Mad World
I caught the beginning of Top of the Pops 2 this evening, and heard that they were going to be featuring the brilliant version of the Tears For Fears song Mad World by Gary Jules which closed the equally fantastic film Donnie Darko. So I grimly stuck it out through a pile of 80s trash (‘The Lambada’, anyone?), albeit with a few gems sprinkled in it (Roxy Music), because of course they put Mad World on last.
The song is completely stunning, and the video is pretty special too. I think that it’s a bit of a shame that Tears For Fears didn’t use a similar arrangement in the original version; the lyrics are so stark and beautiful that they deserve to be heard properly, accompanied only by a quiet piano part. Still, it was the 80s and big synths and over-wrought vocals were where it was at.
Gary Jules’ latest album, Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets sounds like it would be worth a proper listen. It’s another one for the Christmas list, I think.
1
I, too, love that version of that song.----- yep, i too sought it out after watching donnie darko. this version definitely adds a hitherto unsuspected dimension to the song -- as you say: stunning. now i'll have to try and find the video!
by dvd @ 27/11/2003 7:12 pm • Permalink •
2
Craig Pilling played this on his late show a few nights ago (http://www.sbn.co.uk), which inspired me to watch the film again and muddle through the website again and listen to that version again and again and again
by James Adam @ 30/11/2003 11:11 pm • Permalink •
3
Absolutely brilliant - credit goes to Gary Jules for recognising the power of the lyrics in the original version and providing us all with a second chance to appreciate them.
by david moore @ 02/12/2003 3:13 pm • Permalink •
4
Loved the song on the first listen. but hey, don't diss the Lambada!! Nice thongs!!!
by Paul Clarke @ 02/12/2003 5:13 pm • Permalink •
5
I heard it while suffering from a bout of insomnia last night. I was convinced I had a nightmare and it could not be reality when I woke up. TfF definitely did the better version.
by Lou @ 06/12/2003 2:13 pm • Permalink •
6
I was driving my car when this song came on. Racking my brains trying to work out where I knew the lyrics from, and half way through I came up with, Mad World by tears for fears. This mark 2 version is much slower than the original. The original speed showed the manic speed of a mad world, but this puts a totally different slant to the song. Not having seen the film I do not know what context it's played in, but this hits a person at their lowest ebb, almost music to top yourself with. The original was ok, but this is ten times better.
by Steve Taylor @ 08/12/2003 2:12 pm • Permalink •
7
I have never heard anything so poignant and haunting in my life. The first time I heard it I felt memsmerised as if this person knew what was going on inside my very soul.I have not heard the tears for fears version so can make no comment. thankyou for posting the title of the album, sounds . . . interesting.
by corinne @ 09/12/2003 10:12 pm • Permalink •
8
Yeah it's a excellent version of the track; and as voiced above used to great effect in Donnie Darko. In fact all the music in Donnie Darko was well chosen and used - 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division in the party scene is top notch !
One thing though, who is Gary Jules ? I thought it was REM when I first heard it - I'm sure Michael Stipe would take this blatant copying of his vocal style as a compliment ( or maybe not ? )
by Stephen Carbery @ 10/12/2003 10:12 am • Permalink •
9
If you like the song, please go out and buy âThe Hurtingâ by TFF - the album from which Mad World is taken. Its full of introspective lyrics and challenging subject matter. Enjoy.
by Andy @ 01/01/2004 1:01 pm • Permalink •
10
I agree with the guy who thought it sounded like REM. Best cover since Roxy music did jealous guy.
by Trugger @ 02/01/2004 10:01 am • Permalink •
11
does anyone know who wrote the song in the first place? Need it for a contemporary cultures essay...
by melanie @ 06/01/2004 5:01 pm • Permalink •
12
I first heard this in early December and thought that it was a stunning rework of the original. I have the latter on vinyl somewhere at home and didn't realise just how good the song was until mark 2 came out. I agree with the sentiment of earlier comments; it really does grab something inside you.
by Dave @ 07/01/2004 12:02 pm • Permalink •
13
I agree with you all! It�s a wonderful song! But I have heard a women singing this song, I have only heard half of it! Anyway its very good to but I don�t know who it is. Any one who knows?
by Mathias @ 11/01/2004 12:01 pm • Permalink •
14
Yea, I want to know aswell. It's on the commercials for the ER in Sweden.
by gil @ 17/01/2004 6:01 pm • Permalink •
15
Ps, talking of REM, Alex Parks also tortured REM'S version of everybody hurts. arghhhhhhhhh
by Nick @ 18/01/2004 1:01 am • Permalink •
16
The girl in question is Alex Parks winner of ukâs Fame Academy
by Nick @ 18/01/2004 1:02 am • Permalink •
17
Can't those who ask for who it was who did it in the first place just look at the things the other people wrote before you? They have said over and over again that it's tears for fears. Is it that hard to read before asking? And no it's not REM who sing Mad World, it's Gary Jules.
The tears for fears song is much worse than Gary Jules version of it. Gary Jules singing has much more feeling to it, he just don't sing, he sing with emotions.
Mvh Donnie
by Donnie @ 21/01/2004 3:01 pm • Permalink •
18
Quote: And no itâs not REM who sing Mad World, itâs Gary Jules :Unquote
No one said it WAS R.E.M! it was stated that when they first heard it it âsoundedâ like michael stipe, which i will also agree on when i âfirstâ heard it. Maybe you should read just a little more carefully also!
by Nick @ 22/01/2004 5:02 pm • Permalink •
19
I just heard this song (Mad World) as my 6:3o AM alarm clock went off this morning 1/30/04 (KINK FM in Portland). My wife and I knew every word and were totally convinced it was REM. It turns out we knew it from one of our favorite movies Donnie Darko⦠IT WAS ALSO on THIRD WATCH Tonight! FYI It is WRITTEN by ROLAND ORZABAL of Tears For Fears (they did a VERY different version of it⦠available on their 1992âs âTears Roll Down Greatest hits 82-92â and 1982âs âThe Hurtingâ).
by Robert B @ 31/01/2004 7:01 am • Permalink •
20
i love the song, anyone who dosn't can slip down the stairs
by Bob @ 02/02/2004 11:02 pm • Permalink •
21
i just heard this song redone for a rather sad t.v advert. i knew it was from donnie darko but didnt know who did the two vers. till i came to this page.. thanks..
by Noel @ 05/02/2004 4:03 am • Permalink •
22
check out the video to this song:
http://www.video-c.co.uk/frontend/asp/microshow.asp?vidref=mich002&FileType=ADSLprog
This song is gorgeous. The great thing: it just floats on by, not really changing that much, and yet it takes you so far. I admire music that can do that. Anyone ever heard any Samual Barber (classical composer)? Listen to his piano concerto, mvmt. #2. It kind of does the same thing.
by Jon Kulpa @ 19/02/2004 7:02 pm • Permalink •
23
HI
Does anyone know the name of the eighties tune near the beginning of Donnie Darko? The one which is playing on the first scene you see him walking into the school and down the corridors? There's kind of a slow motion thing going on.
by Gina @ 22/02/2004 8:03 pm • Permalink •
24
love the new film clip, love the original song.
by kim @ 06/05/2004 9:05 pm • Permalink •
Page 1 of 1 pages