Talk:Mad World

2001 recording
Donnie Darko was released, with the Gary Jules version of Mad World, in 2001. So obviously it can't have been a 2003 recording. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.231.166.204 (talk) 21:16, 21 January 2006 (UTC)


 * It was recorded in 2001 but released as a single in 2003, which was the year it became a major hit in the UK.79.69.83.12 13:45, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

no —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.101.118.54 (talk) 23:46, 10 October 2009 (UTC)

DJ Tiesto
Didn't DJ Tiesto do a remix of Mad World as well? I have the MP3. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.138.80.156 (talk) 20:29, 3 June 2006 (UTC)

It may be an MP3 of a remix that was on some CD he assembled or a session mix where he sequed from one song to another without really making a new mix of the song. However, if there is evidence of a significantly different mix, then that would be interesting to note. Hu 04:27, 30 November 2006 (UTC) Just so you know, Adam Lambert (American Idol Star) Sang it! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.20.154.29 (talk) 23:30, 30 July 2009 (UTC)

There is a upload on YouTube that seems to match what I remember from hearing from passed around mp3s around 2005 too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K--IAmThfFU --81.43.193.4 (talk) 19:50, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

Crowded House
hmmmm.... Didn't Crowded House at least do a cover of this song? As for who did the Donnie Darko version i wouldn't know. Most people confuse it with REM. Factoid Killer 23:35, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

Fan-made
I removed "A fan-made video of the song with a Resident Evil theme can be seen here: " because it can be found thousands of this videos and i dont see whats special about this one to be par to the article --Guillo7x 12:37, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Without a Trace
I added a blurb about the Gary Jules version being used in the TV series "Without a Trace" --1:30, 7 November 2006 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.45.164.104 (talk) 01:51, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Gary Jules-version
Is the 2001 version by Gary Jules the same as mentioned one section below, on the KLLF album? If so, one should be removed, if not, the difference should be stated... Both claim the Gears of war-song was derived from this. Both claim to be used in the Donnie Darko movie. I believe somebody made a mistake and the KLLC-section is irrelevant because it's just an unimportant compilation album, but I'm not sure... --Pie.er 11:01, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

I edited the title to the Michael Andrews/Gary Jules version because Gary jules is playing the piano while Jules is just singing. It was also part of the Donnie Darko soundtrack which Andrwes was in charge of, so i bealive they both deserve the same credit. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 70.157.206.75 (talk • contribs) 04:55, 25 November 2006 (UTC)

The Gary Jules version is in the trailer for "Gears of War" for the Xbox 360. I beleive this trailer would be a good link if there would be a video for this page because it is done professionaly, though i do not know where to find it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.225.233.21 (talk) 02:23, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

What do you mean Gary Jules is playing piano while Jules is just singing? Do you mean Michael Andrews is playing piano while Jules is singing? 70.152.77.35 19:49, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Gears of War
The song is featured in countless videos. Unless the video is an original production of the artist or one its re-creations, the article should not link to other fan videos. Even an ad for a video game is a third-party source and is not directly relevant. You might as well link other song titles to the limitless car ads that use them. --Scottie theNerd 04:20, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

I disagree. --Thezeus18 23:18, 4 December 2006 (UTC)


 * Good for you. --Scottie theNerd 00:10, 5 December 2006 (UTC)


 * If a car advert made a song known to a wider audience, it would be worth mentioning it. For example Andy Williams' career took off again in the UK when one of his songs was used in a car commercial there. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 212.146.47.250 (talk) 22:18, 1 April 2007 (UTC).

R.E.M.
So R.E.M. did do a cover for this song? I'm looking for their version but it seems to sound exactly like the Jules version, right down to the voice... can someone help me? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.76.90.36 (talk) 04:37, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

A lot of people seem to think they did do a cover for this song. It's not on any of their albums though. Gary Jules' voice in the Donnie Darko cover seems to be very similar to Stipe's. Apparently R.E.M. never did cover this song. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.23.102.124 (talk) 06:20, 10 July 2012 (UTC)

you are right  — Preceding unsigned comment added by Über-Blick (talk • contribs) 06:45, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

Mad World (Acoustic) http://www.lastfm.de/music/R.E.M./_/Mad+World+(Acoustic)

Mad World Lyrics - R.E.M. http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Mad-World-lyrics-R-E-M/E6B6ECF2028FADCB482573BD000C8A49

R.E.M. - Mad World (HQ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH7jeijCSgk

Music, pictures & lyrics - R.E.M. (Mad World) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCcYdB839p8

--Über-Blick (talk) 06:39, 9 March 2013 (UTC)

Modus?
what's whith the dorian modus? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 217.173.146.149 (talk) 09:00, 20 December 2006 (UTC).

More about the song's tone and meaning
For a song that's particularly 'lyricful' and seemingly deep and ambiguous lyrics, I'm suprised there's no explorations of the meaning of some of it. Any chance someone knowledgeable could start something? Thanks if so. --Reverieuk 02:24, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

The problem with this is that it's based entirely on personal opinion and interpretation, which goes against Wikipedia policy. 216.104.65.153 01:12, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

So nobody is allowed any opinion on Wikipedia. That means they can't do anything.90.203.239.212 (talk) 17:24, 6 October 2010 (UTC)

A sort of loophole: the song "Every Day Is Exactly the Same" by Nine Inch Nails conveys a part of the tone without really being related to violating Wikipedia's policy. Maybe a new section titled, "Similar Song" would work? Aeroadam (talk) 17:53, 5 May 2013 (UTC)

Dorian Mode
''Jules' version was much simpler. Instead of a full musical backing, it was in the Dorian mode and used only a haunting set of piano chords and a cello.''

Was the original Tears for Fears version not in Dorian mode? Seems like it was to me. 141.156.238.7 05:01, 24 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes, the original version was in Dorian too. This line should be changed Focomoso 18:44, 14 November 2007 (UTC)


 * The other day (then familiar with only the Jules version) I worked it out on a keyboard, and indeed it came out as Dorian. I then listened to the TFF version, and I agree.  However, this page, gives the impression that the original is in D major, so maybe that's where the claim previously in the article came from.  But to my ears, both versions are melodically the same, so why does that page seem to state that the original was in D major and Andrews changed it to Dorian?  What should we make of it? — Smjg (talk) 12:37, 14 July 2016 (UTC)


 * I've just listened to both versions on YouTube, and played along in the process. Indeed, the TFF version comes out as F♯ Dorian, and the Jules one as F Dorian.  So you could well ask what that page is on about. — Smjg (talk) 22:29, 3 March 2017 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:TFF Mad World Video Curt.jpg
Image:TFF Mad World Video Curt.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 02:15, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Stop the madness!
It's fine to list all of the various cover versions of the song, but is it really necessary to list every single instance where the song is used as background music in a television programme? Such useless trivia really is inappropriate for a Wiki article and makes the article longer than it needs to be. MassassiUK 12:06, 10 November 2007 (UTC)


 * Agreed. List has been edited down. MemoriesFade 18:35, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Saxophones As Opiates soloist
I noticed someone added info on the supposed saxophonist who played on the track 'Saxophones As Opiates' (George Whitmore). As far as I know, this person has never been officially credited, be it on the record sleeve or anywhere else. I've deleted this from the article, but if someone can verify it, please restore. Thanks. MemoriesFade 18:35, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Article cleanup
I've gone through and rearranged/reworded/added/deleted a bunch of things at once, most notably in the Track listings, Chart positions, and Cover versions sections. I'm hoping to flesh out and synchronize the formatting of all of the TFF articles as time allows. Any gripes or suggestions, please let me know!

Regarding the covers list, it was getting way too large and unorganized, so I've pared it down by keeping only those covers that have actually been recorded. The fact that a band plays the song live or some random DJ included it in a mix is very interesting, but doesn't really belong in this article. MemoriesFade (talk) 08:12, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Genre
This is as New Wave as Throbbing Gristle is easy listening. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.229.216.89 (talk) 04:07, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Mad World, Gary Joules
What about the song Madworld by Gary Joules? There should be a disgam Androo123 (talk) 15:13, 22 June 2008 (UTC)

TEARS FOR FEARS, come on man... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.106.190.182 (talk) 02:48, 5 December 2016 (UTC)

American idol singer
This song was song by an American Idol contestant. Please leave the commentary about the performance in the article about the singer or the show. Not needed here. Thank you, --Tom (talk) 20:25, 9 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Should this be readded and the section retitled to "cover" versions which I think is what is meant, not "other" versions. Help please, --Tom (talk) 19:54, 10 April 2009 (UTC)
 * Tom, I changed the section heading to "Other versions and covers" so that it is more inclusive. I think that some of the recordings listed there would be considered covers. It doesn't seem to make sense to create a separate section for covers or to exclude covers from the article, so it seemed like a reasonable compromise. Jlwelsh (talk) 00:12, 13 April 2009 (UTC)
 * The American Idol note should probably be included, although I think it should go in the popular culture section rather than the covers section (which should generally be limited to recorded versions only, otherwise it could get out of hand in listing every performance of this song ever played live by any artist). It should also be broadened to make reference to the numerous covers of this song that have been performed on the various incarnations of 'Idol' around the world. The only truly notable thing about the Lambert performance was that it received a standing ovation from the judges, but that information is best included in Lambert's own article.MemoriesFade (talk) 00:25, 13 April 2009 (UTC)

Windmills of your Mind
I can't help but think of the correlation between "Mad World" and "Windmills of your Mind". The punctuated and arpeggiated (if that's the right word) sequences seem very very similar. And the concept of circles also appears to be similar.

Perhaps Tears for Fears were on drugs when they remembered singing "Windmills of your Mind" during high school choir and decided to write a song. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 90.216.34.14 (talk) 00:01, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Cat Stevens' Matthew and Son
I don't normally edit song articles, I just happened to be looking something up here. I notice a recent addition of a comparison to Cat Stevens' Matthew and Son. I corrected the formatting and linked the author & song, but I suspect this isn't particularly notable. Since I don't normally contribute to song articles, though, I wasn't sure and thought I should post here to draw attention to it. I've left it in for now. --RobinHood70 (talk) 04:46, 1 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Your first instinct was correct; not only is it non-notable info, but it's POV as well. I believe the Cat Stevens thing has come up in this article (and been promptly removed) in the past. This might be an interesting addition if there was any acknowledgment of it by the songwriters themselves, but even then it would probably be a better fit somewhere in the body of the article rather than in the intro. MemoriesFade (talk) 19:19, 2 August 2009 (UTC)


 * Thanks, I figured it should probably be removed. --RobinHood70 (talk) 20:26, 2 August 2009 (UTC)


 * It has been acknowledged by Cat Stevens. For Tears for Fears to acknowledge it would be an admission of plagiarism. However, many independent commentators have noted that the musical structure is identical; this is not point of view, this is demonstrable fact. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Abdul tom (talk • contribs) 16:42, 28 August 2018 (UTC)

This should be re-added. No one serious doubts this melody link any more, and Yousef has noted it many times. That makes it notable, regardless of whether there are still people who deny the similarity. It's noted on the Matthew and Son page.Fig (talk) 18:25, 3 July 2023 (UTC)

Matthew & Son by Cat Stevens
This tune contains lyrics and the melody used in "Mad World" ... so, it needs to stand somewhere in the article, I assume! Here's the link to his tune, at 1:39 you'll find "mad world"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcMLTDnDZrs --Freiheitsgedanke (talk) 11:19, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

External Link Youtube "Mad World" Tears for Fears video at YouTube
Has been removed because it has been marked as private and cannot be accessed by any regular user. 24.117.43.78 (talk) 06:10, 8 February 2010 (UTC) Noaru

Locations of album cover and country estate
Does anyone know where the album cover was photographed? And the country house in the video? The latter could be put in the article, maybe. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 93.7.81.112 (talk) 19:33, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

"Enlarge your world" at the end of the song
Regardless of the quote cited, Gary Jules very clearly, and in vision in close-up, sings the words "enlarge your world" at the end of the song at the 45:39 point of the video of the Mylene Farmer "Timeless" concert video: https://youtu.be/-0XauFRo614?t=2716 His enunciation is quite clear, and you can watch his lips as he speaks the words. -- The Anome (talk) 14:09, 3 August 2015 (UTC)

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