Mad World
Justin Clancy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aw babe
You know it's a mad world
I traded all my silver dollars
For a train that never came
Know I had some dark days
Living in this mad world
What good is everything for something
If it's nothing any ways

All those losses
With all that promise
Tack it on my ball and chain (I don't wanna fall from grace)
Don't tell dad and don't tell my mom
I tried to kill myself today (I don't wanna fall from grace)

Aw babe
You know it's a mad world
I traded all my silver dollars
For a train that never came

They say that the hardest part about falling is
No one knows that you falling
I'm like a fish out of water with
Everybody just watching
Dark inside of my place
All you see is full ashtrays and empty poems
Write a song I hate you love then we hold hands and sing along
These walls I got don't know how to talk
But they can echo
All my darkest thoughts I been so distraught
Lately can't let go
Must be nice to be so nice
It must be great to feel so special
Wonder where this grass is green
If you know what I mean
Summer ain't what it was
It could be ninety degrees
Still numb to the core
Still numb to your touch when you love me
This beautiful ugly
Just ain't what I want no more, no more, no more

Aw babe
You know it's a mad world
I traded all my silver dollars
For a train that never came

Know I had some dark days
Living in this mad world
What good is everything for something
If it's nothing any ways
All those losses
With all that promise
Tack it on my ball and chain (I don't wanna fall from grace)
Don't tell dad and don't tell my mom
I tried to kill myself today (I don't wanna fall from grace)

Aw babe
You know it's a mad world

I traded all my silver dollars
For a train that never came

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Justin Clancy's song "Mad World" delve into the theme of despair and disillusionment in a chaotic world. The opening lines set the tone by acknowledging the madness of the world we live in. The line "I traded all my silver dollars for a train that never came" implies a sense of lost opportunity or futile pursuits. It suggests that the singer has invested in something that never materialized, leaving them feeling empty and frustrated.

The lyrics also touch on personal struggles and a sense of isolation. The line "All you see is full ashtrays and empty poems" paints a picture of someone lost in their own darkness, unable to communicate or connect with others. The following lines about writing a song that the singer hates but singing along with someone they love could be interpreted as a desire to please others at the expense of their own artistic expression or personal happiness.

The chorus repeats the sentiment that it is a mad world and questions the purpose of acquiring possessions or achievements if they ultimately mean nothing. The lines "All those losses with all that promise" suggest a feeling of disappointment despite the potential that was once believed in. The reference to attempting suicide highlights the depths of despair and the desire to escape from the struggles of this mad world. Overall, the song captures a sense of disillusionment, dark emotions, and the search for meaning in a chaotic existence.

Line by Line Meaning

Aw babe
Oh darling

You know it's a mad world
You understand that this world is chaotic and unpredictable

I traded all my silver dollars
I gave up all my valuable possessions

For a train that never came
In exchange for a promise or opportunity that never materialized

Know I had some dark days
I experienced moments of deep sadness and despair

Living in this mad world
Existing in this chaotic and unpredictable world

What good is everything for something
What is the value of gaining everything in exchange for something

If it's nothing any ways
If it ultimately holds no significance

All those losses
All the defeats and setbacks

With all that promise
Despite having high hopes and expectations

Tack it on my ball and chain (I don't wanna fall from grace)
Add it to the burdens and restraints that hold me back (I don't want to lose my dignity and respect)

Don't tell dad and don't tell my mom
Do not inform my father and mother

I tried to kill myself today (I don't wanna fall from grace)
I attempted suicide today (I don't want to lose my dignity and respect)

They say that the hardest part about falling is
According to others, the most difficult aspect of failure is

No one knows that you falling
No one is aware that you are experiencing a downfall

I'm like a fish out of water with
I feel out of place and uncomfortable with

Everybody just watching
Everyone simply observing

Dark inside of my place
A feeling of darkness within my surroundings

All you see is full ashtrays and empty poems
All that is visible are ashtrays filled with cigarette butts and poetry devoid of emotion

Write a song I hate you love then we hold hands and sing along
Compose a song that conveys my resentment while you express affection, yet we still unite and sing together

These walls I got don't know how to talk
The walls I possess are incapable of communicating

But they can echo
However, they can reverberate sounds

All my darkest thoughts I been so distraught
My most distressing thoughts continually trouble me

Lately can't let go
Recently, I have been unable to detach myself from these emotions

Must be nice to be so nice
It must be delightful to possess such kindness

It must be great to feel so special
It must be wonderful to experience a sense of uniqueness

Wonder where this grass is green
I ponder where the situation is more favorable

If you know what I mean
If you understand what I'm trying to convey

Summer ain't what it was
Summer is not as enjoyable as it used to be

It could be ninety degrees
The temperature could be scorching hot

Still numb to the core
Still completely devoid of feeling

Still numb to your touch when you love me
Still unaffected by your affectionate gestures towards me