"Mad World" Gary Jules? Michael Andrews? Tears for Fears?

Looks like Tears for Fears put the song on their album, The Hurting, which came out in 1983 (looks like the duo was on tour to support the song in '82, actually; it was a single and hit #3 in Britain). The lyrics are by Curt Smith of the duo.

Gary Jules put it on his Trading Snake Oil for Wolftickets album, which came out in 2002.

So Tears for Fears is a lot older, assuming that's what you mean by definitive. But it appears that the Jules version is more popular.

i much prefer the gary jules version, it's very haunting

The Jules version is the one that caught my ear in Donnie Darko.

I'll have to sample the other.

I like them both but I prefer the Jules version.

I like them both but I prefer the Jules version.

After having downloaded Mad World as well as all the other Darko songs...I have been astonished by how many other people I noticed did this also! More so than any other soundtrack I can think of

You crazies
I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion surely but I think you people are crazy. The thing that made Mad World by Tears for Fears so odd was the fact that the music was so upbeat to such a macabre song... I like gary jules somewhat but I don't think his version even nearly does the original song justice. The song is ironic. I think it's more haunting originally because it's disturbing and It kind of reminds you of being a child. Gary Jules version would be what you would expect... Tears for Fears always surprised you. Go download some songs by them.

I love that song!