Raoul and the Kings of Spain (song)


"Raoul and the Kings of Spain" is a song by the band Tears for Fears, released as the first single from their 1995 album of the same name. Upon its release, the single reached #31 in the UK and would be the band's last Top 40 hit there for ten years. The song also reached #39 in Belgium and #26 in Poland.

Background

"Raoul and the Kings of Spain" is about Roland Orzabal's Spanish heritage. Raoul was actually Roland Orzabal's name for the first two weeks of his life, but his mother renamed him Roland because the family were then living in England. Orzabal named his own first son Raoul.
The track was first performed two years prior to its release, on the band's 1993 Elemental World Tour.

Music video

The video for the song was filmed at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside, California. The Inn is a listed historic landmark, and was where Bette Davis married in 1945. The video features Orzabal with his full supporting band including guitarist Alan Griffiths and bass player Gail Ann Dorsey.

Track listing

UK 2-CD set

;Disc 1
  1. "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" - 5:15
  2. "Queen of Compromise" - -3:52
  3. "All of the Angels" - -4:25
;Disc 2
  1. "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" - 5:15
  2. "Creep" - 4:55
  3. "The Madness of Roland" -- 5:09

    UK CD5 Promo

  4. "Raoul and The Kings of Spain" 4:32

    German CD5 Promo

  5. "Raoul and The Kings of Spain" 4:43