Podcast Summary: Tony Mantor’s "Almost Live… Nashville"

Episode: Curt Smith – Still Making Music with Tears for Fears

Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Curt Smith (Tears for Fears)
Release Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between veteran Nashville producer and host Tony Mantor and Curt Smith, co-founder and longtime member of Tears for Fears. The discussion explores the origins and creative evolution of Tears for Fears, the unexpected impacts of fame, the power of music to heal, and life lessons from decades in the music business. Curt also reveals candid thoughts on songwriting, fan interpretations, and future plans, while reflecting on collaborating with family and charity work. The episode is filled with honest insights, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and advice for aspiring artists.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Origins of Tears for Fears and Musical Journey

[05:00-07:09]

• The band name came from Arthur Janov’s Primal Theory (author of Prisoners of Pain):

  “Tears as a replacement for fears. Tears for Fears. That’s how it came about.” – Curt Smith [05:46]

• Curt and Roland Orzabal started in the band Graduate, but split due to a deeper interest in music production and theory rather than live performance and partying:

  "We were different, basically… so we decided to leave that band and stay as a duo." – Curt Smith [06:43]

• Despite being marketed with a full band image (especially during live tours), Tears for Fears was always a duo at its creative core.

Early Success, Industry Dynamics, and the Burden of Fame

[07:09-11:56]

• Early success didn’t mean an easy ride; label and management involved lots of “twists and turns,” clashes of ideas with producers and A&R men:

  "It definitely took twists and turns. …we are 100% convinced that we know better, because what 19 and 20 year olds do." – Curt Smith [08:41]

• Unexpected and rapid popularity, especially after their first album hit number one in the UK, led to a surreal disconnect — especially as their dark, introspective material met screaming pop-idol adulation:

  “The juxtaposition was very strange… I didn’t understand why anyone would scream and want to marry you or… idolize you when they’d never met you.” – Curt Smith [11:24]

• Both Curt and Roland, coming from working-class, broken families, initially just wanted “to be heard.”

Audience Perception and the Generational Impact of Music

[11:57-14:21]

• The band immediately attracted a young, female, pop-centric audience in the UK, but their college-aged American fans related more to the content of the music, particularly The Hurting:

  “The reaction in the two countries was different. The US audience for The Hurting was a more thinking audience.” – Curt Smith [12:57]

• Songs like "Mad World" have remained deeply resonant, shifting meaning over time and throughout cover versions and world events (notably, Curt’s own viral lockdown duet with his daughter during COVID-19).

Interpretation and Misinterpretation of Songs

[14:21-15:31]

• Listeners sometimes completely misinterpret their intentions. For example, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was read as a pro-capitalism anthem in some conservative circles, when it was actually a critique of power and political leadership in the Reagan-Thatcher era:

  “That was so not what the song was about. The song was about the insane desire for power.” – Curt Smith [14:59]

Studio Stories: Production, Magic, and Creative Process

[15:32-18:01]

• The recording process was usually meticulous, full of disputes and lengthy debates—except “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” which came together in two weeks as a "light-hearted giveaway track":

  "Who knew it would become our biggest song out of anything we wrote?" – Curt Smith [15:59]

• Looking back, Curt admits he’d change most things if he could due to their extreme fussiness:

  “You have to get to a point where you’re like, okay, this is good enough, because otherwise you could keep going forever.” – Curt Smith [18:15]

The Future of Tears for Fears

[19:03-19:44]

• No long-term plans: The band heads into the studio in late January 2026 to record new material; touring will be determined after the new music takes shape:

  “We have a bunch of songs, but some of them may stick, some of them may not. … If it all works out, we’ll take it out live.” – Curt Smith [19:19]

Charity Work and Family Collaboration

[20:01-22:05]

• Curt is participating in the Joey's Song charity event, thanks to the encouragement of friend and Garbage drummer Butch Vig. He’ll perform with his eldest daughter, who is also a talented musician:

  “She’ll play her own stuff as well. She’s an artist as well… and be a part of the all girl band.” – Curt Smith [21:50]

Quick-Fire "Between the Notes" Segment

[22:05-26:06]

• First song you hated but grew to love?

  “Never a big Wham! fan or anything like that. And then, of course, every Christmas you want to hear 'Last Christmas.'” – Curt Smith [22:31]

• If you could steal any skill from a musician?

  “Improvisation. I’m really not good at that.” – Curt Smith [23:05]

• Tears for Fears lyric you wish you’d written differently?

  "'Watch Me Bleed'... off The Hurting… a bit too obvious and near the knuckles, though." – Curt Smith [23:49]

• Wish you never performed live?

  "'The Way You Are'—that we released just as a standalone single... we ended up despising. We did play it live, and it was horrible." – Curt Smith [24:17]

• If you had to change your music style?

  "Something where the song stands alone… simple, acoustic." – Curt Smith [24:41]

• Most surprising fan interpretation (laughed or cringed)?

  “The Disturbed version of 'Shout' was a little horrifying to start with… I was a little disappointed, I have to say, in Patti Smith’s version of 'Everybody Wants To Rule the World.' I wanted it to be her.” – Curt Smith [25:26]

Father-Daughter Collaboration Reflections

[27:30-29:39]

• Curt is proud (if not exactly "prideful") performing with his daughter and sees a musical and physical reflection of himself:

  "When I see videos… I’m like, oh my God, it’s mini me… we look alike, we kind of act alike, we both sing… it’s fascinating." – Curt Smith [28:07]

Advice to Aspiring Artists

[26:59-27:30]

• On finding success:

  “If you can end up making a living doing something you’re passionate about, nothing in the world beats that. So take it as far as you can take it before you decide to make any rash decisions.” – Curt Smith [27:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On overnight success:

  "Our first shows… we were playing to audiences of screaming girls. …The juxtaposition was very strange…" – Curt Smith [11:24]

• On song misinterpretation by political ideologies:

  "The song was about the insane desire for power… that was so not what the song was about…" – Curt Smith [14:59]

• On their biggest hit:

  "'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'... the easiest to do and the easiest to record." – Curt Smith [15:59]

• On artistic dissatisfaction:

  "We’ve never got to the point where we went, 'that's brilliant.' Because we don’t think we’re that good, which is why we continue to do it…" – Curt Smith [18:34]

• On advice to creative people:

  “You have to pursue [your passion]… If you can end up making a living doing something you’re passionate about, nothing in the world beats that.” – Curt Smith [27:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Curt Smith explains the band name: [05:00–05:49]
• Touring as a duo and band perception: [07:09–07:59]
• Record deal and industry friction: [08:29–09:39]
• On coping with sudden fame: [10:18–11:56]
• UK vs. US audience response: [12:11–12:57]
• Songs as therapy and fan feedback: [13:17–13:39]
• Story behind "Everybody Wants to Rule the World": [15:51–16:42]
• Would you change anything?: [18:01–18:34]
• Upcoming studio and touring plans: [19:08–19:44]
• Involvement in Joey’s Song charity: [20:08–21:50]
• "Between the Notes" quickfire answers: [22:05–26:06]
• Father-daughter musical reflections: [27:30–29:39]
• Curt’s advice to aspiring artists: [26:59–27:30]

Where to Follow and Listen

• Web/social:
  • tearsforfears.com
  • Instagram/Facebook: @tearsforfears, @curtsmith
  • Occasional updates on Twitter by Curt, but less frequent post-election.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a candid masterclass in the inner workings of long-term artistic success and the paradoxes of popular music stardom. Curt Smith’s journey with Tears for Fears encapsulates resilience, creative curiosity, and balance between past achievements and future ambitions. Aspiring musicians and fans alike will find wisdom, humor, and inspiration throughout the conversation.