"Tears for Fears", an English pop rock band formed in Bath, Somerset, in 1981, by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, emerged following the disbandment of their previous group, Graduate, which had a mod-influenced style. Associated with the new wave synthesizer bands of the 1980s, Tears for Fears became part of the Second British Invasion and achieved international success.
Their debut album, "The Hurting" (1983), quickly climbed to the top of the UK Albums Chart, while its hit singles, including "Mad World," "Change," and "Pale Shelter," all secured top positions on the UK Singles Chart. The band's second album, "Songs from the Big Chair" (1985), reached number one on the US Billboard 200, attaining multi-platinum status in both the UK and the US. This album featured two number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." The latter earned them the Brit Award for Best British Single in 1986.
Following the success of "Songs from the Big Chair," Tears for Fears released their third album, "The Seeds of Love" (1989), which debuted at number one in the UK and spawned the transatlantic hit "Sowing the Seeds of Love."
However, after completing the tour for "The Seeds of Love" in 1990, Smith and Orzabal experienced a bitter split. Orzabal continued using the Tears for Fears name for his solo work, releasing albums such as "Elemental" (1993), which produced the international hit "Break It Down Again," and "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" (1995). In 2000, Orzabal and Smith reconciled, leading to the release of the album "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" in 2004. Since then, the duo has been touring periodically.
After nearly a decade in development, Tears for Fears released their seventh album, "The Tipping Point," in 2022. The album became their sixth UK Top 5 album and achieved their highest chart peak in 30 years. It also reached the Top 10 in various other countries, including the US.
In 2021, Orzabal and Smith received the Ivor Novello Award for "Outstanding Song Collection," recognizing their era-defining Tears for Fears albums and critically acclaimed, innovative hit singles.
With a rich history spanning over four decades, Tears for Fears continues to captivate audiences with their unique blend of pop and rock, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
