Roland Orzabal: The Story Behind Tears for Fears, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” & Finding His Way Back

Roland Orzabal helped create some of the most enduring music of the 1980s—and decades later, Tears for Fears’ songs continue to find new audiences around the world.

On Music Drives Us: Jaybeau Jones sits down with Roland Orzabal, co-founder of Tears for Fears, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about the stories behind the music. Roland reveals how “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” came together, reflects on the lasting impact of “Shout,” and discusses how streaming has introduced Tears for Fears to generations of new listeners.

Roland also opens up about his memoir, Welcome to Your Life: Love, Death, and Tears for Fears, and the experiences that shaped both his life and his songwriting. He speaks candidly about grief, addiction, recovery, losing his first wife, finding love again, becoming a father again, and confronting a difficult chapter when fame, alcohol, sleeping pills, and the pressures of life on the road began to take their toll.

This conversation goes far beyond the hits. It’s a story about creativity, loss, recovery, family, resilience, and ultimately finding a way forward.

For fans of Tears for Fears, ’80s music, songwriting, and the stories behind legendary songs, this is a rare opportunity to hear Roland Orzabal reflect on the music, the memories, and the life behind the anthems.