Mad World
James Gillespie Lyrics
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Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
The tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrows
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
That 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 they 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 kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
That 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
It's a mad world, mad world
In James Gillespie’s song Mad World, the lyrics paint a picture of a society that is filled with worn out faces and people running in circles to nowhere. Everyone seems to be going through the same daily routine with no sense of hope or purpose. These people are drowning their sorrows, which is portrayed by the tears filling their glasses. The singer of the song finds it both funny and sad that the best dreams he has ever had are the ones in which he is dying. This is a clear indication of the hopeless state that the world is in. The children waiting to feel good, albeit on their birthday, are also depicted as waiting for something that might never come.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of invisibility and disconnection felt by many individuals in society. The singer felt nervous and unseen when he went to school as no one knew him. Even his teachers looked right through him, leaving him with no sense of validation or significance. This is a haunting reminder of how anonymity can be incredibly impactful on an individual's mental and emotional health.
Overall, James Gillespie’s Mad World is a poignant commentary on the state of society in the modern world. It is a bleak reflection of the anxiety, disconnection, and hopelessness that many feel, which is further exacerbated by the complexities of the world today.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
Everywhere I go, I see people I know
Worn out places, worn out faces
The surroundings are old and tired and so are the people
Bright and early for the daily races
People are up early to participate in their daily routine
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Despite the effort, the daily routine doesn't lead to any real progress
The tears are filling up their glasses
People are crying so much that they are filling up their glasses with tears
No expression, no expression
People are emotionless and not showing any feelings
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrows
I want to hide and drink to numb myself from the sadness
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I don't see a future or any hope
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
I have mixed emotions and find it ironic that my best dreams are about dying
That dreams in which I′m dying, are the best I've ever had
My best dreams are those in which I am dying
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
It's difficult for me to express my thoughts and feelings
When people run in circles it's a very very mad world, mad world
People are stuck in repetitive cycles that are driving them crazy
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids are looking forward to when they will feel happy
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Birthdays are a symbol of happiness
And they feel the way that every child should
Kids should feel happy, carefree, and loved
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Kids should be heard and given attention
Went to school and I was very nervous
I was anxious and scared when I went to school
No one knew me, no one knew me
I felt like nobody knew who I was
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
I want to be taught and guided by my teacher
Look right through me, look right through me
My teacher is ignoring me and not giving me the attention I need
It's a mad world, mad world
The world that we live in is insane and crazy
Writer(s): Roland Orzabal
Contributed by Jake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@krystiannapieraa4537
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places
Worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
The tears are fillig up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I wonna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
Find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I 've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find hard to take
When people running circles its 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
He looked right through me, 'looked right through me
And I find it kind of funny
Find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I 've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find hard to take
When people runnin' circles its a very, very
Mad world, mad world
Enlarge on your world
Mad world
@ETIENNESDAD1
THIS IS THE BEST VERSION EVER ....THIS GUY IS AMAZING !!! WHY HE IS NOT A MEGA STAR ?? WHY??
@kyleighsherman8790
wow really amazing and raw!!!
@lalnunpuii1326
You bring back the meaningful message behind this song again. It becomes a meme song,it sounds funny to everyone.thanks James..... i hope you get all the love and recognition that you deserve
@MsLadyCatherine
So perfect ! Merci James for this beautiful performance !!! ♥
@LolaBug99
Something about this song gets me on my feelings hits the heart deep maybe that’s why I love it you have a wonderful voice btw❤️
@alycegandy4361
May have cried a little. Beautiful x
@sabrinaspoon
Love this
@minha_irie
Damn! What a version! 🤯
@IDES992069777
verey very good
@sarinhasouza996
Nossa amei voz linda xonei 😍❤😢