Mad World Rhetorical Devices

The song “Mad World,” originally written and composed in F#m by the English synth-pop band Tears for Fears is an incredibly melancholy yet upbeat song. “Mad World,” has been covered by an abundance of artists, although the most unusual and differing cover compared to the original is that of the version by the singer and songwriter Gary Jules. Gary Jules composed and recorded the cover, written in the key of Eb for the soundtrack of Donnie Darko, a movie where the detached sadness of the song’s lyrics is truly represented. Gary Jules’ take is incredibly stripped down and gentle, embracing the melancholy nature of the song which the original does not capture fully within its sound. The two songs compared have very few similarities whilst the
As Gary Jules has approached the cover in a very depressing and heart wrenching manner, there is far less going on instrumentally, causing there to be less compositional devices in use in comparison to that of the original. Gary Jules uses two compositional devices within his cover; a single piano motif which has been inspired by a motif within the original, which is played at the beginning and end of the song, and during the chorus after Gary Jules sings the lyrics ‘mad world.”. The other compositional device which is found within Gary Jules’ take on “Mad World,” is the augmentation used on the single motif at the end of the song, which brings the cover to a very smooth end. These two compositional devices used within the cover of “Mad World,” by Gary Jules contrast the compositional devices used within the original written Tears for Fears as Tears for Fears use many various compositional devices throughout the song. “Mad World,” by Tears for Fears begins with a rhythmic motif which is then ostantino-ed throughout the whole song. The next two compositional devices used within the song are found during the chorus; firstly when the phrase “ey,” is again ostantinoed throughout each chorus and, with a motif which is played after the lead singer sings the words “Mad World.” The aforementioned motif is similar to the motif which Gary Jules used within his cover. The last incredibly distinctive compositional device found in the original is that of a melodic synth motif which is played at 2.29. Although the song “Mad World,” is only one song, the only true similarity within the original written by Tears for Fears and the cover, by Gary Jules is that of the