According to the
Elemental EPK, the song is an account of an encounter with a German photographer who was trying to take pictures of
Roland Orzabal 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 describe this event. The song's lyrics, written by Orzabal, also contain 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 Tears for Fears keyboardist and one time co-writer Nicky Holland whose nickname was "Nockles". Orzabal also takes a swipe at former Tears for Fears business manager Paul King 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 10 years. ==Releases==