Mad World (Kora Version) by George Smerin

A cover version of Mad World, played by George Smerin on the Kora, a 22-string West African harp. Available now from online music stores and streaming services.
Free download / donation here:
smerin.bandcam....
The original version of this song was by Tears for Fears, and this version is based on Gary Jules's cover, written for the film Donnie Darko.
www.smerin.com

[@jamqueen1222able]

I suffer from severe anxiety and I happened to stumble upon your video on Facebook. Let me tell you how hypnotic and soothing your music is to me. Very rarely do I find moments of peace, but this gave it to me. I just listen with my eyes closed and everything else disappears. Medication can't even do that. Please never stop making these videos, you never know who is listening.

[@smerin]

Thank you very much for your message, it means a lot to hear that. Learning to play the Kora has really helped me through some tough times mentally, so I am very happy to be able to help others in some way. It gives me a load of inspiration to make more music and share videos like this. I've been thinking about this a lot recently and it has been the focus for my next video which should be out in the next few days. Take care of yourself.

[@eetoved1758]

I just had a similar experience.

[@dustinallen9208]

This was one of the songs i played for my two cats who died in a house fire in 2019 when i buried them. This performance will always be special to me.

[@emypony]

Found this on facebook, had to google to see if it was on youtube, and i'm so glad i found it! This is so beautiful. I subscribed, I'm looking forward to your future videos, if you decide to do more of these!

[@smerin]

Emypony AO thanks! I’ve got lots more videos like this planned 😊

[@annadoronina7364]

Me too!)

[@vencemcadams2927]

Same here, one year later!

[@estelabohbouth1570]

@@smerin I'll be waiting, too, loved this one

[@phyllispetras3369]

That chord sang our universe and us into being. Then we all got tap shoes!!! :)

[@story2743]

Oh my. The perfect thing to have playing next to a fire. Thank youuuuuuuuu.

[@smerin]

Ooooh enjoy!

[@StrawberryLoveGel]

It's so perfect and beautiful - I love it.

[@phyllispetras3369]

Serene................sublime...........

[@ChyarasKiss]

One of my favorite songs. So beautiful. I just want to play it on a loop.

[@eetoved1758]

Hi! This sound just brought my blood pressure, my cholesterol, and my weight down just by listening. Just kidding. It really calmed me. Thanks!!!

[@melissawilliams5974]

This is one of the Most beautiful pieces of Music played on one of the Most awesome instruments - I could listen to this FOREVER 🎶🎶🎶❤️😎

[@johnhernandez7545]

This is beautiful, better than the original I'll tell you that. I saw it on facebook, I had to come to youtube and see it, beautiful song. Gotta subscribe to your channel

[@smerin]

Thanks John, I’m really glad you like it so much!

[@nfoertsch5552]

DREAMY speaks of LOVE

[@lesliec3612]

Definitely a divinely-inspired instrument with a gifted musician to make it 'sing'--I am mesmerized, and peaceful after watching and listening to this performance... Thank you, George!

[@hakunamatata4709]

Love you man, this song hit me right thru my heart. :')

[@smerin]

I’m glad you like it so much. Big love!

[@arkoganguly9255]

Hey George, saw this on fb and looked up for Kora and found you here again. How beautiful this is. Thanks for introducing me to this beautiful instrument. You have done a fabulous job with the tune! Absolutely love it. Specially the tone. So pleasing! ❤️

[@BuitragOrtiz]

Encontré esto en Facebook, me encanta el sonido y quisiera seguir escuchando esta melodia, me relaja escuchar. Saludos desde Colombia 🇨🇴

[@1964ANDRZEJ]

I discovered this music yesterday. And I immediately fell in love and sent it to my friends.

[@justdande2891]

Beautiful! Thank you ❤️ I work with a fellow from the DRC. Even he agrees that you have mastered this unique instrument 🙂 I' ve been listening to this for three years now ♥️

[@ingorichter649]

The harp is one of my favorite instruments to hear music from. No other acoustic instrument can bring us such angelic and etheric sounds in my opinion. Very well and emotionally played, thanks for sharing 🎵

[@isablondethng]

So calming with such a lovely tone.

[@kimthanhtran3419]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@Sereneskies23]

This is incredible. I'll be looking for it on itunes so I can download! Nicely done.

[@smerin]

Thanks very much!

[@anicatt100]

Me too ☺️

[@juiellineau]

beautiful, this is why I love music. This music is a language that makes you soar into magical realms when communicating. Keep speaking bro, keep drawing us in.-peace from Toronto, Canada

[@jbento1975]

Beautiful.

[@edutoni1822]

Soo, so schön! Einfach wundervoll! Dieses Instrument passt zu dieser Melodie, singend und in seinen Wiederholungen - einerseits immer wieder neu - und doch ganz stabil und haltend wie von Weisheit getragen! Ein Geschenk! - Besten Dank.

[@SamuelKirkman]

I love this cover, just finished building my Kora, grew it in my garden and now I’m trying to get it to sing as beautifully as yours. Thank you for this George. Looking forward to more!

[@phyllispetras3369]

Play Sarah Vaughn for it!

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

can't wait to play and learn one

[@augasty2399]

Just saw this on FB, rushed to yt. Ooofe, what a soothing sound. ❤ THIS CHANNEL DESERVES MORE VIEWS.

[@jeanettemejlvangkristensen6516]

❤ so beautiful

[@Karm1nia]

I love it, thank you...

[@Cloroqx]

That was beautiful, mate! Great job1

[@smerin]

Thankyou very much!

[@FloraArs]

I never get tired of this, is the most relaxing amazing interpretation I love it

[@3rdaxis609]

Beautiful

[@hollyferay8131]

Exquisite

[@ventures9560]

Lovely

[@maxsturm7037]

First Time listend to this wounderful Instrument

[@prernalelehomevideos]

Found you through LinkedIn !! Such a brilliant instrument and you played it really well too. I am a subscriber!

[@smerin]

Thank you, glad you like it! 🙏

[@matthewhenriqueforgersen]

fantastisch, wunderbar der Klang, den diese Melodie ist, sie berührt die Seele und den Geist ❤️🙌

[@vilcoyote67]

Wow wow wow !!! I have no words... What a beautiful sound ! It makes me cry... Amazing, thank you so much for this magic moment !

[@clifffoster7677]

Such soulful and thought provoking music and I am so surprised at the origin of the Kora.

[@eveofhades9260]

Saw this on Instagram courtesy of Classic FM. It's so beautiful 🖤

[@svbotge]

This is sooo beautiful. Why is it so underrated?

[@monsieur9247]

One of most beautiful sound i hear❤️

[@lynndow3185]

Been looking for this ALL day!! Just lovely!!

[@cleohancock5384]

Thank you for making this available in the apple store. I had to have it for my collection. It's so hauntingly beautiful!

[@AdamDrumm]

Awesome.

[@davidj.maryl.bechtle3766]

Thank you, healed by this...blessings💐

[@sundarsingh987]

Nice 🎵🎶🎵🎶

[@untraveled]

Amazing

[@zsmain_1520]

wow this sounds stunning. can imagine that it needs some time to set up the instrument for this exact piece of music.

[@MaxDedo-channel]

wonderful

[@benelbedjaouiabdallah3618]

bravo man bravo

[@suzana301]

Thank you Everything is so beautiful The video the instrument your hands and the sound just touches & embraces our souls Thank you 💙

[@nanthiwatsarai3921]

First I hear that sounds on Facebook, then on KZbin, then on iTunes 😂 and now it’s already in my list🤣

[@findnwanderer2156]

I apreciate you recording at this perspective. Thank you!!! And your talent is beyond beautiful !!

[@Jannat-s5d]

Found this channel on KZbin This is so beautiful mashaAllh❤️❤️❤️

[@mongmagnet3271]

Mesmerisingly beautiful

[@kamikazitsunami]

I'm in love with this. ❤

[@miles1417]

Wow amazing talent George.i love it.Good luck and regards to your family

[@smerin]

Thank you and congratulations on your cooking channel! I’m going to make some blueberry muffins soon 😀

[@miles1417]

@@smerin oh really.thank you so much.in case you don't understand my video there's a recipe written on discription box please check.

[@enusker]

Beautiful! Keep them coming!

[@StennyD]

Shared by a musical friend on Facebook. This is truly amazing. I awate Metallica One with bated breath and all the best for the future !

[@smerin]

Thankyou! I do love One, and will give it a go, but there is another Metallica track which will work really nicely. Stay tuned!

[@StennyD]

@@smerin Awesome !!! Is it Orion by any chance (hoping) ;-) Ooooohhhh, The Call of Ktulu !!

[@sylvianeallen9499]

Beautiful sound!

[@yanapiano]

Love this beautiful version! Keep it up!

[@godo199011]

Sounds divine as it should 🖤👍

[@djembesoli1]

Just learned to play this on kora now. It's quite simple, yet beautiful. Crazy, but I needed to learn it myself to understand that this pop classic has classical sonata form as if it's a piece of Haydn and the like: Introduction, exposition, reprise, and coda. Seems that T4F did know their musical heritage.

[@vishpatel8476]

Ah saw a video from yourself on Facebook. Your videos are so relaxing, keep up the good work!

[@TheFiddle101]

beautiful

[@DemisLima]

Grato por enriquecer nossas vidas! "Kora, uma harpa da África Ocidental de 22 cordas."

[@fidelcastro5303]

Just for healing of soul

[@dustinallen9208]

I played this for my kitties who died in a house fire last year when I buried them. That and willie nelson Rainbow connection.

[@phyllispetras3369]

XXXXXXX OOOOOOO

[@EXP-oi7qs]

/~*~\ Beautiful. Thank you ~🤘🏽🎶✌🏽

[@geaninamaxim-vidrean5001]

Thank you!♥️

[@irishernandez563]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sergionater9872]

Nice Sound ❤

[@eepien]

Let us call it the West African Kora, not the West African Harp please.

[@DemisLima]

Meus sinceros parabéns!!!

[@djembesoli1]

Splendid! What equipment did you use for the recordings? Sounds brilliant! Thanks also for the videos with Watcha. Just got back from Kafountine last year when I found your videos...

[@smerin]

djembesoli1 glad you like. Kafountine is a wonderful place, I can’t wait to go back. This video was recorded with a pair of KM184 mics, and a GX80 camera. My newer videos came out a bit better, I’m still refining the art of filming, recording and playing simultaneously!

[@djembesoli1]

Great job you did -thanks for the quick answer!

[@michelinebeaudin3513]

My son shared this on Facebook. What a beautiful soothing sound, a pure delight for my ears...No need for other instruments :) When can we expect a cd? Thank you for sharing!

[@smerin]

Thank you! My aim for 2021 is to get an album recorded and released... I’ll be sure to post here and on Facebook / Instagram when it’s ready.

[@tshepobloy9932]

@@smerin How did you go my good sir? This is beautiful

[@Johnnyboybravo]

Perfect song for the way things are developing in USA. Both sides are horrible no matter which side you stand for.

[@possidar]

Wonderful. Beautiful. Well done! This may have been asked before. Please inform me what instrument you are playing on. Where can I procure the same?

[@agentham]

It's the Kora. Rob Scallon just came out with a video about it if you want to learn more on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoW6oaKQfrmll6c

[@mixyouvideos1047]

Justloveit

[@kellysturgeon6727]

This is the most beautiful non traditional so g I have ever heard on a Kora. What tuning to you use for this song?

[@smerin]

Thanks! It’s in tomora.

[@KathyPepers]

This is so beautiful! Besides the playing and the arrangement, the sound is amazing. I am struggling to get a good sound recording my harps - could I ask you how you recorded this/what you used? The sound is so full and fantastic!

[@smerin]

Hi Kathy, thanks! I used a pair of KM184 mics on this, but previously had some SE5 mics which also worked well. In more recent recordings I’ve actually just used one of the mics. I’ve never played or recorded a harp so can’t advise on positioning but just experiment until you find something you like. Also different rooms and positions in the room will make quite a difference. I tend to place the mic in front of my face pointing downwards towards the body of the Kora, as that is most similar to the sound I am used to hearing (plus keeps it out of camera shot). And I keep the mics quite close compared to usual recording advice - my room is not perfect acoustically so I prefer it close mic’d and then dose it in tons of lush reverb afterwards. Actually that is probably the main tip I can give you... Valhalla Vintage Verb plugin is a must!

[@KathyPepers]

Smerin - Thanks so much for the advice! Very much appreciated. 🙂

[@avijitroy6096]

খুব সুন্দর।❤️

[@piecomics2]

This is really nice! Is it in silaba tuning?

[@smerin]

Hey Ben, no it’s in Tomora... F, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, etc. I might do a tutorial video for playing this if you’re interested?

[@piecomics2]

I would love it! I will be playing an anniversary party and (despite the origin if the song) I think this would go well with my other songs.

[@finlayelliott6248]

amazing!! what is the tuning of the kora for this piece?

[@FloraArs]

can I use your cover for a youtube video on my channel? I would link your channel obviously as it should be, is just I love this one way more than the original one is calming and amazing...I can also tell my followers in the end to come here and check your music I dont know... let me know. :) pd: huge fan here

[@smerin]

Ah thanks, glad you like it. No problem for you to use it. A link would be great. Let me know when it’s uploaded.

[@glenmurray4650]

Hi George, I'd love to learn this, what key is the Kora tuned to? Do you have the notes written down?

[@smerin]

Hi Glen, it’s in Tomora. So that’s F, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, etc. I’ve been meaning to do a tutorial video for this for quite a while. Maybe I’ll find the time soon - keep an eye out here... good luck! Oh and btw I have a 22nd string (extra Bb on the bass) which is really helpful for this song.

[@glenmurray4650]

@@smerin Thanks George, I'll have a look into this as i'm very much a learner, can't wait for the tutorial video. All the best and Merry Christmas :-)

[@phyllispetras3369]

@@smerin Jaco likes.

[@chiefkief5347]

Could you post a tutorial please?

[@hoodinithegamer]

Am here from r/awesome on reddit... nice cover tho

[@theinfinitecrafter]

Same here

[@eetoved1758]

What kind of strings are you using? Amazing sound.

[@smerin]

Thanks! The strings are nylon, different gauges of fishing wire.

[@eetoved1758]

Thanks so much for replying! I'm a casual guitarist, and love knowing things like this. :) Wishing you a wonderful day! Thanks for the good that you bring into the world.

[@kelsi6273]

Can this song version be used for a personal video? Would gladly post credit where due. Thanks!

[@smerin]

Sure no problem, thanks for asking 👍

[@kelsi6273]

@@smerin Thank you! Love your work!

[@phyllispetras3369]

sleep help?

[@LycaonsMemories]

i am curious, after looking up a kora i noticed that yours doesnt look like any of the others. is it a special made one?

[@smerin]

It was made by The Kora Workshop in France. It's a little different to the Koras that are made in West Africa due to the easier access to specialist woodworking machinery, but it is still made in a mostly traditional way. It does have guitar tuning pegs which are a relatively modern innovation for the Kora, but you do find these on some African instruments too.

[@kenzachow]

Lady Gaga - Telephone ft. Beyoncé ?

[@oniverbrito968]

where you bough you kora and how much did it cost you?

[@smerin]

I brought it from The Kora Workshop… thekoraworkshop.co.uk/

[@nfoertsch5552]

Mad World INDEED Karma coming to get us because we weep what we sow

[@shivalingapparajapur722]

Hi want instrument kora

[@richardswancer4103]

This is also a rock song? Or just sounds very similar

[@richardswancer4103]

I really do enjoy this very mesmerizing hope you know the rock song I'm talking about because it was stuck in my head now just can't put the name on it yet

[@richardswancer4103]

I found it just realized you showed in video lol

[@dord4453]

Getting assassin's creed vibes.

[@agentham]

Rob Scallon gang, anyone?

[@onzi_3]

MINECRAFT AYO

[@RobertSlover]

"Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?"

[@phyllispetras3369]

GO EAT

[@RobertSlover]

@@phyllispetras3369 ?