1:02

One cannot analyze to “Mad World” without including the vocal hook: “I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad / the dreams in which I’m dying are the best I ever had.” Haunting, and somehow still something that is easily related to.

This is a simple arrangement of the song, and every part of the arrangement serves to bring out and focus your attention on the lyrics. Up to this point, all we’ve heard is a piano and a (doubled) vocal line.

1:06

The piano does something interesting here. When we get to the beginning of the piano line, the piano strikes the root of the chord. It happens again at the end of the next progression. It almost sounds like the tolling of a bell, but very subtle. It hits right on the last word of each line of the chorus, and it gives each line more weight then it otherwise would have.

I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of SAD

the dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever HAD

I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to TAKE

1:15

The piano gives us a nice rolled chord as Jules sings the word “circles” (listen carefully, you can hear each note of the chord being separately struck.) This complements the sound of the word “circles” and gives us a feeling of motion exactly when the song calls for it. Then the piano cuts out and we get to just focus on Jules and his reverb as he sings that “it’s a very very…”

1:17

“…Mad world.”
Here, the piano starts us walking downward, (in a way, completing the circle) and we The coolest thing here is the effects on Jules’ voice as he sings “Mad World.” Somehow his little voice has a gigantic reflection. It’s messy, reverby and perfect. We can’t help but be pulled in. It is also an interesting take on this part in the Tears for Fears version. (If anyone could guess what effects are on his voice there, I’d be curious to know.) The piano part here is a repeat of the intro(:00).

1:28

Another little rolled chord on the piano and we’re into the second verse. A little countermelody on a cello gives the song a bit more motion and fullness.

And we’re out of time. Cellar Door.

Amazon

:00
It starts with a little gasp of breath, not too much, as if to say “we’re gonna rock, just a little bit.” The breath sounds like two people… It’s in stereo, and the effect is good through headphones.

:01
The drums, bass, guitar, voice and “Mellodio Horn” all kick in at once. (I was trying to place that instrument at the beginning of the song. It sounds reedy, and not quite synthesized. Kind of bagpipey, kind of accordiony…I went to their website and it says “Mellodio Horn.” Googling “Mellodio horn” only finds references to The Long Winters. If anyone knows what this instrument is, leave a comment.) It sounds kind of like a combination pop song, rock song and Scottish march. It’s full of energy, and some fast strumming on the guitar along with the drums and bass keep the song moving while the vocals and horn drone along on just a few notes. An interesting contrast, and it works well.

:09
They finish the first progression, and move to the second. The music continues, but we hear the breath one more time, just at the right moment, just after a drum fill. Delightful.

:17
The lead singer comes in, and the horn drops out: “I’m leaving you all my car parts/ I didn’t have the money, or I would have got-en roses.” Listen to his pitch: he’s got a lot of vibrato for a rock singer. There is also the (Beatle-sqe?) little vocal counterpart: “lalalala—-ah—ah.” These guys are having a lot of fun, and it’s infectious. The counterpart comes back on the next progression. It brings back the feeling of the horn, but is far less intrusive.

Also, listen to the enunciation of the lead singer. His t, and more surprisingly, n sounds are quite hard, and it works well. It adds to the rhythm and “fullness” of the sound.

All in all, the first 30 seconds of Carparts are a case study in great ways to start a song. Give it a listen sometime, they keep the energy up for the rest of the song, and the lyrics are fun to listen to. Somewhat impenetrable, but interesting nonetheless.

This song was my first ringtone, I liked it so much.