Cold (Tears for Fears song)


"Cold" is a song by the British band Tears for Fears. Released in July 1993, it was the second single from the album Elemental. The single peaked at #72 in the UK, and also entered the Top 100 in France.
The 7" and cd single included the b-side "New Star". This song can be heard during the opening credits of the 1994 film Threesome and appears on the film's soundtrack album. It was also later included on the 1996 Tears for Fears compilation album Saturnine Martial & Lunatic.

Lyrics

According to the Elemental EPK, the song is an account of an encounter with a German photographer who was trying to take pictures of him while he was on-stage. He wasn't in the mood for photos and kept turning his face away and giving her the 'cold' shoulder. He eventually received a note from her later that said 'how can someone who makes such warm music to be so cold'. The first 2 verses of the song describes this event.
The song's lyrics, written by Roland Orzabal, contain also references to prior associates of Tears For Fears such as the line "Listened to my old friend Nockles, hoped that it would warm the cockles" which is a reference to former TFF keyboardist and one time co-writer Nicky Holland whose nickname was "Nockles".
Orzabal also takes a swipe at former Tears for Fears business manager with the lyric "King got caught with his fingers in the till. Where's your calculator, will you leave it in your will?" after alleged discrepancies were discovered in King's prior management of the band's financial affairs. King declared bankruptcy in 1990 and, after being found guilty of later fraudulent activities, was imprisoned in 2004 and disqualified from being a company director for a period of ten years.

Music video

The music video was filmed over five days at The Kew Bridge Steam Museum in Brentford, England, and at Pinewood Studios in London. It employs the use of stop motion photography and features Roland Orzabal inside a block of ice as people are trying to chisel him out.

Track listing

UK 7": IDEA19

  1. "Cold" - 5:06
  2. "New Star" - - 4:29

    UK CD Single: IDECD19

  3. "Cold"
  4. "New Star"-
  5. "Deja-Vu & The Sins Of Science"-