30 seconds of ecstasy

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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.

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