The dreams in which I'm dying

I first heard this song when a friend of mine used it as his MySpace profile song. I was surprised at how slow, sad and downright depressing it was. Eventually, I learned that it came from the soundtrack of the movie "Donnie Darko," which is, of course, a very dark and twisted movie. I still haven't seen it all the way through, but screen captures of the scary bunny are enough to make me wary of any long-eared, buck-toothed critters that cross my path. And this song is so quietly sad that, if anyone tells me it's their favorite song, my first impulse is to take them by the hand and say, "It's ok, we can get you some help. Just come with me and think happy thoughts."

Of course, it turns out that this song is actually a cover of the Tears for Fears song that was released in the 80s. Tears for Fears is a fairly upbeat group, and their version of this song is, naturally, pretty perky. But the words are the same, and some of the more off-putting minor keys are enough to make even the "perky" version disturbing. It's a different sort of disturbing, though... Instead of the sad slowness that brings mental pictures of a lonely, suicidal teenager (my emotional reaction to the Donnie Darko version), the "upbeat" version brings mental pictures of Buffalo Bill from "Silence of the Lambs" dancing around his house in psychotic bliss. It's high-energy, off-kilter, I-will-kill-you-but-smile-while-I-do-it music. Creepy.

This version is better if you like beautiful, albeit sad, music. The original is better if you like to dance while you cry. Neither is recommended if you're already depressed... It could push you over the edge. With a lyric like "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I ever had," how could it NOT be depressing?? If you do choose to listen to it, follow it up with Bowling for Soup's "High School Never Ends" or They Might Be Giants' "New York City." You'll feel much better.