Roland Orzabal

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Rankings

Covers

Records

Roland Orzabal's songwriting has earned him some of the music industry's most prestigious honors. The Ivor Novello Award for "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" places him among the finest British songwriters. His work with Tears for Fears has been recognized on multiple all-time greatest lists, including Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums and Songs. The band's enduring popularity is reflected in billions of streams and sold-out tours decades after their peak. Orzabal's ability to craft emotionally resonant, intellectually rich songs has built a devoted global fanbase that spans generations.

AwardsOrzabal won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 1986 for Songs from the Big Chair (as part of Tears for Fears) and the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" in 1986, shared with Curt Smith and Ian Stanley. He has also received multiple ASCAP awards for songwriting.

Rankings & Lists

#305

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

Rolling Stone·2020

#156

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Rolling Stone·2021

#188

NME's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

NME·2014

Billboard's Greatest of All Time Adult Contemporary Songs

Billboard·2018

#16

VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s

VH1·2006

Magazine Covers

Rolling Stone

1985-06

The New British Invasion

Q Magazine

1995-10

Roland Orzabal: The Tears for Fears Frontman on His Spanish Roots

Mojo

2022-02

Tears for Fears: The Comeback Album

Records & Feats

Longest music video for 'Shout' (director's cut)

Music Video·1985

Tears for Fears held a Guinness World Record in the 1980s for the longest music video, the director's cut of 'Shout'.