Tears For Fears vs. Gary Jules | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 13^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Tears For Fears and Gary Jules contend for the best rendition of “Mad World.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 13^th  edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Tears For Fears and 🎙 Gary Jules x Michael Andrews contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Mad World”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Tears For Fears, “Mad World”

💿 The Hurting • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 1983

“Went to school and I was very nervous / No one knew me, no one knew me…” Years before 🎙 Tears For Fears – 🎙 Curt Smith and 🎙 Roland Orzabal – unleashed their biggest hit,  🎵 “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, they released 🎵 “Mad World”.  “Mad World” appears as the second track on their 1983 debut album, 💿 The Hurting. “Mad World” didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100 (🤯) but that doesn’t keep it from being one of Tears For Fears’ most important songs.

“Mad World” commences with a marvelous groove, one that sets the tone. Later, pummeling drums are integrated in as well, adding to the impressiveness of the rhythmic identity. Strengthening the production – making “Mad World” ear-catching – is synthesized brass, coupled with additional keyboard work 💪. Notably, that biting brass that appears in the second verse 🎺. A young Curt Smith sounds incredibly authentic and energetic, masterfully expressing the sheer madness of the world (“Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow / No tomorrow, no tomorrow”). Melodically, the record is a stunner; quite memorable and tuneful.  Of course, we must give credit where credit is due. Orzabal penned this timeless song, which NEVER grows old listening to it.

via GIPHY

2. Gary Jules & Michael Andrews, “Mad World”

💿 Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets • 🏷 Down Up Down, Inc. • 🗓 2001

“All around me are familiar faces / Worn-out places, worn-out faces…” Sometimes, a cover is dramatically or starkly different from the original. Often, it is covers that depart drastically that build their own enduring legacy with a song. For 🎙 Gary Jules and 🎙 Michael Andrews, they totally transformed the 🎙 Tears For Fears record, 🎵 “Mad World”. In Jules/Andrews’ hands, it becomes a chilling ballad, accompanied initially by piano. Eventually, some intriguing keyboard cues, strings, and vocal effects accentuate the color and keep things fresh. Notably this haunting rendition appeared on the Donnie Darko soundtrack.  Furthermore, it appeared on Jules’ oddly titled 2001 album, 💿 Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets.

“And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had…”

Gary Jules sounds absolutely amazing from start to finish.  The tone of his voice is one of the very best things about “Mad World,” period. He never gets too high or too low, maintaining balance and exhibiting poise.  Honestly, it is the production shifts, which are more subtle as opposed to maximal, that help progress “Mad World.” That, of course, is owed to Andrews who produces this gem.  🎼 ✍ Roland Orzabal penned a great song, one that 🎙 Curt Smith performed awesomely.  Gary Jules, with the help of Michael Andrews, just took it a different direction.

Appears in 🔻:

• Gary Jules & Michael Peters, “Mad World”: Covers No. 14 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 Tears For Fears or 🎙 Gary Jules x Michael Andrews?  First and foremost, sans Tears For Fears, specifically Roland Orzabal with the golden pen, there would be no 🎵 “Mad World”. In the hands of Smith on vocals, the original by Tears For Fears is a gem in its own right.  Still, there is something  even more chilling and enigmatic about the Jules rendition.  Often when covered, Jules’ take seems to get the most love.  So, if a winner must be chosen, give the edge to the coverers, Gary Jules x Michael Andrews.

Tears For Fears vs. Gary Jules: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 13 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Down Up Down, Inc., Mercury; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels, andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]