The Disturbed 'Hello Darkness My Old Friend' meme features the 2015 cover of 'The Sound of Silence' originally by Simon & Garfunkel. The video clip showcases lead singer David Draiman in a dramatic, dimly lit performance that highlights his intense facial expressions and powerful vocals. While originally part of a music video directed by Matt Mahurin, the clip's peak meme status arrived after the band's 2016 performance on Conan O'Brien's late-night show. The meme uses the opening lyric and Draiman's somber face to convey a sense of overwhelming sadness or sudden, tragic realization. This clip is frequently utilized in reaction style memes to depict existential dread or the feeling of being completely defeated by life's circumstances. It is the go-to template for depicting a 'thousand-yard stare' when something goes hilariously wrong or when reflecting on poor life choices. Common relatable scenarios include staring into the distance after a breakup or realizing you have to go to work in the morning. Example captions include: 'Me at 3 AM thinking about an embarrassing thing I said in 2012', 'When you realize the weekend is over', and 'Watching your food rotate in the microwave while you contemplate your life.'