Mad World
Black Moon Lovers Lyrics


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All around me are familiar faces
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
Made to 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Mad World" by Black Moon Lovers depict a feeling of alienation and detachment from the world around us. The song opens with the singer observing the people around him who seem to be going through the same routine every day, without any real sense of purpose. They appear to be resigned to their fate, and the lines "Going nowhere, going nowhere" emphasize this sense of hopelessness. However, their pain is also evident, as they try to hide their emotions but cannot conceal the tears filling up their glasses.


The singer then turns inward and shares his own feelings of despair. He talks about how he finds it both funny and sad that his dreams involve dying, suggesting that death might be a release from the madness of the world. The repetition of the line "It's a very, very mad world" drives home the point that life can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially for those who feel like they don't fit in.


The final line "Enlarge your world" seems to offer a glimmer of hope. By enlarging our world, we can gain new perspectives and find meaning in our lives. However, it's unclear how one can accomplish this, which adds to the overall feeling of ambiguity and uncertainty that pervades the song.


Line by Line Meaning

All around me are familiar faces
I see the same faces everyday in my mundane life


Worn out places, worn out faces
The places and people around me are old and tired


Bright and early for their daily races
People start their day early, but they are stuck in a cycle of unfulfilling routines


Going nowhere, going nowhere
Despite their daily efforts, they are not making any progress in life


Their tears are filling up their glasses
People are sad and crying so much that their glasses are filling up with tears


No expression, no expression
People are not showing any emotions, they are numb and detached


Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
I feel so sad and overwhelmed that I want to hide and forget my problems


No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I am hopeless and feel like there is no future for me


And I find it kinda funny
I am amused by the irony of life


I find it kinda sad
But at the same time, I feel sad about it


The dreams in which I'm dying
My dreams where I die are the most vivid and realistic


Are the best I've ever had
These dreams feel better and more meaningful than my waking life


I find it hard to tell you
It's difficult for me to explain how I feel to others


I find it hard to take
I cannot accept the way things are


When people run in circles
People are stuck in the same repetitive cycle


It's a very, very mad world, mad world
The world is insane and unreasonable


Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids hope for a brighter future when they will feel happy


Happy birthday, happy birthday
Birthdays are supposed to be happy, but they are often not


Made to feel the way that every child should
Children should feel loved and valued, but many don't


Sit and listen, sit and listen
Children are taught to be silent and obedient


Went to school and I was very nervous
I was anxious and scared when I started school


No one knew me, no one knew me
I felt alone and isolated because nobody knew or understood me


Hello, teacher, tell me what's my lesson
I am seeking guidance and direction from my teacher


Look right through me, look right through me
But my teacher doesn't see me or my struggles


Enlarge your world
Expand your horizons and see beyond yourself


Mad world
But also acknowledge the insanity and chaos of the world we live in




Writer(s): Roland Orzabal

Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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