"MAD WORLD" with PMJ and Puddles the sad clown

[Miguel]

He posted that a while ago. It's why all the FB comments I initially saw when searching Haley's name were all about Puddles.

[Miguel]

FB post:

What a wonderful interpretation! This is one that you may need more than one listen to completely appreciate. Highlights one the greatest things about the internet; the freedom it gives artists to create and share.

Starts with the sad, depressing clown but then Haley gives it a Willy Wonka vibe, someone who is fundamentally positive and cheerful, but deep inside still feels a sad melancholy because of the "madness" in the world; trying to cheer up the sad clown.

Plus the physical and vocal contrast is interesting. The huge clown with the quieter, straight and smooth vocals compared to the tiny girl with the ebbing and flowing and absolutely gorgeously rich and textured vocals.

Another FB post and response:

Tu Tran Eh hey, remember Mad World? Are you a vintage fan? Watch this.

Tu Tran:

OMG, her voice... I like her voice

[Tusk]

scottbradlee
LOVE this awesome @pmjofficial #lego art by @imrobstephens!! See who you can name #postmodernjukebox

haleystusk
@benthesaxguy @scottbradlee @adamkubota_bass @alanmednard @gattimusic @haleyreinhart @aubrey_logan & @puddlespityparty. How'd I do?

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Haley Reinhart and Puddles Pity Party Team Up For ‘Mad World’ With Postmodern Jukebox (VIDEO)

Haley Reinhart has been pretty busy as of late. In addition to a new EP and a voice role in the Netflix series F Is For Family, the American Idol alum recently went viral with an emotional new cover for Extra gum, of all products. But one of the things most responsible for keeping Haley in the spotlight has been her partnership with the fine folks at Postmodern Jukebox, as her jazzy, old school vocal covers of contemporary hits have essentially set the internet on fire.

This time, Haley teams with Postmodern Jukebox favorite Puddles Pity Party, the sad clown who’s been featured in some of PMJ’s most memorable videos, such as their version of Lorde’s hits “Royals” and “Team”, which have amassed a combined 17 million views on YouTube! For this cover, the duo performed a moving, vaudeville rendition of the Tears For Fears classic, “Mad World”. It’s yet another video that proves the artistry and talent of everyone involved with Postmodern Jukebox right now. I absolutely adore this.

And for more from Haley Reinhart and Postmodern Jukebox, check out their outstanding covers of “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, and the video that was a viral sensation, “Creep” by Radiohead.

[InItToWinIt]

Translated from a French women's magazine.

madmoiZelle.com: « Mad World » de Tears for Fears repris par Puddles le clown triste et Haley Reinhart

" Mad World " by Tears for Fears over by Puddles the sad clown and Haley Reinhart

Who does not know Mad World , the famous title of Tears for Fears over by Gary Jules for Donnie Darko ? Here is a new recovery a bit jazzy , and finally a little less sad, which should please you.

Puddles the sad clown has already recorded some very nice musical times, but when he decides to tackle Mad World , it is reasonable to fear for his morale. This is the song Tears for Fears , if it is not terribly sad in its original version , has been taken over by Gary Jules for the movie Donnie Darko ... And this version , which marked the spirits , is at least as beautiful as depressive .

But do not worry! Puddles was not left alone on this one then because the talented Haley Reinhart joined him quickly so add a little pep to this classic . The result ? A complementary duo between the serious and stable voice of our Pierrot, and the modulated if the singer and joyful , for a recovery that honors the original title.

[john]

Comment on the video posted on Puddles FB page

Reed Savage not so fond of that Collaboration, Michael.....finding it disingenuously disengaging.......like so many takes on Mack The Knife......you've heard them.......Haley has a great voice, but she can get a bit cutesy and insincere for my tastes......stay real!

"stay real." Irony? (Is the clown reality?)

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FB post:

What a wonderful interpretation! This is one that you may need more than one listen to completely appreciate. Highlights one the greatest things about the internet; the freedom it gives artists to create and share.

Starts with the sad, depressing clown but then Haley gives it a Willy Wonka vibe, someone who is fundamentally positive and cheerful, but deep inside still feels a sad melancholy because of the "madness" in the world; trying to cheer up the sad clown.

Plus the physical and vocal contrast is interesting. The huge clown with the quieter, straight and smooth vocals compared to the tiny girl with the ebbing and flowing and absolutely gorgeously rich and textured vocals.

I like this interpretation. Well said.

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PMJ FB page

David Michael Carper Great to see Haley finally getting over herself..

Huh? WTF is this based on? LOL.

Taylor Purple Green I love this song and was excited to see puddles sing it....i love Haley too....but i think this song should just go to puddles... Haley is too perky for this. Our was that intended?

Variations of these notions appear through the comments for this video, but really miss the point of this rendition (although Taylor seems to get it at the end). While it is not my favorite song to listen to, I think the concept and the arrangement are brilliant. Art.

[Miguel]

FB comment:

Puddles is always something incredible, her voice though is almost unearthly and quite beautiful!

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Variations of these notions appear through the comments for this video, but really miss the point of this rendition

Yes, there are a number of comments from people who think Haley is too cheery. They would prefer it sung much the way Gary Jules did (flat and straight). It appears they are heavily influenced by the movie Donnie Darko, which begins with a troubled teenager being awakened "and led outside by a figure in a monstrous rabbit costume who introduces himself as 'Frank' and tells him the world will end" in a little over 28 days. (wikipedia).

A comment made on a "Mad World" video featuring scenes from the movie:

My favourite movie, because, I don't know why, maybe for the darkness, maybe for the sadness... all leads to one thing... every living creature on earth dies alone

[InItToWinIt]

It's ironic that so many write that Haley's tone doesn't fit the intention of the song when in reality it is Haley's tone that does fit the original by Tears for Fears, it it Puddle's tone that fits the well-known Gary Jules cover in the Donnie Darko soundtrack. LaughingSquid presents the 3 videos together.

Laughing Squid: Puddles Pity Party, Haley Reinhart & Post Modern Jukebox Perform a Vaudeville Cover of ‘Mad World’

[Tusk]

While it is not my favorite song to listen to, I think the concept and the arrangement are brilliant. Art.

I think some people miss the point of "Art" or "Creativity". Obviously subjective, the purpose of Art and or Creativity is varied on so many levels (aka subjective), IMO most importantly, at it's core, it's a way for humanity to contemplate it's purpose, it's reality and it's limits.... further down the list is for it to be 'liked'.

If you are doing it just to be 'liked', then you have put boundaries on your potential to explore it entirely

JMO

[rmd1064]

I was not aware of the "Mad World" song, so went back and watched the Tears for Fears version and the Gary Jules versions. As noted, they are much darker versions and also featured in the movie "Donnie Darko" (which I have never seen, but now want to…). I can see why some people are not happy about the perhaps chipper, happier version of the song.

However, the point to me is the juxtaposition of the morose singing of the sad clown and the bright singing of the beautiful Haley across the dark sad lyrics. Or…maybe let's not overthink it too much! This is Post Modern Jukebox and they call it a vaudeville version. Vaudeville is described as being "made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill." So think of Puddles and Haley at opposite ends of the spectrum. Two acts, unrelated in how they present the song.

I actually love this video after many viewings and think it might be Haley's best work with PMJ. I love her voice and her tones and colors, but also her expressions, her interactions with Puddles and the adorable dance moves. This is such an oddball song, that it could become a real viral hit. If PMJ had any juice with radio, this could be a hit there too--think of Gotye's odd "Somebody I Used to Know". I am thinking this could be come a Casey/Haley song too in the future, with Casey crooning while playing the bass…

[InItToWinIt]

A+ A Plus : When This Big Clown Started Singing 'Mad World' We Started Crying, Then Haley Reinhart Joined In

Such a cool cover.

Everyone's favorite big lonely clown Puddles Pity Party is back to sing a song with Postmodern Jukebox, the music collective that transforms modern hits by playing them in alternate genres. The famous clown can be seen performing with the band in many other videos, but in this latest one he's singing "Mad World," by Gary Jules. You know, that song made famous by everyone's favorite teenage brooding SciFi movie Donnie Darko?

The song is sad enough as it is, but seeing that big clown take it on is enough to bring anyone to tears. But just when you thought you couldn't handle the sadness factor anymore, singer-songwriter Haley Reinhart joins in, giving the tune a much more upbeat feel. Together, they make the song sound happy and sad all at once — a pretty cool feat, if you ask us.