The early 80's was a new era for both technology (the internet and personal computers) and music (synthesizers and drum machines). It gave rise to a new form of popular music called "synth-pop," and one of the best examples of that came in the spring of 1983 with the release of the debut album by Tears For Fears.

Co-leaders Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith channeled childhood traumas into emotionally charged and instantly catchy songs that helped carry The Hurting into the top ten on Canadian album charts, and number 1 in their homeland of the U.K. 

Randy Renaud has the story behind it on the Chronicles of Rock.