

;7": Mercury / IDEA4 (

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) / 812 677-7 (

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) / 6059 596 (

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) / SOV 2322 (

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) / 7PP-101 (

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...

) #"Change" (3:52) #"The Conflict" (4:02) ;12": Mercury / IDEA412 (United Kingdom) / 6400 730 (Europe) #"Change

xtended Version ''X'' is the second studio album by American rapper Ken Carson, released through Opium and Interscope Records on July 8, 2022. In the United States, the album entered at number 115 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The deluxe version, titled ''Xtende ...

(5:54) #"Change" (3:52) #"The Conflict" (4:02) ;12": Mercury / IDEA412 (United Kingdom) / 6400 730 (Australia) / SOVX 2322 (Canada) #"Change

(5:54) #"Change ew Version (4:33) #"The Conflict" (4:02) *The "New Version" is not specifically identified as such on this release

Chart positions

References

{{authority control 1983 singles 1983 songs Phonogram Records singles Songs written by Roland Orzabal Song recordings produced by Ross Cullum Song recordings produced by Chris Hughes (record producer) Tears for Fears songs