“Mad World” by Michael Andrews ft. Gary Jules, Wednesday, September 6, 2023

When completing the score for the 2001 cult psychological thriller Donnie Darko, score composer Michael Andrews produced a cover of the 1982 Tears for Fears minor hit “Mad World.” The film, set in 1988 the month preceding the election of George H.W. Bush, features a soundtrack of post-punk bands and even includes Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels” in a scene toward the beginning of the film. “Mad World” serves as the film’s emotional climax; however, the original version was extremely ill-suited for that role in the film.

ALL AROUND ME ARE FAMILIAR FACES. Before every grocery store in America played “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and Tears for Fears became a household name in America because of their major hits on the record Songs from the Big Chair, the band released their 1983 debut, The Hurting. This album included several singles the band had released the year prior, including the band’s third single “Mad World.” The song was successful in the UK and a few other countries. It reached number 3 on the UK singles’ chart, but Americans wouldn’t get a taste for Tears for Fears until their follow up single, “Change.” But as for “Mad World,” the song is a melancholy track in both lyrics and melody. However, the song’s tempo is fast, making it arguably ineffective in delivering its bleak message.  The experimental synth sounds certainly wouldn’t translate to the somber climax in which the titular character Donnie Darko decides his fate. To convey this message, Michael Andrews recorded a slower cover with singer Gary Jules. 

WENT TO SCHOOL AND I WAS VERY NERVOUS. With a limited theatrical release in October of 2001, following the September 11 terrorist attack, the film’s box office success was severely limited after the film’s trailer was not shown on television. The film’s premise involves a plane that loses an engine, which was shown in the film’s trailer. After 9/11, America didn’t want to see anything that reminded them of the recent tragedy. The film was critically acclaimed and grew a cult following with its home video release. Unaffected by the film’s commercial failure,  Michael Andrews and Gary Jules’ “Mad World” became a major hit. The song was featured in many television shows from CSI to Smallville. It became a bit of a musical cliché of forced emotional scenes in dramas. I mean, seriously, how many episodes can end with Clark Kent brooding over his unrequited love for Lana Lang? But if you follow the film Donnie Darko until its conclusion, “Mad World” might just become one of your favorite songs. 

Read the lyrics on Genius.


Michael Andrews & Gary Jules' version:


Tears for Fears' version:


Scene from Donnie Darko (Spoiler Alert):




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