Mad World
Andrews 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 lyrics to Andrews Michael feat. Gary Jules's song Mad World are a commentary on the emptiness, loneliness, and hopelessness that can be found in modern life. The song describes a world where people are going through the motions of their daily lives with no purpose or fulfillment. The lines "All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces" paint a picture of a dreary, monotonous existence. The reference to "daily races" that lead "nowhere" further emphasizes this feeling of aimlessness.
The chorus of the song is where the title Mad World comes into play. The lyric "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" speaks to the irony of life. It's as if the singer is saying that even in his dreams, which should offer a sense of escape and possibility, his mind is obsessed with thoughts of death. The chorus is a contrast to the verses in that it reveals a deep desire for meaning and connection, but also a sense of helplessness and despair.
In the second verse, the song speaks directly to childhood experiences. The lines "Children waiting for the day they feel good, happy birthday, happy birthday, made to feel the way that every child should, sit and listen, sit and listen" describe the pressure to conform and follow a prescribed path. The final lines of the song, "Enlarge your world, mad world," offer a directive to look beyond the narrow confines of our own experience and search for something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
I am surrounded by people I know well
Worn out places, worn out faces
The people and surroundings here are tired and exhausted
Bright and early for their daily races
Everyone wakes up early to start their daily routine
Going nowhere, going nowhere
These routines ultimately lead nowhere, lacking purpose or direction
Their tears are filling up their glasses
The people here are very sad and cry a lot
No expression, no expression
There is no joy or enthusiasm in their faces
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
I am overwhelmed with sadness and want to escape
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I don't see any hope for the future
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
I have mixed feelings about the situation around me
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
My dreams of death and escape are the happiest and most peaceful things I experience
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
It is difficult for me to express or accept what I see
When people run in circles it's a very very
When people repeat the same patterns over and over again, it becomes a very destructive
Mad world, mad world
The world I see around me is insane and chaotic
Children waiting for the day, they feel good
Children are eagerly waiting to feel happy and satisfied at some point in the future
Happy birthday, happy birthday
A seemingly joyous occasion like a birthday can be meaningless and empty
Made to feel the way that every child should
Children are expected to feel a certain way, regardless of their actual emotions
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Children are taught to be quiet and obedient
Went to school and I was very nervous
I was extremely anxious when I went to school
No one knew me, no one knew me
I felt unnoticed and unimportant
Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson
I ask my teacher what I am supposed to learn
Look right through me, look right through me
My teacher doesn't pay attention to me or my needs
Enlarge your world
Expand your perspective and seek out new experiences
Mad world
The world we live in can be chaotic and discouraging
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind