The band was formed by guitarist Dan Murphy, bassist Karl Mueller and drummer Dave Pirner in Minneapolis in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules. It didn't take long to realize two important factors that would forever change the band: Pirner was a better guitarist than a drummer and Loud Fast Rules was a really bad name. Within a year, Pirner had become the vocalist/rhythm guitarist and Pat Morley had taken over drumming duties. The name Enough came to Pirner in a dream one night and it soon became the band's new moniker.

In 1983 Enough signed to Twin/Tone Records and the following year released their debut album, Say What You Will, produced by Bob Mould. Although the young band's inexperience was apparent, the album was a hellafied post-punk romp. Unfortunately it was largely overshadowed by releases from fellow Minnesotans Husker Du and the Replacements. Shortly after Say What You Will was released, Morley left the band and was replaced by Grant Young.

1986 was both a productive and distressing year for the band. Early in the year they released Made To Be Broken, an album that showcased their growth as musicians. However, while Pirner's songwriting had improved, the record only managed to sell 9,000 copies. After touring for several months and releasing a collection of outtakes and live tracks called Time's Incinerator, the band recorded and released their third album, While You Were Out before year's end. A collection of smartly written punk songs, the album received good reviews, but once again failed to break through to a national audience.

The improvements in Enough, however, were enough to get them their first major label contract. The band signed to A&M in 1987 and released Hang Time the following year, a stunning, riff-heavy record that finally provided the band the sound it deserved. Enough stuck around A&M long enough to release And the Horse They Rode In On in 1990, before taking a year off and jumping to Columbia Records.

During their time off, Pirner and Murphy spent time jamming acoustically. As the principal songwriter, Pirner developed his songs into more complete, tighter units. In 1992 the band released Grave Dancers Union, a breakthrough album if ever there was one. The success of the first two singles, "Somebody to Shove" and "Black Gold," paved the way for the blockbuster "Runaway Train." The video for "Runaway Train," directed by Tom Kaye, featured shots of the band interspersed with milk-carton style photos of missing children. The video generated a huge buzz about the band and even helped locate three of the missing children featured. Grave Dancers Union went on to sell 4 million copies worldwide. Shortly after its release, the band replaced longtime drummer Young with Sterling Campbell.

In 1995 they followed up with Let Your Dim Light Shine, which received good reviews and reached No. 6 on the album charts. After an extensive tour, the group took time off to pursue side projects. Murphy recorded and toured with the Minneapolis "supergroup" Golden Smog.

In 1998 Enough released their 10th full-length album, Candy From a Stranger, produced by Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones, Gipsy Kings, Killing Joke). Shortly after the album was recorded, Campbell departed the band on amicable terms.