Cover Song of the Week: The Red Paintings Perform "Mad World"

When the film Donnie Darko premiered in 2001, it was hailed as a deep, dark, infinitely meaningful cinematic masterpiece. Jake Gyllenhaal had yet to reach heartthrob status, Drew Barrymore turned in an excellent performance as an idealistic high school teacher while Patrick Swayze plays a local celebrity with a terrible penchant for kiddie porn.

It's now seven years later and the film has exhausted its cult status; merchandisers such as Hot Topic have milked Frank the Bunny for all he's worth and most of the college set disparage the film in general as being an "emo" movie. (And really, who can argue when Donnie tells his therapist the search for God is absurd "if everyone dies alone"?)

What society cannot destroy about the film is Gary Jules' haunting rendition of Tears For Fears' "Mad World," which originally debuted in 1982. A simple, slow, soft-pedaled piano line replaces TFF's harsh synthesizers and cheesy drumming. Jules forces the listener to really consider the lyrics, as the piano is loud enough to be heard but not distracting in the least. Both versions are provided below courtesy of YouTube. You can also note that Jules' video is more visually stunning, as well:

Tears For Fears: "Mad World"


Gary Jules: "Mad World"

Taking this song in another beautifully emotional direction are The Red Paintings, (pictured above) a rock/performance art band from Australia. Not only are they dressed as geishas, or robots, or Alice in Wonderland characters, but there are two human canvasses (in addition to one traditional canvas) being painted onstage along with the band as they perform, creating a wonderful and slightly chill-inducing experience for everyone involved.

The Red Paintings covered "Mad World" on their 2005 EP Walls, and their use of violins and cello to take over the main melody transforms it in a way a piano/synth never could; since string instruments can bend notes, the overall sound is very distinct and mournful. Likewise, lead singer/guitarist Trash McSweeney's (above, second from left) rougher voice tinged with the Aussie accent provides a louder but no less emotionally charged performance.

It's interesting to see a song mutate over 26 years and still maintain relevancy in addition to a fan following. I suppose that is how great music is made.

Happy listening!

The Red Paintings- "Mad World" (mp3)