"Raoul and the Kings of Spain" is the fifth studio album by English pop rock band Tears for Fears, released on October 16, 1995, by Epic Records. Like their previous album, Elemental (1993), it is primarily a solo effort by Roland Orzabal, as Curt Smith was not involved in either project.
Orzabal's main collaborator for this album was Alan Griffiths, who co-wrote most of the songs alongside him, continuing the partnership from emental. Producer Tim Palmer, also from Elemental, returned for this album. Unfortunately, Raoul and the Kings of Spain was a commercial disappointment, becoming the band's lowest-charting album in both the UK and US, and received mixed reviews.
The album was recorded between 1994 and 1995 by Orzabal, Griffiths, and the band that toured with them during the Elemental tour (which included Gail Ann Dorsey, Brian MacLeod, Jeffrey Trott, and Jebin Bruni). Recording sessions took place at Neptune's Kitchen, Orzabal's home studio, and at the Record Plant in Los Angeles.
Thematically, Orzabal described the album as exploring familiar relationships and delving into his Spanish heritage. The title was considered as early as the 1980s as a potential name for their third album, which ultimately became The Seeds of Love. "Raoul" was Orzabal's birth name before being anglicized to "Roland"; he later named his first son "Raoul."
Initially, the album was set to be released by Mercury Records, but after Tears for Fears left the label to sign with Sony/Epic, the release was postponed. It finally came out in October 1995 with a slightly altered track listing and new cover art.
The album peaked at number 41 in the UK and number 79 in the US, but fared better in continental Europe, reaching number 13 in Belgium and number five in France. It features a reunion with Oleta Adams, who duets with Orzabal on "Me and My Big Ideas."
The cover photo, titled Running Them In at Pamplona, depicts the annual "Running of the Bulls" festival in Pamplona, Spain, and was taken by Jose Galle. Additional inner sleeve photographs were contributed by David Tack, and Orzabal's photos were taken by Pamela Springsteen at the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, California, where the promo video for the title track was filmed.
Raoul and the Kings of Spain was re-released in August 2009 by Cherry Pop Records, including seven bonus tracks.
