Mad World xmas no. 1
 

I don't know if this is a peculiarly British thing, but we make a pretty big deal of who is number one in the UK music charts over Christmas. This year, it's that cover of Tears for Fears 'Mad World' by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews. It was featured in the movie 'Donnie Darko'.

If you've heard it, what do you think of it, and how do you think it compares to the original? I just 'acquired' the TfF original, and it's not nearly as nice. The over production of it makes it seem a bit empty, even though the lyrics are so nice.

I love the Donnie Darko version of this song much more than the original, as the melody seems more appropriate for the lyrics, which are also more subdued.

However, since the movie came out some time ago, I'm amazed that this song is topping UK charts at this time. Weird. I hope people don't play it during Christmas dinner, as it would put a damper on the festivities!

Its an awesome song with great vocals to help it along. I love the way the cello comes in and seems to enrich the song.
The Gary Jules version is much better than the original in my opinion. The tears for fears original is too chinsy, manufactured, and 80's synth, whereas the gary jules version is sung straight to the heart. The TfF version does not suit the lyrics at all.

well i've never heard the original but i think this version is really awesome and emotional just like the lyrics. it went great with donnie darko.

wow, it took this long for that to make the charts? damn.

greeeeeeeeat song though

They had a lot of legal problems releasing the track I think. I liek the version from the movie, when it cuts in in the last scene, it fits so perfectly. Donne Darko is probably one of my favourite movies, so the two are tied together for me. At least the Spinal Tap guys didnt win it.

I can't make the Darkness out. Are they real? is it all a joke?

I know a guy at work who swears they are real, I still think it is a Spinal Tap thing. The whole thing is just so overblown and over the top, I can't believe they are serious. I suppose they would be good fun if it was played in a club, but i can't imagine wanting to buy the album and listen to it myself.

I downloaded some of their tunes into my random folder, and everytime they come on, I just have to skip cos I can't take it seriously, even though the music itself doesn't bother me.

I can't see how it can stretch to a second album.

I had heard the Gary Jules version first and when I heard the TfF version it was almost like they had tried to do a cover of it but done a really shitty job. I tried looking for the sheet music to it for a long time so I could play it and make people cry but no luck.

it's amazing really that gary jules could strip back all the fluff and make it into something so different.

I love that song. I practically cry every time that I hear it on the CD that I have it on, or whenever I hear it at the end of Donnie Darko.

In case anyone hasn't seen that movie, I highly recommend it for anyone who likes "thoughful" movies. It's greatly done, slightly confusing if you don't catch every little detail, but still a great movie!