The song Mad World was written and originally recorded by English duo Tears for Fears (Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith) in 1982, produced by Chris Hughes, a former drummer with Adam And The Ants and was released in 1983 on their debut album, The Hurting.
Several covers of this song have been released, with the one by Gary Jules probably being the most popular. There are other covers worth mentioning; here I list some of them: which one is your favorite?
Let’s start with the original, by Tears For Fears, vocals by Curt Smith:
Tears For Fears – Mad World. Download MP3
Mad World by Gary Jules, almost 20 years after the original version, featured in the Donnie Darko movie soundtrack (2001). Many people mistakenly credit this version to R.E.M.! Probably because of Michael Stipe‘s voice sounding very close to Gary Jules (or the other way around). I even see some videos posted on YouTube with R.E.M.’s photos and Gary Jules singing. It doesn’t take much to do a little research if you’re in doubt…
Gary Jules – Mad World. Download MP3
In 2009 the talent show American Idol gave us this version of Mad World by Adam Lambert:
MP3 Download: Adam Lambert – Mad World
Mad World by Susan Boyle, a simple woman who became an international star after her appearance at Britain’s Got Talent:
Susan Boyle – Mad World. MP3 Download
Gothic Version of Mad World:
Gregorian cover version – Masters Of Chant Chapter VI
Metal cover by Dethotica (no vocals):
Her accent is kind of heavy, but look past that and appreciate her voice: Qui Tianqi, from the Chinese show The Voice of China:
This is only a very short list of Mad World covers, countless of them are out there.
Mad World lyrics:
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
And their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
‘Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very
Mad world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
‘Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
Enlarging your world
Mad world
