Tears for Fears Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In what year was the band Tears for Fears formed in Bath, England?
A. 1979
B. 1981
C. 1983
D. 1985
Answer: B. 1981
Q2. What inspired the name “Tears for Fears” for the band?
A. Primal therapy concepts from Arthur Janov’s book
B. A line from a John Lennon song
C. A phrase from a Talking Heads album
D. The title of a Gary Numan single
Answer: A. Primal therapy concepts from Arthur Janov’s book
Q3. Which two members are the founding and core duo of Tears for Fears?
A. Ian Stanley and Manny Elias
B. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
C. Charlton Pettus and Jamie Wollam
D. Nicky Holland and Oleta Adams
Answer: B. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
Q4. What was the name of the mod-influenced band that Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were in before forming Tears for Fears?
A. Neon
B. Interview
C. Graduate
D. Sybil
Answer: C. Graduate
Q5. Which early single from Tears for Fears marked their debut release in 1981?
A. Mad World
B. Suffer the Children
C. Pale Shelter
D. Change
Answer: B. Suffer the Children
Q6. Tears for Fears’ debut album, The Hurting, reached number one on which chart upon its 1983 release?
A. UK Albums Chart
B. US Billboard 200
C. Billboard Hot 100
D. Irish Singles Chart
Answer: A. UK Albums Chart
Q7. How many of the first three singles from The Hurting album reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
Answer: C. Three
Q8. Which 1982 single from The Hurting became a surprise hit and later a Christmas number one in a cover version by Gary Jules?
A. Change
B. Pale Shelter
C. The Way You Are
D. Mad World
Answer: D. Mad World
Q9. What is the title of Tears for Fears’ second studio album, released in 1985, which achieved multi-platinum status in both the UK and US?
A. The Seeds of Love
B. Songs from the Big Chair
C. Elemental
D. Raoul and the Kings of Spain
Answer: B. Songs from the Big Chair
Q10. Which Tears for Fears song from Songs from the Big Chair won the Brit Award for Best British Single in 1986?
A. Shout
B. Head over Heels
C. Everybody Wants to Rule the World
D. Mothers Talk
Answer: C. Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Q11. How many US Billboard Hot 100 number one hits did Songs from the Big Chair produce for Tears for Fears?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. None
Answer: B. Two
Q12. Which drummer was an official member of Tears for Fears from 1981 to 1986 and played on their first two albums?
A. Jamie Wollam
B. Nick D’Virgilio
C. Manny Elias
D. Phil Collins
Answer: C. Manny Elias
Q13. Who served as the keyboardist and co-writer for Tears for Fears from 1981 to 1987, contributing to hits like “Shout”?
A. Charlton Pettus
B. Ian Stanley
C. Douglas Petty
D. Alan Griffiths
Answer: B. Ian Stanley
Q14. What was the reported production cost of Tears for Fears’ third album, The Seeds of Love, released in 1989?
A. Over £1 million
B. Under £500,000
C. Exactly £750,000
D. £2 million
Answer: A. Over £1 million
Q15. Which vocalist featured prominently on the 1989 single “Woman in Chains” from The Seeds of Love?
A. Carina Round
B. Gail Ann Dorsey
C. Oleta Adams
D. Alison Moyet
Answer: C. Oleta Adams
Q16. After the release of The Seeds of Love, which founding member left the band in 1991 to pursue a solo career?
A. Roland Orzabal
B. Ian Stanley
C. Manny Elias
D. Curt Smith
Answer: D. Curt Smith
Q17. Which 1993 album was essentially a solo project by Roland Orzabal but released under the Tears for Fears name?
A. Everybody Loves a Happy Ending
B. Elemental
C. The Tipping Point
D. Raoul and the Kings of Spain
Answer: B. Elemental
Q18. What cultural influences shaped the 1995 album Raoul and the Kings of Spain?
A. Latin rhythms and contemplative themes
B. Synth-pop minimalism
C. Heavy metal riffs
D. Electronic dance beats
Answer: A. Latin rhythms and contemplative themes
Q19. In what year did Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith reunite, leading to the album Everybody Loves a Happy Ending?
A. 1995
B. 2000
C. 2004
D. 2017
Answer: C. 2004
Q20. Which single from Everybody Loves a Happy Ending marked Tears for Fears’ first UK Top 40 hit in over a decade?
A. Closest Thing to Heaven
B. Break It Down Again
C. Call Me Mellow
D. God of Loss
Answer: A. Closest Thing to Heaven
Q21. How long was the development period for Tears for Fears’ seventh studio album, The Tipping Point, before its 2022 release?
A. Two years
B. Five years
C. Nearly a decade
D. One year
Answer: C. Nearly a decade
Q22. On which US Billboard chart did The Tipping Point top in 2022?
A. Billboard 200
B. Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums
C. Hot 100
D. Dance/Electronic Albums
Answer: B. Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums
Q23. What unique feature does Tears for Fears’ 2024 album Songs for a Nervous Planet include alongside new studio tracks?
A. Live recordings from their 2023 tour
B. Cover versions of Beatles songs
C. Orchestral arrangements
D. Collaborations with 1980s synth acts
Answer: A. Live recordings from their 2023 tour
Q24. Which 1986 charity version of a Tears for Fears song was released for Sport Aid and reached number 5 on the UK chart?
A. Shout for the World
B. Everybody Wants to Run the World
C. Mad World Remix
D. Pale Shelter Aid
Answer: B. Everybody Wants to Run the World
Q25. Which film from 2001 prominently featured “Mad World” in a cover version, boosting Tears for Fears’ exposure to new generations?
A. Donnie Darko
B. Ready Player One
C. The Breakfast Club
D. Pretty in Pink
Answer: A. Donnie Darko