Tears for Fears maintains influence

You don’t have synth pop without the ‘80s, and you don’t have the ‘80s without Tears for Fears. The electronic rock duo debuted right at the cusp of the ‘80s in 1981.

Starting in England, the band achieved international success in a few short years. Not counting their reunion, the band stayed a music staple until well into the ‘90s.

Most people today know of Tears for Fears via newer bands performing covers of their songs. For example, Coldplay covers Tears for Fears song “Mad World,” a song that was a hit for both bands years later.

Relient K also covers, “Everybody wants to Rule the World,” in their “K is for Karaoke” album released in 2011.

The muscial influence of Tears for Fears has been underestimated. Though they were not the most prominent band of the ‘80s, they have certainly survived.

The band’s strength isn’t in their music, as much as it is in their writing. Like Dolly Parton, their version of the song is fine, but it’s the reproductions that make their songs famous.

Tears for Fears was bold. Other bands respected them for that, keeping their work alive through the ages. Today, Tears for Fears songs seem terribly dated in the original form. There’s something about their synthesizers that just screams ‘80s.

If you’re into that, and trebly modulated trumpets are your thing, then Tears for Fears will be a name that you will want to keep on your Spotify play-list. For the rest of us, Tears for Fears will take a moment to sink in.

Once your ears accept the cool synth sax, you’ll see that their writing is genius. It will hit you slowly, but surely. The lyrics have some depth, but remain easily accessible.

Behind their lyrics, Tears for Fears forms a true atmosphere that draws the listener into the poetry. You may not want to buy their vinyl, but you’ll recognize them the next time they’re covered and impress all of your hipster friends.