Mad World
"Mad World" is a 1982 song by British band Tears for Fears. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, it was the band's third single release and first chart hit, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart in November 1982. Both "Mad World" and its B-side, "Ideas as Opiates", appeared on the band's debut LP The Hurting (1983). This single was also the band's first international success, reaching the Top 40 in several countries in 1982–83.
This article is about the Tears for Fears song. For other uses, see Mad World (disambiguation)."Mad World"
- "Ideas as Opiates"
- "Saxophones as Opiates"
20 September 1982
July 1982
Britannia Row (mixed at Crescent Studios and Air Studios)
3:30
"Mad World" has since been covered by various artists, including a 2001 version recorded by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for the soundtrack of the film Donnie Darko; a 2003 single release of the song reached number one in the UK for three consecutive weeks and won Orzabal his second Ivor Novello Award.[6] A 2021 rendition of the song was included on Demi Lovato's album Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over.
The cover photo was taken at Round Pond in Kensington Gardens (London, England).
Meaning[edit]
The song was influenced by the theories of Arthur Janov, author of The Primal Scream.[11] The lyric "the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had" suggests that dreams of intense experiences such as death will be the best at releasing tension.[12]
Music video[edit]
The promotional video for "Mad World" was filmed in late summer 1982, in the grounds of Knebworth House.[14] It was Tears for Fears' first music video, and features Curt Smith staring out of a window while Roland Orzabal dances outside on a lakeside jetty. A brief party scene in the video features friends and family of the band, including Smith's mother as well as his then-wife Lynne.
According to Curt Smith, "When we made the video in a country estate on the cheap, we bussed all our friends and family up from Bath and had a fun day. The woman who's having the birthday party in the video is my mum."[15]
The music video was directed by Clive Richardson who was notable for his work at that time with Depeche Mode.
Personnel are taken from The Hurting special edition liner notes[16]
Additional Personnel