Every '80s mix deserves at least one Tears for Fears track; their dark, percussive synth-pop helped define that generation. The English duo debuted their catchy fusion of drum machines, soaring synths and pleading vocals in 1981—a combination that juxtaposed well with some rather bleak lyrics ("Mad World"). By the time they added searing guitar to the percolating synths of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and the moody sprawl of galvanising rocker "Shout", they had cemented their influence, giving them freedom to experiment with more whimsical, Beatles-esque pop, even into the ‘00s.