Tears for Fears
Eighties synth-pop duo from Bath
Tears for Fears is a British pop duo formed in 1981, known for synthesizer-driven new wave hits like "Shout," "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," and "Mad World." The band name comes from primal therapy terminology—the idea that repressed pain can be released through emotional expression.
Their sound defined much of 1980s pop radio.
- synth-popSynthesizer-based pop music
- 1980sFourth-to-last twentieth-century decade
- new waveEmerging trend or movement
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- BritishOf the United Kingdom
emotional · atmospheric · synthesizers · angst · introspective · Donnie Darko · rain · weeping · sorrow · catharsis · haunting · echo · reverb · dark · yearning · anthemic
- British MusicThe Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
- 1985Live Aid, Back to the Future, The Breakfast Club, Gorbachev, WrestleMania
- EuropopABBA, Ace of Base, Aqua, Roxette, Vengaboys
- duosSonny and Cher, The Everly Brothers, Lennon and McCartney, The Righteous Brothers, Righteous Brothers
- Pop RockThe Beatles, Beatles, Coldplay, Maroon 5, OneRepublic
- Rock Hall of FameBon Jovi, Elton John, U2, Metallica, David Bowie
Tears for FearsWham!
Bananarama · The Pointer Sisters · Village People · Milli Vanilli · Kylie Minogue
Tears for FearsMichael Jackson
Madonna · George Michael · Phil Collins · Whitney Houston · Peter Gabriel
tears, tear, fears, fear, tearing, tore, fearful, fearless, fearsome