Mad World
DLG Orchestra Lyrics
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Worn out places
Worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Goin nowhere
Goin nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression
Hang my head I wanna drown my sorrow
No tommorow
No tommorow
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...
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 dreamin 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...
I'm large in your world
Mad world...
The DLG Orchestra's song "Mad World" is a captivating examination of the inherent loneliness and isolation that comes with modern society. The song opens with the poignant image of "familiar faces" that are both "worn out" and "worn out faces," indicating that society has become tired the constant race for success and happiness. The phrase "Bright and early for the daily races" suggests that the people being described are dedicated to pursuing their goals, even if it means running in circles without getting anywhere. This repetitive and meaningless existence is captured perfectly in the line "Goin nowhere, goin nowhere."
The song turns even more stark with the lyrics "Their tears are filling up their glasses / No expression, no expression," revealing that these people are going through the motions of life without really living it. The singer's response is to want to "drown my sorrow" and live entirely in the present moment, without worrying about the future. The disturbing line "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had" suggests that the singer is more content to exist in a dreamlike state than to face the harsh realities of a mad world.
The haunting melody of the song is accentuated by the raw emotion in the DLG Orchestra's performance, which adds an unsettling tone to an already unsettling song. "Mad World" is a poignant commentary on the societal pressure to conform and the feeling of being disconnected despite being surrounded by people. It is an ode to the lonely souls that hide in plain sight and the high price society pays for its quest to achieve perfection.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
I see the same people every day
Worn out places
The surroundings are old and tired
Worn out faces
The people are also tired and lack expression
Bright and early for the daily races
Everyone is up early to compete in life's challenges
Goin nowhere
Despite their efforts, people feel like they are not getting anywhere in life
Their tears are filling up their glasses
People are sad and crying
No expression
People don't show emotion, possibly in a state of despair
Hang my head I wanna drown my sorrow
Feeling down and wanting to forget about the problems
No tommorow
There seems to be no future or hope
And I find it kinda funny I find it kinda sad
The irony of people's situations is both amusing and sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
Dreams about escaping from reality and facing death are more fulfilling than living in this world
I find it hard to tell you I find it hard to take
It's difficult to explain and accept these feelings
When people run in circles it's a very very... Mad world...
People are stuck in a cycle of unfulfillment and sadness
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids are waiting for happiness and contentment
Happy birthday
The only day when people expect things to be different and happy
And I feel the way that every child should
Feeling carefree and happy like children do
Sit and listen
The simple enjoyment of listening to others
Went to school and I was very nervous
Education can be nerve-wracking and intimidating
No one knew me
Being unnoticed and feeling like an outsider
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
The search for guidance and direction
Look right through me
Feeling invisible or unimportant
I'm large in your world, Mad world...
Feeling insignificant in a world that doesn't notice or value us
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.