# Tune behind 'Mad World'

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tune-behind-mad-world/254380>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 9, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tune-behind-mad-world/254380 "2004-07-09T23:38:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2004, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tune-behind-mad-world/254380/1 "2004-07-09T23:38:22Z")

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I suspect the tune behind the song ‘Mad World’ is actually something older (possibly classical) re-used for that song/lyrics.

p.s. There’s only ever been one tv musical talent show winner that I’ve ever not turned my nose up at and that’s Alex Parks (winner of UK ‘Fame Academy’ last year) I am listening right now to her version of ‘Mad World’.

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**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2004, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tune-behind-mad-world/254380/2 "2004-07-10T01:04:12Z")

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If you hear the _Tears for Fears_ original, I think you’ll have to admit that you’re probably wrong in your guess.