Dangling Conversations

Colour commentary on the world we live in

Mad World - Gary Jules

Posted 04 Mar, 2005 at 09:01 by blue in /Music | Permanent link

So, I always have a song going through my head. It's just something I do. If you were to stop me at any point during the day, I could tell you what song is running through my head at that moment.

Today's song is something I heard while watching an episode of Medical Investigation. I can't quote the whole thing here without permission, but I'll quote a couple of lines from the chorus:

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
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles its a very very
Mad world
Mad world

The song is called Mad World and is by Gary Jules... apparently is was in the soundtrack for Donny Darko as well.

I don't know that it is, either lyrically or instrumentally anything special, but the haunting quality of it combined with the lyrics above have stuck with me. If you get a chance, you should find a copy and have a listen.

Comments (3 comments so far)
I really like that cover of "Mad World" (originally by "Tears for Fears"), though in large part because of its association with Donnie Darko. You can actually hear it by going to Gary Jules' site.
Posted 2005/3/4 09:31:06 by Nikita
I'm with Nikita on this one: the song's pretty great on its own, but its appearance in Donnie Darko is nothing short of amazing, and that's what really sells it to me.

Oddly, the original isn't particularly special; that is, it's pretty typical Tears for Fears power-pop, with random horn interjections and orchestral shots and the whole bit. It's well-constructed and all, but doesn't stand out above, say, Head over heels or Everybody wants to rule the world. Jules takes the song and goes for simplicty, and reveals it as beautiful and poignant.
Posted 2005/3/4 10:49:46 by Matt
This has been one of my favorites for a couple of years now...and is one of the ones that I often find just drifting through my head.
Posted 2005/3/4 14:56:14 by wendy
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