The band started as a hardcore punk band but later moved towards a slower and blues-tinged heavy metal sound. To date, the band has released ten studio albums, four EPs, one compilation, and one live album. Their first three studio albums―Eye for an Eye (1984), Animosity (1985) and Blind (1991)―attracted the attention of Columbia Records, who signed the band in 1993. Corrosion of Conformity found success with the release of their 1994 fourth studio album, Deliverance, which peaked at number 155 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hits "Albatross" and "Clean My Wounds". Their 1996 follow-up Wiseblood was also successful, and at the time, it was Corrosion of Conformity's highest-charting album in the United States, peaking at number 104 on the Billboard 200. Their latest album, No Cross No Crown, was released on January 12, 2018 on Nuclear Blast Records, and became the band's first album to enter the Top 100 on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number 67.
Mad World
Corrosion of Conformity Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying it's all to keep the peace
They're saying one thing doing another
Both sides of the scales of power
The deadly loads increase
Mad world we're living in a mad world
We're living in a mad mad mad mad mad world
As they sit down at the table
They prepare for their intervention
A military masadventure or two
People today ask fewer questions
Accepting the excuses on TV
As negotiations grab the attention
They repeat the lies
Until they sound like the truth
Mad world we're living in a mad world
We're living in a mad mad mad mad mad world
The lyrics to Corrosion of Conformity's song "Mad World" revolve around the idea of power and its abuse. The first line "Certain leaders build their tools of death" refers to persons in power who manipulate and abuse their authority and resources to create weapons of mass destruction in the name of national security. These leaders justify their actions by claiming that they are necessary to maintain peace, however, they are really just increasing deadly loads in the world. The second verse speaks specifically about how leaders prepare for war and convince the public to support their actions by controlling the media and repeating lies until they sound true. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and anguish at the way the world is being governed and the lack of accountability and transparency in government affairs.
Overall, the song urges the listener to question authority and not blindly accept what they are told by those in power. It highlights the importance of a free and independent media that is able to report on government actions without censorship or control. The song also suggests the dangers of nationalistic fervor and militarism, warning that these can lead to conflict and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Certain leaders build their tools of death
Some leaders are responsible for creating weapons of destruction
Saying it's all to keep the peace
Justifying their actions by claiming that it's necessary for maintaining peace
They're saying one thing doing another
Acting in a contradictory way to what they claim
Both sides of the scales of power
The people in power are not to be trusted or relied upon
The deadly loads increase
The number of threats and potential dangers continue to rise
Mad world we're living in a mad world
The current state of the world is chaotic and out of control
We're living in a mad mad mad mad mad world
The world has gone beyond insanity and turned into a hopeless place
As they sit down at the table
Leaders hold meetings and negotiate to advance their own interests
Trapping the media's narrow view
The media is being manipulated to present limited and biased information
They prepare for their intervention
Getting ready for violent action or war
A military masadventure or two
Mistakes made by the military can result in disastrous consequences
People today ask fewer questions
People are becoming more complacent and less curious about the activities of those in power
Accepting the excuses on TV
Believing the justifications presented on television without much critical thinking
As negotiations grab the attention
The public is distracted by superficial attempts to resolve issues
They repeat the lies
Leaders continue to promote falsehoods and misrepresentations
Until they sound like the truth
The repetition of lies can perpetuate a false narrative that is eventually accepted as factual
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind