Before their breakthrough LP, Songs From the Big Chair, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith weren’t known for love — let alone happy — songs. Their debut, 1983’s The Hurting, was an emotionally turbulent record inspired by the work of American psychologist Arthur Janov. The mood lightened up somewhat on Songs From the Big Chair, especially with the majestic “Head Over Heels,” distinguished for its relatively upbeat lyrics and ecstatic Beatles-like “la-la-la-la-la” chorus towards the end. Adding to the romantic atmosphere is a humorous music video that depicts Orzabal trying to catch the eye of a bookish librarian. “Head Over Heels” is probably the closest we’ll ever get to a love song,” Orzabal remarked for the 2014 Big Chair reissue. “It’s a love song that kind of goes a bit perverse at the end.”
I wanted to be with you alone
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
Something happens
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
Throw it away
I made a fire, and watching it burn
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?
(Mm, what's the matter with my)
My mother and my brothers used to breathe in clean air
(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
Something happens
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
And this is my four-leaf clover
I'm on the line, one open mind
This is my four-leaf clover
La, la, la
In my mind's eye
La, la, la
One little boy, one little man
La, la, la
Funny how time flies