In 2003, singer-songwriter Gary Jules had a worldwide smash with his cover of the song 'Mad World'. This version of the song (by Jules and fellow composer Michael Andrews) was actually included in the soundtrack to the 2001 movie Donnie Darko (a must see, in my opinion), but it was a full two years before this rendition would reach its peak fame, going #1 in the UK December 2003. It is a powerful, haunting retelling of the original.

So who did the original? The British duo Tears for Fears, who released the song in the autumn of 1982. Despite the fact that the song charted all around the world, from Germany to South Africa to New Zealand, it went virtually unnoticed in the US. The single was included on the band's 1983 debut full length The Hurting, which is an incredible slice of moody Euro New Wave and totally worth exploring*. I clearly remember the first time I heard this. My friend Chris brought the original back from California and we listened to the whole thing three times in a row. I still love this song.

It would not be until 2 years later, with the release of Tears for Fear's sophomore effort Songs From The Big Chair and the better-received single 'Shout' that the band would finally get their big break in the States.

* If you like the sound of early Tears For Fears, here is the video for another great song of of their debut release: