The Hurting

The Hurting is the debut album by Tears for Fears, released on 7 March 1983 on Mercury Records.^[4] Recorded in London between 1981 and 1983 with producers Chris Hughes and Ross Cullum, it takes its duo's name from Arthur Janov's book Prisoners of Pain, and Janov's primal therapy ideas shaped Roland Orzabal's songs about childhood trauma and depression.^[4]

Reviews at release were mixed, but the album reached number one in the UK, produced three top-five singles in "Mad World," "Change" and "Pale Shelter," and has since been reassessed as a landmark of thoughtful synth-pop.^[4]