Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears formed in Bath in 1981, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith developing a sound rooted in synth-pop and new wave that was immediately ambitious and emotionally complex. Orzabal's songwriting drew on Arthur Janov's primal therapy in ways that gave their music a psychological depth unusual in the synth-pop genre, and the duo's combination of melodic directness and emotional intensity gave them an immediate impact.

'The Hurting' (1983) was a strong debut, but 'Songs from the Big Chair' (1985) was their masterpiece — a record of extraordinary melodic power that produced 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World', 'Shout', and 'Head Over Heels' and became one of the best-selling British albums of the decade. The album's combination of synth-pop grandeur and emotional depth made it one of the defining British records of the mid-1980s.

Tears for Fears have continued to record and perform with remarkable longevity, releasing 'The Tipping Point' (2022) to strong reviews after a lengthy hiatus. They are one of the most enduring acts of the mid-1980s British synth-pop scene — a duo whose combination of melodic gifts, emotional depth, and Orzabal's extraordinary songwriting has sustained a devoted global following for four decades.