Mad World
★Gary Jules Lyrics
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Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world, mad world
Children waiting for the day, they feel good
Happy birthday, happy birthday
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson?
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world, mad world
Enlarge your world
Mad world
The song "Mad World" is a melancholic ballad performed by Gary Jules with a minimalist arrangement of a piano and vocals. The opening verse describes the monotonous and unfulfilling routine of people's daily lives, with "worn out faces" and a racing mentality that leads nowhere. The second verse switches to a nostalgic reminiscence of childhood innocence, where the singer feels like an outsider and unnoticed by others. The chorus contrasts these perceptions with a surreal and absurd view of the world, where death is a preferable alternative to life's disillusionments. The final line "mad world" suggests that society is insane, and the singer is caught in this madness, feeling both amused and distressed.
The lyrics of "Mad World" reflect the societal disconnection and emotional numbness of modern life. This interpretation was enhanced by the song's use in the soundtrack of the cult movie "Donnie Darko" (2001), a surrealistic depiction of teenage angst, time travel, and mental illness. The song became an instant classic, reaching number one in the UK charts and being covered by various artists in different genres, including Tears for Fears, whose original version was more upbeat and electronic. The song's popularity led to a re-recording and a music video, both featuring Michael Andrews' piano arrangement and Jules' vocals. The video presents a bleak landscape of deserted streets and empty houses, resembling a post-apocalyptic scenario or a dream-like state, reinforcing the idea of a "mad world."
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
I am surrounded by people who I know very well.
Worn out places, worn out faces
These people are living in places and situations that are no longer new or exciting.
Bright and early for their daily races
They wake up early and get ready for their routine activities.
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Despite their efforts, they are not making any significant progress or achieving their goals.
Their tears are filling up their glasses
These people are sad and constantly crying.
No expression, no expression
Their faces do not show any emotion or feeling.
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
I want to escape from the reality of my life, which is full of sorrow and pain.
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I do not see any hope or future for myself.
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
I have mixed feelings about the situation and the people around me.
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
Even in my dreams, the experience of death is more desirable than the reality of my life.
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
It is difficult for me to express my emotions and to accept the reality of my life.
When people run in circles it's a very very
When people are stuck in a cycle of routine and not making any real progress, it is a very difficult and frustrating situation.
Mad world, mad world
This world is crazy and full of pain and suffering.
Children waiting for the day, they feel good
Children are looking forward to a day when they will feel happy and content.
Happy birthday, happy birthday
They are celebrating their special day, but it may not bring the happiness they seek.
And I feel the way that every child should
Describing how every child should feel happy.
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Children should listen and learn from their elders.
Went to school and I was very nervous
I was anxious when I first went to school.
No one knew me, no one knew me
I was new and unfamiliar to the people at school.
Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson?
I am eagerly looking to learn and be taught something new.
Look right through me, look right through me
The teacher did not pay attention to me and did not recognize my potential or abilities.
Enlarge your world
This is a call to broaden your horizons and seek new experiences and perspectives.
Mad world
This world is full of pain, confusion, and madness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind