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Curt Smith (born 24 June 1961) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist, bassist, and co-founding member of the pop rock band Tears for Fears along with childhood friend Roland Orzabal. Smith has co-written several of the band's songs, and sings lead vocals on the hits "Mad World", "Pale Shelter", "Change", "The Way You Are", "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", and "Advice for the Young at Heart".

After his departure from Tears for Fears in 1991, Smith pursued a solo career and released his debut studio album, Soul on Board, in 1993. In total, he has released five studio albums and one EP, and has also dabbled in acting. He rejoined Tears for Fears in 2000.

Early life

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Smith grew up in Bath, Somerset in England, and lived on the Snow Hill council estate.[1] He attended the Beechen Cliff School.[2]

Musical groups

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Graduate

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Smith met Roland Orzabal when both were teenagers.[3] They first formed a band in their teens, and Smith taught himself to play bass guitar.[citation needed] They next formed the ska-influenced band Graduate.[4] Graduate released their sole studio album in 1980, achieving minor success in Europe. Around this time, Smith and Orzabal also became session musicians for the band Neon. Fellow band members included Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher, who went on to become the duo Naked Eyes.[5]

Tears for Fears

[edit]
Main article: Tears for Fears
Smith And Orzabal in 1985

After Graduate and Neon disbanded,[6] Smith and Orzabal founded Tears for Fears in 1981.[7] Smith is the band's bass player[8] and co-lead vocalist.[9][10] Their debut studio album, 1983's The Hurting, reached no. 1 in the UK[11] and produced three international hit singles—"Mad World", "Change" and "Pale Shelter"—each with lead vocals performed by Smith.[12][13]

The duo's second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985) hit number one in the United States[14][15] and went multi-platinum.[16] The album yielded hits including "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (with Smith again on lead vocals),[17] "Shout," and "Head Over Heels" (which Smith co-wrote).[18]

The next Tears for Fears studio album, The Seeds of Love (1989), proved to be another international success. Smith's only lead vocal track on the album was "Advice for the Young at Heart".[19] Increasing tensions between Smith and Orzabal prompted Smith to leave the band in 1991,[20][21] and he moved to New York.[21]

In 2000, routine legal paperwork obligations led to Orzabal and Smith's first conversation in nearly a decade.[22] The two patched up their differences and, along with Smith's associate Charlton Pettus, began writing a new studio album—Everybody Loves a Happy Ending—released in 2004.[21]

"Mad World" was re-recorded by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for the soundtrack of the 2001 film Donnie Darko. A 2003 single release of the song reached number one in the UK for three consecutive weeks[23] and won Orzabal his second Ivor Novello Award.[24] The single re-ignited interest in the group's earlier work. Their 1992 Greatest Hits album was re-released and re-entered the UK Top 10 for several weeks, garnering its second UK platinum disc.[25]

In 2021, Smith and Roland Orzabal were honoured with the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.[26]

The seventh Tears for Fears studio album (the fifth with Smith as a member), The Tipping Point, was released in February 2022.[27]

Solo albums

[edit]

Soul on Board

[edit]
Main article: Soul on Board

After leaving Tears for Fears, Smith released his debut solo studio album, Soul on Board, in 1993. The album was unsuccessful in the UK, and was not released at all in the United States. Smith later claimed that he made the album purely to fulfill his recording contract with Mercury/Phonogram.[citation needed]

Mayfield and Aeroplane

[edit]

After moving to New York, Smith formed the band Mayfield with guitarist-producer Charlton Pettus. The band featured Russ Irwin and Doug Petty on keyboards, Smith himself on bass and vocals, and Shawn Pelton on drums. According to Smith, the name of the band was a play on words (Curt is Mayfield) based on the name of the legendary American soul singer Curtis Mayfield. The band was mostly a live act, but did release a self-titled studio album in 1998; it met with little success.[28]

Smith later released the solo studio album Aeroplane under his own name. In the U.S., this was a six-track EP, but in Canada and elsewhere, it was essentially the earlier Mayfield album combined with additional songs from the U.S. EP.[citation needed]

In October 2011, Smith announced on his website that he would re-release the Mayfield album on 15 November 2011.[29][better source needed] The new release, on his KOOK Media label, would include a bonus version of the song "Trees" featuring Janice Whaley.

Halfway, Pleased

[edit]
Main article: Halfway, Pleased
Smith in 2008

During 2000, Smith began work on what was to become Halfway, Pleased, but the project was put on hold when he began with Roland Orzabal again after almost a decade of silence. In 2006, Smith resumed work on Halfway, Pleased. The semi-autobiographical album explores Smith's relationships with his children, parents and friends.[citation needed] Smith finally released the album in the U.S. and the rest of the world in May 2008 via his own KOOK Media label.[30]

Smith made limited live concert appearances in the Los Angeles area to support Halfway, Pleased. In January 2009, he announced that he would perform a weekly residency at The Standard Hollywood in West Hollywood, CA during the month of February 2009.[31]

Deceptively Heavy

[edit]

Smith's fourth solo studio album, Deceptively Heavy, was released on 16 July 2013.[32]

"The Social Media Project"

[edit]

In January 2010, Smith released the standalone single "All Is Love" (featuring Zoë Keating), the first track in what he said would be an album-length project of collaborations with artists he had met via social media.[33] Smith met Keating, a contemporary classical cellist, via Twitter. The second track in the series, "Perfectly...Still (featuring Universal Hall Pass)" was released in August 2010.[34]

Collaborations

[edit]

Smith occasionally collaborates with other artists. He worked with the French singer So (Sophie Saillet) providing vocals on her track "Les Autres", and the pair worked together again on Smith's track "Seven of Sundays" (Saillet also appeared in both videos for the song).[citation needed] Smith is also featured on the Shadow Bureau's 2011 track "Don't Give Yourself Away" with artist Linda Strawberry,[35] inspired by the 2010 Australian film Griff the Invisible. In May 2011, Smith tweeted that he was working on a track with Junkie XL[36][better source needed] which features on JXL's studio album Synthesized (2012). He also recorded a vocal track for the American punk band American Eyes on their song entitled "The Day We Died" from the album Never Trust Anything That Bleeds (2005).[citation needed]

Soundtracks

[edit]

Smith and longtime collaborator Charlton Pettus composed and recorded the score for the 2011 film Meth Head (starring Lukas Haas)[37] and the 2015 film Gravy.[38]

Smith contributed an original song, "This Is Christmas", to an episode of the fifth season of the USA Network series Psych.[39]

"Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith"

[edit]

In August 2010, Smith debuted a live music web series, "Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith",[40] which he produced along with his manager Arlene Wszalek and Streamin' Garage CEO Mike Rotman. Each episode was devoted to a single featured artist. The band or musician played acoustic versions of their songs (the show was streamed live via Ustream); Smith interviewed them between sets, as well as took viewer questions via Skype and the show's chat room. Smith's guests included Hypnogaja, Carina Round, Chris Pierce, Peter Himmelman, Common Rotation, Gary Jules, All Day Sucker, the Daylights, Matthew Sweet, the Fallen Stars, Nightmare & the Cat, Whiskey Saints, Fitz and the Tantrums and Friendly Indians.[41]

Other activities

[edit]

In 1988, Smith appeared at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute performing "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", with accompanying musicians Phil Collins, Midge Ure and Mark Brzezicki on stage.[42]

Smith is an avid user and advocate of social media.[33] Since 2008, he has been asked to speak at a variety of social media, technology and creative conferences, including 140TC,[43] the Creative Commons Los Angeles Salon,[44] the 2010 ITV Fest,[45] TEDxHollywood[46] and TEDxSF.[47] He has also guest-lectured at the USC Annenberg School's graduate Online Communities program.[48][better source needed]

Smith has also tried his hand at acting. He had a minor role as a desk clerk in The Dead Connection (1994), and a more significant role as a professor in 2000's The Private Public.[49] Smith made a surprise appearance to open Psych's 2010 Comic Con panel,[50] where he sang onstage with Psych co-stars James Roday and Dulé Hill. Roday's character Shawn Spencer makes several proclamations throughout the series about his admiration for Tears for Fears, especially Smith. He then appeared, as himself, in the Psych episode "Shawn 2.0",[51] an episode for which he also wrote a variation of the opening theme. His single "This Is Christmas" later appeared in the episode "The Polarizing Express".[52] He again appeared as himself in the show's 100th episode, "100 Clues", in March 2013.[53] He also appeared in the series' penultimate episode "A Nightmare on State Street" as himself.[54] Most recently, he appeared as himself in Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021).

In September 2016, Smith and his drummer Jamie Wollam appeared in the "Orchard" with Ted Yoder to accompany him on a re-recording of his popular rendition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" played on the hammered dulcimer.[55]

Personal life

[edit]

Smith has been married twice. His first wife was Lynda "Lynne" Altman, whom he married in 1982. They divorced in 1988, and he then began a relationship with marketing executive Frances Pennington. They married in 1996 and now live in Los Angeles with their two daughters, born in 1999 and 2001.[56] Smith became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 2007.[57] He is a supporter of Manchester United and Los Angeles FC.[58]

Equipment

[edit]

Smith played a Steinberger L2 on stage from September 1982 through 1985, which he later gave to a roadie at the end of the Big Chair Tour in 1985.[59]

Below is a list of all the basses that Smith has used (in chronological order):

  • Peavey T-40 (1978 - 1981)
  • Yamaha BB1200 (1979 - 1983)
  • Aria Pro II (1982 - 1983)
  • Steinberger L2 (1982 - 1985)[59]
  • Alembic Series 1 (1983 - 1986)
  • Status Series II (1984 - 1985)[60]
  • Steinberger XP2 (1984 - 1985)
  • Warwick Thumb 5 String, fretless (1987 - 1990)
  • Warwick Thumb 4 String (1987 - 1998)
  • Hofner 500/2 Club (Early 2000's - 2019)
  • Duesenberg Starplayer (Orange, standard model) (2015 only)
  • Duesenberg Alliance Series Dropkick Murphys Bass (2019–Present)
  • Duesenberg Starplayer (Custom gold burst colour with TFF logo in-between pickups) (2022–Present)[61]

Discography

[edit]
See also: Tears for Fears discography

Solo

  • Soul on Board (1993)
  • Aeroplane (1999)
  • Halfway, Pleased (2008)
  • Deceptively Heavy (2013)

EP

  • Aeroplane (2000)

In Mayfield

  • Mayfield (1998)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Curt Smith

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Curt Smith (born 24 June 1961) is an English , , and best known as the co-lead vocalist, bassist, and co-founding member of the band , which he formed with childhood friend in 1981. Born in , , Smith met Orzabal as a teenager, where they bonded over shared musical influences including , leading to early collaborations in local bands before establishing . The duo's debut album, (1983), featured the UK top-10 single "Mad World" and explored themes of and , drawing from concepts. Their breakthrough came with (1985), which topped the and reached number one in the US, propelled by global hits like "" (number one in multiple countries) and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (US number one). The follow-up, (1989), also achieved commercial success, peaking at number one in the UK and featuring the single "," before Smith left the band in 1991 amid creative differences. During the 1990s hiatus, Smith pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album Soul on Board (1993) and forming the project Mayfield with Charlton Pettus, which issued a self-titled album in 1998; he later released the EP Aeroplane (2000) and Halfway, Pleased (2007). He also ventured into acting, with guest appearances on the TV series Psych. Smith reunited with Orzabal in the early 2000s, contributing to the album Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004, released as Tomcats Screaming Outside in some markets) and subsequent tours. The band received renewed acclaim with The Tipping Point (2022), their first original studio album in 18 years, which debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number eight on the US Billboard 200, addressing themes of grief and reconciliation following Orzabal's personal losses. In recent years, have maintained an active presence, releasing the live album Songs for a Nervous Planet ( 2024) with four new tracks including "The Girl That I Call Home," alongside a Tears for Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film) screened in theaters worldwide. The band toured extensively in 2024, including residencies at , and Smith made a surprise appearance at a band's performance in August 2025. In 2025, Smith went viral for an acoustic cover of "" performed with his daughter . Now residing in with his wife Frances Pennington and their children, Smith continues to co-write and perform, emphasizing the band's enduring appeal across generations.

Early life

Upbringing

Curt Smith was born on June 24, 1961, in , England, into a working-class family. He grew up in a modest, unstable household on the rough Snow Hill council estate, marked by financial hardships and family difficulties; his father worked as a waiter and died when Smith was 17. Smith's early interest in music developed during his teenage years, embracing the punk movement, exemplified by his enthusiasm for The Damned's records, which he introduced to friends as a stylistic influence. This exposure to punk and emerging new wave sounds in the mid-1970s Bath scene fueled his rebellious tendencies and laid the groundwork for his musical pursuits. In his adolescence, Smith formed initial musical bonds with amid Bath's local youth culture, meeting at age 14 through a mutual friend and connecting over shared experiences of troubled upbringings that shaped their emotional and creative outlook. He later attended , transitioning into a more structured environment.

Education

He attended Beechen Cliff School, a boys' grammar school in Bath, throughout the 1970s. The institution provided a structured educational environment typical of the era, emphasizing academic rigor for boys from various backgrounds. At Beechen Cliff, Smith bonded with peers over shared interests in music, fostering early creative exchanges and exploring instruments—Smith teaching himself bass guitar amid the vibrant local music scene. The school's social dynamics exposed Smith to diverse influences, including the emerging and punk movements, through interactions with peers who shared records and attended gigs in Bath. These encounters broadened his musical horizons beyond formal lessons, inspiring experimentation with genres that would later inform his work. This decision marked a pivotal shift from to professional pursuit, aligning with the post-compulsory schooling age in .

Music career

Graduate

Graduate was formed in 1978 in Bath, , by childhood friends Curt Smith and , who had met as teenagers at a local school, along with other young musicians including John Baker on guitar and vocals. The band emerged during the late mod revival and ska resurgence, with Smith on bass and vocals and Orzabal contributing guitar, keyboards, and lead vocals; their sound blended ska rhythms with punk energy and new wave elements, reflecting the era's influences. The group released their debut and only album, Acting My Age, in 1980 on Precision Records, a subsidiary of . Featuring 10 tracks such as the ska-tinged single "Elvis Should Play ," the album captured their youthful, energetic style but achieved only modest commercial reception. Graduate supported the release with a limited tour across the , performing in small venues and clubs, which garnered some local attention but failed to build broader momentum. The band disbanded in 1981 amid label challenges, including poor sales of Acting My Age, and internal creative tensions, as Smith and Orzabal sought greater control over their musical direction. This short-lived venture marked Smith and Orzabal's initial foray into professional music, honing their songwriting and performance skills before transitioning to new projects.

Tears for Fears

Curt Smith and , building on their earlier collaboration in the short-lived band , co-founded in Bath, , in 1981, transitioning from ska influences to a synth-pop sound inspired by primal therapy concepts. The duo signed with Phonogram Records ( in the UK) later that year through A&R manager Dave Bates, releasing their debut single "Suffer the Children" in 1981. Their early work emphasized introspective lyrics and electronic production, setting the stage for commercial success. The band's breakthrough came with their debut album in 1983, which topped the UK charts and featured the hit single "Mad World," reaching number three in the UK and later gaining renewed attention through a cover in the film . Follow-up singles like "Pale Shelter" and "Change" also charted, establishing Tears for Fears as a key act in the synth-pop movement. Their second album, (1985), propelled them to international stardom, including number-one hits in the US and UK with "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," the latter earning a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. The album's themes of emotional release and resonated widely, selling over five million copies worldwide. Tears for Fears' third album, The Seeds of Love (1989), marked a shift toward psychedelic rock influences with orchestral elements, featuring the UK top-five single "Sowing the Seeds of Love" and collaborations with artists like Oleta Adams. However, production delays and internal tensions culminated in Smith's departure from the band in 1991 due to creative differences, particularly over Orzabal's dominant role in songwriting and studio decisions, leading to an acrimonious split. Smith and Orzabal reconciled in 2000 after personal outreach, reuniting to record new material and embarking on a tour that reignited fan interest. This led to the release of Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004 (initially in in 2001 under a different title due to label issues), which blended their classic sound with mature reflections on life and relationships, charting in the UK top ten. The duo continued sporadic activity until the release of in 2022, their first full studio album in 18 years, addressing themes of loss and resilience amid the and personal tragedies, debuting at number eight on the 200. In 2021, Smith and Orzabal received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, recognizing their enduring songwriting partnership. The band's momentum carried into 2024 with the live album Songs for a Nervous Planet, capturing performances from their 2023 tour and including four new studio tracks such as "The Girl That I Call Home," which explores themes of ordinary life's sharp edges. That same year, they released the concert film Tears for Fears Live, documenting a high-energy show from their recent tour, and announced an exclusive three-night residency at Fontainebleau Las Vegas in October and November. The residency was extended with four additional dates in 2025. Throughout their live performances, Smith's contributions on bass guitar and backing vocals—often sharing lead duties—have been central to the duo's dynamic stage presence, enhancing the emotional depth of their catalog.

Solo career

Following his departure from Tears for Fears in 1991, Curt Smith embarked on a solo career, releasing his debut Soul on Board on September 6, 1993, through Vertigo and Phonogram Records. The self-produced effort incorporated rock and pop influences, featuring a mix of ballads, elements, and upbeat tracks such as "Calling Out" and "Beautiful to Me." Despite contributions from notable session musicians, the album achieved limited commercial success and did not chart significantly. In 1998, Smith formed the short-lived project Mayfield with guitarist Charlton Pettus, releasing the self-titled album Mayfield that year on the independent label IMMRR. The following year, he issued Aeroplane under his own name, an EP that expanded on the project's sound by blending electronic textures with acoustic instrumentation, including remixes and covers like "Pale Shelter" from his catalog. Tracks such as "Aeroplane" and "Trees" highlighted a more experimental, atmospheric approach compared to his debut. Smith's third solo album, Halfway, Pleased, arrived in 2007 via his own Zero X label, marking a shift toward folk-rock. The semi-autobiographical record explored themes of family and personal relationships, particularly his bonds with his children, through songs like "Perfect Day" and the title track, delivered in a stripped-back, acoustic style. Self-released and distributed primarily online, it reflected a more personal evolution in his songwriting during a period of relative creative independence. By 2013, Smith adopted a heavier, guitar-driven sound for his fourth solo album, Deceptively Heavy, released digitally on July 16 through his Zero X imprint. Featuring guest vocalists including on tracks like "Beautiful Failure" and "Hold It Together," the album emphasized raw emotional depth and rock edges, with production co-handled by Smith and Charlton Pettus. Standouts such as "Suffer the Silence" and "All Is Love" showcased a mature blend of and intensity. Throughout the 2010s, Smith experimented with "The Social Media Project," an ongoing series of standalone singles and covers released directly via platforms like SoundCloud and Twitter, starting with "All Is Love" (featuring Zoë Keating) in January 2010. This initiative allowed for spontaneous, collaborative online drops of originals and reinterpretations, bypassing traditional album formats. No full solo albums have followed Deceptively Heavy, as Smith has since prioritized reunions and new material with Tears for Fears. In October 2025, Smith released an acoustic cover of "Mad World" performed with his daughter Diva, which gained significant online attention.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Curt Smith has engaged in select s with other artists, often contributing his distinctive bass lines and vocals to projects outside of and his solo endeavors. These partnerships highlight his versatility as a , blending his pop sensibilities with diverse genres such as electronic, indie, and alternative sounds. One notable early came in 2007 when Smith dueted with French singer Sō (Sophie Saillet) on the track "Seven of Sundays" from his album Halfway, Pleased, where their harmonies added emotional depth to the introspective lyrics. He reciprocated by providing guest vocals on her song "Les Autres," showcasing his ability to integrate into non-English language recordings. In 2010, Smith teamed up with avant-garde cellist for the single "All Is Love," where her looping arrangements complemented his bass and vocal delivery, creating a layered, atmospheric piece that originated from a exchange between the two. This track exemplified Smith's openness to experimental indie collaborations, emphasizing his bass expertise in building rhythmic foundations for unconventional arrangements. Smith ventured into electronic music with Dutch producer Junkie XL (Tom Holkenborg) on the 2012 track "When Is Enough Not Enough" from the album Synthesized, where he supplied lead vocals over pulsating synths and beats, marking a fusion of his rock roots with dance-oriented production. Similarly, in 2011, he appeared on The Shadow Bureau's "Don't Give Yourself Away" alongside Linda Strawberry, contributing vocals to the song inspired by the film Griff the Invisible, which blended with narrative-driven themes. Smith has also made guest appearances on tracks by various indie artists, leveraging his bass skills in studio sessions to provide grounding grooves and harmonies, though these remain sporadic. No major collaborations have been noted since 2013, as his focus shifted toward reunions and live performances.

Other contributions

Soundtracks

Curt Smith has made notable contributions to film and television soundtracks through original compositions, often collaborating with longtime partner Charlton Pettus. His scoring work emphasizes atmospheric and narrative-driven music tailored to the medium's emotional demands. In 2011, Smith composed and recorded the original score for the independent film Meth Head, a drama starring that explores the impacts of addiction. This marked one of his early forays into film scoring, where he crafted music to underscore the story's tension and personal struggles. Smith's second film scoring project came in 2015 with the dark comedy , directed by . He provided the original music, including the track "All Is Love," which he co-wrote with Pettus and performed himself. Smith noted that he approached the score with a focus on enhancing the film's comedic elements over its horror aspects, having viewed the project extensively during production. For television, Smith contributed new compositions to the series across multiple episodes from the late to early . In the Season 5 premiere "Shawn 2.0" (2010), he created an electronic of the show's theme song, utilizing vintage synthesizers to evoke an '80s synth-pop vibe reminiscent of his roots. He also wrote and performed the original holiday song "This Is Christmas" for a fifth-season episode. Additionally, Smith recorded a cover of the theme for the show, blending his solo style with the series' quirky tone. These contributions often tied into his on-screen cameos, where he performed the music live within episodes. While some Tears for Fears tracks have been licensed for media use, Smith's soundtrack efforts prioritize fresh solo material, showcasing his versatility in adapting to visual storytelling.

Live performances and series

In August 2010, Curt Smith launched the web series Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith, a weekly live music program produced in collaboration with his manager Arlene Moon and streamed from The Streaming Garage in Los Angeles. The series featured intimate, acoustic performances by various guest bands and musicians, with Smith serving as host, interviewer, and occasional performer, including a notable duet with Gary Jules on "Mad World" in one episode. Running for at least 13 episodes primarily in 2010 and 2011, it showcased stripped-down arrangements of covers and originals in a casual studio setting, emphasizing raw musicality over production polish. The series received nominations for awards such as Best Variety Series and Best Host (Live) in 2011 from the of Web Television Awards (IAWTV). While not a platform for Smith's exclusive performances, it highlighted his bass playing and vocal contributions in select segments, fostering an interactive format with post-performance Q&A sessions. Episodes like those featuring , , and drew viewers interested in unplugged sessions, though the show aired intermittently thereafter without a formal continuation into the late . Outside the series, Smith made sporadic solo live appearances at intimate venues during periods away from , particularly in the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2008, he performed at small spots including The Bird Nest on June 10 and The Standard on October 14, delivering acoustic sets drawn from his solo catalog. These were followed by acoustic shows at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, such as a promotional performance on , 2010, and an extended solo set on May 4, 2012, during Brit Week, where he played bass-driven arrangements of tracks like "Reach Out" and "" alongside bandmate Charlton Pettus. No full-scale solo tours occurred after the release of his 2013 Deceptively Heavy, with the and occasional venue gigs serving as his main outlets for independent live work.

Additional pursuits

Acting and media appearances

Curt Smith has ventured into acting with a series of guest appearances and minor roles in television and film, often portraying himself or characters inspired by his musical persona. His most notable television work includes multiple cameos on the series Psych, where he played a version of himself across several episodes and films. In the season 5 episode "Shawn 2.0" (2010), Smith appeared as a performing at a suspect's poolside gathering, marking his debut on the show. He reprised the role in season 7's "100 Clues" (2013), season 8's "A Nightmare on State Street" (2014), and the 2021 film Psych 3: This Is Gus, contributing to the series' recurring gag of the protagonists mistaking others for him. These appearances, which often involved humorous scenarios tied to his fame, were praised for their self-deprecating charm, with Smith enduring like falls and chases in the name of the show's absurd humor. In film, Smith took on supporting roles in independent productions during the and . He debuted as a desk clerk in the thriller Dead Connection (1994), a minor part in a story about a targeting nightclub dancers. More prominently, he portrayed Nick Powell in the drama The Private Public (2001), a character who mentors a young student navigating personal and academic challenges in a college setting. In 2014, Smith appeared as a police detective in the horror-comedy Crazy Bitches, investigating a group of women on a deadly getaway, with his performance adding a layer of dry wit to the film's . He also made a guest appearance on the IFC series Comedy Bang! Bang! in 2015, participating in improvised musical segments alongside host . Beyond scripted roles, Smith has featured in music-focused media, including documentaries that explore his career with . He appeared in the 2020 of the series dedicated to the band's , providing insights into the album's recording process, creative tensions, and cultural impact through archival footage and new interviews. In 2024, he starred as himself in the concert film Tears for Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film), documenting the band's tour for their album . In October 2025, Smith performed an acoustic cover of "Mad World" with his daughter , which went viral. Smith has engaged in public speaking on the music industry's intersection with technology, particularly social media's role in artist promotion and fan engagement since the late 2000s. He has spoken at events such as TEDxHollywood, TEDxSan Francisco, the Billboard Film & TV Music Conference, and the Digital Entertainment World Conference, sharing strategies for leveraging platforms like and to build direct connections with audiences and drive sales. In a 2012 discussion, he emphasized how democratized music marketing, allowing independent artists to bypass traditional labels.

Advocacy and speaking

Curt Smith has been a vocal advocate for the transformative role of in the music industry, emphasizing its potential to empower artists by fostering direct connections with fans and enabling new forms of collaboration. Since 2008, he has spoken regularly at conferences on topics related to digital technology, creativity, and community building, including TEDxSan Francisco in 2010, where he discussed the evolving music landscape and the need to rewrite industry rules in light of direct fan engagement via platforms like . In a 2012 presentation at UCLA's Gravity Summit, Smith highlighted how allows artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers, share work organically, and cultivate loyal communities that drive sales and creative opportunities, drawing from his own experiments in discovering collaborators online. He has also appeared at events such as TEDxHollywood, the Film & TV Music Conference, and USC Annenberg's Online Communities program to explore these themes, positioning as a tool for artists to regain control in a democratized industry. Beyond speaking, Smith has engaged in public advocacy through participation in charity initiatives, leveraging his platform to support community causes. In 2003, he performed at the Grand Slam for Children benefit concert for the Charitable Foundation, alongside artists like and . Smith maintains active ties to fan communities, often using to host interactive sessions and share insights that strengthen bonds beyond traditional performances. This approach aligns with his broader emphasis on authentic, artist-fan relationships as a cornerstone of sustainable creative careers.

Personal life

Family

Curt Smith was first married to Lynda "Lynne" Altman in December 1982; the couple divorced in 1988. In 1996, Smith married marketing executive Frances Pennington, with whom he has maintained a partnership spanning nearly three decades. The couple has two daughters: , born in 1999, and Wilder, born in 2001. Both daughters have shown interest in creative pursuits, particularly . Diva Smith, performing under her own name and occasionally as Lady , released three singles in 2025—"Better in Heaven," "Put Back Together a Friend," and "I Can See in the Dark"—marking her emergence as an independent artist. Smith has described his family as a central influence on major life decisions, including relocations, noting that his daughters' and activities have shaped his movements between the U.S. and other locations. This emphasis on familial bonds echoes the values instilled during his early upbringing in Bath, .

Residences and citizenship

Curt Smith grew up in Bath, England, where he was raised on the Snow Hill council estate. Following the early success of Tears for Fears in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Smith relocated to London to advance his music career, aligning with the band's recording and promotional activities in the capital. After leaving the band in 1991, Smith moved to the United States, initially residing in New York City for approximately six to seven years, where he met and married Frances Pennington in 1996. In the late 1990s (around 1997-1998), he relocated to Los Angeles, California, with his family. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in August 2007 while retaining his British citizenship, a decision facilitated by his long-term residency and family ties in America. Smith currently resides in a suburb of , in the Hollywood Hills area near and Laurel Canyon, a location that has enabled deeper engagement with the American music scene through local performances, collaborations, and residencies such as his extended run at The Standard Hollywood in 2009.

Equipment

Bass guitars

Curt Smith began his professional career playing bass with the band in the late , using a Peavey T-40 for live gigs during this period. Transitioning to Tears for Fears in the early 1980s, he recorded the debut album The Hurting (1983) using a Yamaha BB1200, which he later recalled for its tonal challenges in the studio, and an Alembic bass (likely a Series I model) that provided versatile live performance capabilities, as seen in the 1985 "Shout" music video performance. For the band's 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair, Smith relied on a Steinberger L2, acquired in September 1982 specifically for its distinctive headless design and clear tone, which he used extensively in both studio sessions and live tours until the end of the Big Chair Tour. He supplemented this with two Status S2 basses during the era: a red model featured in the "Mothers Talk" and "Shout" videos, and a brown one for live appearances like the 1985 Montreux Festival. In the late and , particularly for the The Seeds of Love (1989) world tour and events like the 1990 , Smith played Warwick Thumb basses, including a fretless 5-string UF model for added melodic flexibility. Entering the with solo projects and reunion activities, he incorporated a 59DC short-scale bass for the 2003 Grand Slam for Children event, appreciating its unique vintage vibe. He also employed a Hofner Ignition Club Bass around this time, valued for its subtle, rhythmic low-end support in performances. Since the late , Smith's setup has centered on models for their modern playability and custom options, including the Alliance Series Bass acquired in mid-2019 for touring and new album recordings. By 2022, he adopted two Starplayer Basses—one in full orange and a custom gold burst featuring the logo—for live use, stating that all three of his current basses are from the brand. Additionally, he briefly used an Roadstar II RB850 in the thematic third version of the "" video and a XP-2 for a 1985 TV performance of "Head Over Heels."

Amplifiers and effects

Throughout his career, Curt Smith has favored robust amplification setups that deliver a classic rock-infused tone, particularly during the 1980s with . In the and , Smith's preferences shifted toward cleaner, more versatile amplification for his solo work and intermittent band activities, adopting heads like the 2001RB series to achieve articulate tones with reduced distortion. These amps, often paired with neo cabs for portability, supported the nuanced bass lines in his solo albums such as Soul on Board (1993, reissued in later years) and live settings. Smith's effects approach has remained minimalistic, emphasizing simplicity in live rigs to maintain focus on . His pedalboard stayed compact, typically under five units, to prioritize reliability during extended tours. Following the 2009 reunion of , Smith's setup modernized for the 2022-2024 tours, integrating digital modelers like the Darkglass Vintage Ultra preamp pedal for amp simulation and added grit directly in the . This allowed emulation of vintage tones onstage while enabling quick adjustments via DI, complemented by FOH compression like the OptTronik LA-2A for consistent output across his varied bass models.

Discography

With Tears for Fears

Curt Smith co-founded Tears for Fears with Roland Orzabal in 1981, serving as co-lead vocalist, bassist, and co-songwriter on the band's releases. The duo's collaborative efforts produced five studio albums during Smith's initial tenure through 2004 and their reunion period, with Smith earning co-writing credits on numerous key tracks, including "Head Over Heels," "Sowing the Seeds of Love," and several from later albums like Everybody Loves a Happy Ending and The Tipping Point. To date, Tears for Fears have sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Studio Albums

The band's debut album, The Hurting (1983), featured Smith's lead vocals on hits like "Mad World" and explored themes of emotional pain through synth-pop arrangements; it topped the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the BPI for sales exceeding 300,000 units in the UK. Their breakthrough second album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985), marked a shift to more expansive production with live instrumentation; it reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified 5× Platinum by the RIAA for over 5 million units sold in the US. The Seeds of Love (1989), influenced by psychedelic rock, included Smith's co-writing on the title track and "Woman in Chains"; it peaked at No. 8 on the US Billboard 200 and earned Platinum certification from the RIAA for 1 million units sold in the US. After a hiatus, the reunion album Everybody Loves a Happy Ending (2004) showcased Smith's increased songwriting involvement, co-crediting eight of its twelve tracks; it debuted at No. 45 on the US Billboard 200 but received no major certifications. The Tipping Point (2022), their first new material in 18 years, featured Smith co-writing all tracks alongside Orzabal and producer Charlton Pettus; it debuted at No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 8 on the US Billboard 200, though it has not yet received certifications.

Notable Singles

Tears for Fears' singles from these albums, often featuring Smith's prominent vocals, achieved significant commercial success:

Live Album

In 2024, released Songs for a Nervous Planet, their first official live , recorded at the FirstBank Amphitheater in , on July 11, 2023; it includes performances of classics like "" and "" alongside four new studio tracks co-written by Smith and Orzabal.

Solo releases

Curt Smith's solo discography spans several and projects, primarily released during periods away from his work with , showcasing a range of styles from pop-rock to electronic and introspective material. His debut effort, Soul on Board (1993, ), featured 11 tracks including the lead single "Calling Out," but the achieved limited commercial success and failed to chart significantly in the UK. In the late , Smith ventured into electronic music under the Mayfield moniker with collaborator Charlton Pettus. The album Mayfield (1998, Zerodisc) was a limited-release project with 10 tracks emphasizing atmospheric and synth-driven sounds, later reissued in expanded form in 2011 on his Kook Media label. A related EP, Aeroplane (2000, Rialto Records), contained 5 tracks building on similar electronic themes and served as a companion to the Mayfield work. Smith's independent releases in the reflected a more personal approach. Halfway, Pleased (2007, Kook Media), an 11-track released under a , explored autobiographical themes of family and relationships, with standout tracks like "Seven of Sundays" and "If I Ever Had to Cry." It was distributed digitally and physically in limited quantities, prioritizing artistic expression over mainstream promotion. In 2013, Smith issued Deceptively Heavy (self-released via Kook Media), a 11-track album blending rock and pop elements, featuring singles "1999" and "All Is Love" (the latter originally from his earlier projects). The record received positive fan reception but, like his prior solo efforts, did not achieve notable chart performance. Between 2010 and 2013, Smith experimented with "The Project," a series of digital EPs and singles distributed via online platforms, incorporating covers and original compositions created in with artists discovered through . This initiative, starting with the single "All Is Love" (featuring ), highlighted his embrace of digital distribution and fan engagement, though it remained outside traditional commercial channels. In 2024, Smith released Bossa Perspectives (Midnight Flowers), a 10-track album featuring instrumental and vocal tracks such as "Certe Volte" and "Dedicated to You," marking a departure into jazz-influenced sounds. Overall, Smith's solo output has garnered a dedicated following but modest sales in comparison to his band work, with no significant chart success after 1993.

References

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