Tears for Fears – Head Over Heels
“Head Over Heels” is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. It was released in 1985 as the second single from their album “Songs from the Big Chair.”
Head Over Heels Lyrics Meaning
“Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears is an 80s pop song that explores the anguish of unrequited love. The narrator has fallen hard for a woman who doesn’t seem to return his affections. He is obsessed with her to the point where it is negatively impacting his life.
In the opening verses, his infatuation seems innocent, but we soon realize how consumed he is by this woman. He alludes to past aspirations of becoming a doctor, dreams which have now faded as he pines after her. The narrator feels powerless, like “the gun is in her hand.” She holds all the cards in their potential relationship.
As the song progresses, we get the sense he has been waiting on her for a long time, through the lyric “funny how time flies.” The narrator feels emasculated and helpless, stuck in limbo as he longs for her. His feelings have spiraled out of control.
The soaring vocals, rich instrumentation, and dynamic arrangement beautifully complement the emotionally intense lyrics. From the iconic piano intro to the heartfelt falsetto, Tears for Fears crafts a pop masterpiece exploring the agonies of unrequited devotion. Something needs to change for the narrator, but he cannot seem to shake his obsession with this woman.
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Lyric
And talk about the weather
But traditions I can trace
Against the child in your face
Won’t escape my attention
You keep your distance with a system of touch
And gentle persuasion
I’m lost in admiration
Could I need you this much?
Oh, you’re wasting my time
You’re just—, just—, just wasting time
And I’m head over heels
I never find out
‘Til I’m head over heels
Something happens
And I’m head over heels
Ah, don’t take my heart, don’t break my heart
Don’t—, don’t—, don’t throw it away
Throw it away
Yeah, thought of your future
With one foot in the past
Now, just how long will it last?
Now, now, now, have you no ambitions?
(Nothing ever changes when you’re acting your age)
And dreaming I’m a doctor
(Nothing gets done when you feel like a baby)
It’s hard to be a man when there’s a gun in your hand
(Nothing ever changes when you’re acting your age)
Oh, I feel so
And I’m head over heels
I never find out
‘Til I’m head over heels
Something happens
And I’m head over heels
Ah, don’t take my heart, don’t break my heart
Don’t—, don’t—, don’t throw it away
I’m on the line, one open mind
This is my four-leaf cloverLa, la, la
In my mind’s eye
La, la, la
One little boy, one little man
La, la, la
Funny how time flies