Tears for Fears

United Kingdom, 1981–now

Bath duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, named after a term from primal therapy. The Hurting and Songs from the Big Chair, with 'Shout' and 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World', combine synth-pop with rock arrangement.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Tears for Fears and 0 artists Tears for Fears influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Tears for Fears?

• Tubeway Army — Hearing Tubeway Army's 'Are "Friends" Electric?' (1979) turned Orzabal and Smith toward electronic music — the spark of the Tears for Fears sound.
• Depeche Mode — Depeche Mode were among the synth-pop acts that assured Tears for Fears' electronic direction.
• The Human League — The Human League's synth-pop helped confirm Tears for Fears' turn to electronic pop.
• Joy Division — Roland Orzabal was drawn to Joy Division, whose bleak emotional themes fed the darker undercurrent of Tears for Fears.