Tears For Fears released ‘Mad World’ back in 1982. It charted pretty much everywhere – except the US. Nonetheless, over the years, it’s developed a life of its own, and nearly 40 years later it’s an acknowledged classic, with a new found relevance, which Mea Fisher, and her band Me And My Nightmare, have taken on board with their 2021 update.
Mea’s voice is perfect for the cover – and her attitude is also ideal for a song that communicates destabilisation, and anxiety, and is a dark prophecy we’re seeing fulfilled right before our eyes. Me And My Nightmare re-envision ‘Mad World’ as a rock song, rather than the slow new wave synth piece it was back in the hands of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. The synths are still there, but it’s more industrial, and accompanied by thundering drums. Mea sings with a combination of compassion and criticism that has always been a highlight of her performances. Her visual aesthetic also reinforces the themes and tone of the music she’s making, including an outrageous sense of fashion.
In the video for ‘Mad World’, we see Mea playing the role of master of ceremonies, splicing together footage of a world spinning too fast for anyone’s sanity. There’s footage of the global pandemic, the past summer of protests, fires on the Pacific Coast, and hurricanes in the Gulf Coast – all juxtaposed with images of the singer in the vocal booth. We also see shots of a near-deserted Las Vegas, along with Mea’s adopted home of Los Angeles; beautiful but somehow forlorn. Despite it being a mad world, Mea still manages to find love when she finds a little dog. Throughout all the madness, and no matter how much life sucks, she wants to remind everyone that love always wins.
Watch the music video below. You can find out more about Me And My Nightmare and their music online on their official website.
