Tears for Fears, consisting of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, emerged as a synth pop group with a penchant for exploring weighty themes inspired by primal scream therapy. Their debut album, The Hurting, garnered success in the UK, paving the way for international fame with the release of Songs from the Big Chair in 1985. The duo's subsequent album, The Seeds of Love, marked a shift towards a more complex sound. Following Smith's departure in the early '90s, Orzabal continued to lead Tears for Fears on a more niche trajectory.

Orzabal and Smith, childhood acquaintances from Bath, England, bonded over shared experiences of broken homes and a fascination with primal scream therapy. After forming Tears for Fears in the early '80s, the band achieved commercial success with hit singles like "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Shout." The duo's later albums, including The Seeds of Love and Elemental, showcased a progression towards more introspective and experimental musical directions. Despite internal conflicts and solo endeavors, Orzabal and Smith reunited in 2004 for the album Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, marking a return to collaborative efforts after a lengthy hiatus.