Enter your instantly iconic and moderate cover (for him, at least) of the unsettling song. Lambert opted for the slower version of the music by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews – performed in 2001 Donnie Darko soundtrack – as opposed to the original 1982 synth-pop, sprinkling the gloomy song with some unexpected note choices, especially its final lament. The lively performance helped to take Lambert to the end, where he finished second for Kris Allen, and Adam has been successful as a solo singer, as well as touring with Queen since then.
For Clarkson’s new approach, she borrowed a bit from both versions, opting for the slower pace of the latest cover, but adding some heavy drums and guitars at the end that resemble the more vigorous original. Clarkson, of course, won the first season of american idol in 2002, launching her highly successful music career and leading to a full circle of Kellyoke covers that she presents every day on her talk show almost 20 years later.
“Mad World” was never on the Tears for Fears charts, but the cover of Jules and Andrews became a radio hit, topping the Adult Alternative Airplay chart in 2004.
See Clarkson’s and Lambert’s “Mad World” versions below: