"The Seeds of Love" is Tears for Fears' third studio album, released on September 25, 1989. It showcases the band's signature epic sound while incorporating diverse influences like jazz, soul, and Beatlesque pop. The album's production was notably lengthy and costly, exceeding £1 million, with several sessions scrapped before the final product was completed.
The title track, "Sowing the Seeds of Love," alongside singles "Woman in Chains" and "Advice for the Young at Heart," achieved significant commercial success, charting in the top 40 in multiple countries. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and enjoyed top ten placements elsewhere, including the US, earning Gold and Platinum certifications across various territories.
Despite its acclaim, tensions between band members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal arose during recording, culminating in their split after the 1990 world tour. Orzabal continued as the band's sole member until their reunion in the early 2000s.
In October 2020, The Seeds of Love was remastered and reissued in several formats, including a super deluxe edition featuring B-sides, remixes, and a 5.1 surround sound mix, celebrating its enduring legacy.
The first song crafted for The Seeds of Love was "Badman's Song," conceived during the band's 1985 tour after Roland Orzabal overheard negative remarks about him from tour personnel. Co-written with keyboardist Nicky Holland, who played a significant role in the album's development, the track set the stage for a lengthy and tumultuous recording process.
Sessions began in late 1986 with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, but dissatisfaction with the results led to their dismissal early in 1987. Chris Hughes, who had previously produced their earlier albums, was brought back, yet conflicts over direction persisted. Orzabal sought a departure from the machine-driven sound of their past, aiming for a more organic and vibrant musical approach.
"Sowing the Seeds of Love" was penned in June 1987 during the UK general election, with lyrics reflecting the political climate. Creative differences caused Hughes and keyboardist Ian Stanley to leave later that year, although their contributions remained on the final album. The band ultimately chose to produce the album themselves, with engineer Dave Bascombe assisting.
In a pivotal move, Orzabal and Smith sought out Oleta Adams, a hotel lounge pianist they had seen in Kansas City, to infuse the album with soulful warmth. Adams contributed to several tracks, leading to her own recording contract with Fontana.
Recording resumed in early 1988 and continued until summer 1989, featuring a variety of session musicians, including drummers Manu Katché and Phil Collins. The album was primarily created through jam sessions, with many songs undergoing multiple stylistic transformations before finalization. "Swords and Knives," initially written for the film Sid and Nancy, was rejected for not fitting the "punk" mold.
The album's production costs soared to £1 million, compared to £70,000 for their previous album. Tensions grew between Orzabal and Smith during this time, fueled by Orzabal's perfectionism and Smith's personal distractions, including his divorce. At one point, Orzabal even considered naming the album Famous Last Words, expressing concerns it might be their final release. Indeed, the duo would not collaborate again for over a decade following its release.
