 The creative process was unusual, consisting of Hayes requesting various changes from Jones to build up the song he had in mind.Darren Hayes described it as a ""hipster-retroist"" tribute to the New Wave acts of the 1980s, citing Duran Duran and George Michael as key inspirations.He clarified that "Tears of Pearls" was meant to be a ""theatrical"" number which he thought would be great to open Savage Garden's live shows and tours.