Suffer the Children (song)

Along with "Pale Shelter", "Suffer the Children" was one of two demo songs that landed Tears for Fears their first record deal with Phonogram in 1981.

"Suffer the Children" was the first song we did together when we left Graduate. It was our very first experimentation with sequencers and drum machines, with a guy called David Lord, who worked with Peter Gabriel and different people down in Bath. So that was actually the first song we did as Tears For Fears.

— Curt Smith[2]

According to Orzabal:

...We were really big on this at the time - we really thought children were born innocent and good and holy... When you've got kids of your own, you realize how bloody difficult it is. But it's that kind of thing - saying look at what you're doing with your child.

— Roland Orzabal[2]

The song was later re-recorded by producers Chris Hughes and Ross Cullum for inclusion on the band's debut album The Hurting in 1983. This recording is distinct from the original 7" version by the subtraction of an extra Curt Smith-sung lyric at the beginning of the song. Both the original version and re-recording of the song notably feature Orzabal's wife Caroline on a "child vocal" during the bridge.[2]

"Suffer The Children" was released as a United Kingdom-only single in both 7" and 12" formats. The 7" features the original recording of the song, while the 12" features both remix and instrumental versions. Both formats featured a short B-side, "Wino", which, minus synthesizers or production of any sort, was uncharacteristic of the band's body of work at the time. Despite being added to the playlists of influential Radio 1 disc jockeys John Peel and Peter Powell, the single failed to chart.[3]

In 1985, following the massive success of the band's second album Songs from the Big Chair, Phonogram Records reissued the single complete with a new variation of the original picture sleeve. Featuring the same formats and track listings as the original 1981 release, the single was moderately successful, barely missing the UK Top 50.

No music video was produced for the song.

All three original single variations of "Suffer the Children" (plus "Wino") remained unreleased on compact disc until the 30th anniversary reissue of The Hurting in 2013.[4]

Sunie Fletcher of Record Mirror called the song an "OMD-ish ditty", adding, "I don't doubt their sincerity, but kind thoughts do not a pop song make, nor well-meant words a hit. Still, it makes a change from exegesis."[5]

7": Mercury / IDEA1 (United Kingdom)

1. "Suffer the Children" (3:36)
2. "Wino" (2:17)

12": Mercury / IDEA12 (United Kingdom)

1. "Suffer the Children [Remix]" (4:15)
2. "Suffer the Children [Instrumental]" (4:26)
3. "Wino" (2:17)

Having often cited Tears for Fears as an influence in interviews,[7][8] British synthpop act La Roux incorporated "Suffer the Children" into their mix compilation Sidetracked in 2010.