I’m sure most familiar with the song Mad World, as it was the haunting theme for the movie Donnie Darko sung by the amazing Gary Jules and arranged by the awesome Mike Andrews, but did you know there was a video as well? This little gem was directed by Michel Gondry of all people, and features a rooftop perspective of a bunch of kids making shapes on the ground below. As is the usual for Michel, the idea is extremely simple and lo-fi but is totally effective and beautiful when you see it. I think my favorite part is the boat on the water, when you squint your eyes it looks so rad.

For some reason the video plays three times, though I didn’t bother watching them all cuz’ I figure they’re all the same, but I wanted to give a heads up!

Bobby

19 Comments »

1. it’s sung by gary jules, composition by mike andrews.. wonderful video!

   Comment by Jacob — August 18, 2008 #

2. Just a correction. This song is sung by Gary Jules. Mike Andrews did the score for the movie. But great video none the less.

   Comment by Adam — August 18, 2008 #

3. At first I was going to berate you for making a mistake and crediting Mike Andrews instead of Gary Jules. But a trip to Wikipedia has forestalled my beratings slightly. Gary Jules is the performer, Mike Andrews is the composer.

   Comment by joshuasbones — August 18, 2008 #

4. Hey, did you know it’s sung by Gary Jules!!!!???

   Comment by Jon — August 18, 2008 #

5. Jon: Hahaha… WHAT WHAT WHAT?!

   Comment by Bobby — August 18, 2008 #

6. In case it’s not obvious, all KN readers/Gary Jules fans got together and decided to comment all at once. In order to make our obsessions seem very important.

   Comment by joshuasbones — August 18, 2008 #

7. And now it’s the Tears for Fears fans’ turn. This is a cover song! Some credit must be given to Tears for Fears. While I do feel this video is better than Tears for Fears’ original, it’s more of an (great) improvement upon theirs than an original idea. The Tears for Fears video has Curt Smith looking out of a window while Roland Orzabal dances/performs outside (very ’80s).

   Comment by Reese — August 18, 2008 #

8. I was aware of that as well :)
   The video does sound amazing!

   Comment by Bobby — August 18, 2008 #

9. I might be mistaken but I think this was directed by Gondry’s ex girlfriend Lauri Faggioni. I know she was the Choreographer. Another tidbit is that “science of sleep is loosely based of their relationship when they lived in Paris.

   Comment by Max — August 18, 2008 #

10. My cat’s breath smells like cat food!

    Comment by joshuasbones — August 18, 2008 #

11. What does Ralph Quimby have to do with anything?

    Comment by Bobby — August 18, 2008 #

12. In Denmark this video was used instead
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyiMSLwu610

    Comment by Bjarke Roennow — August 18, 2008 #

13. The real question is, what doesn’t Ralph Quimby have to do with anythng?

    Comment by joshuasbones — August 19, 2008 #

14. The best part of this video is that it never cuts, therefore having to finish the ENTIRE thing without messing up, which seems like it could be hard with the timing and possible confusion with the shapes made. I love long scenes!

    Comment by Meg — August 19, 2008 #

15. Pretty cool!
    Love that Video

    Cheers Chan
    TheJunction

    Comment by Chan TheJunction — August 20, 2008 #

16. I thought the song was sung by Marcus Fenix…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccWrbGEFgI8

    Sorry. I thought this was one of the smarter game trailers ever done.

    Comment by Zeek — August 20, 2008 #

17. […] Noir brings word that Gary Jules’ Mad World has its own fantastic Michel Gondry Music Video. Who […]

    Pingback by K Adam White » Blog Archive » Gary Jules Mad World Music Video — August 27, 2008 #

18. […] via +KN Kitsune Noir […]

    Pingback by Mad Gondry World : NOT YELLOW, CHICKEN — August 27, 2008 #

19. This video was also used for a Banana Republic ad. (sad.)

    http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=223262&itype=8486

    Comment by Kelsey — August 28, 2008 #

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