Mad World

Recorded at Elgonix Labs in Los Angeles during Michael Andrews's work on the soundtrack for the 2001 film Donnie Darko. Andrews produced and performed the sparse piano-led arrangement, with Gary Jules on lead vocals and Sam Shelton and Tori Haberman contributing backing vocals. Released as a single in 2003, the Tears for Fears cover became the UK Christmas number one and remained at the top for three weeks. Its stark arrangement and subdued vocal transformed the original into an international crossover hit. The recording became Gary Jules's signature song and one of the most influential cover versions of the 2000s. Its extensive use in film, television and advertising helped establish the slow, melancholic pop-cover style later adopted for many screen soundtracks.