Mad World
Lambert Adam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worn out spaces, worn out places
Bright and early for the daily races
Goin' nowhere, goin' nowhere
And their tears are fillin' up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dyin' are the best I 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 waitin' 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 kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dyin' 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
The song "Mad World" by Lambert Adam showcases a hauntingly beautiful melody that depicts the reality of a society whose inhabitants are sad, lost and disenchanted with life. The lyrics start with the singer's observation of the people around him/her. The faces may be familiar, but the places they frequent are rundown and outdated. The people seem to be in a hurry to get somewhere, but that somewhere leads them to nowhere. The next line refers to the people's tears, and the fact that they are drowning their sorrows in alcohol, oblivious to the world around them. There's no expression in their eyes, and the singer retreats inside his/her own head to escape the grim reality.
The chorus has two parts that detail the singer's conflicting emotions. On one hand, he/she finds it amusing and funny that the dreams in which he/she is dying happen to be the best he/she has ever had, while on the other hand, he/she is saddened by the vicious cycle of life where people keep running in circles, caught up in the madness of everyday existence. The following verse talks about children who are waiting to feel good, but the way they are made to feel may not reflect their innermost desires. The singer's own childhood was marked by nervousness due to the fact that nobody knew him/her, and the people he/she sought guidance from (teachers) weren't attentive to his/her needs. The final chorus repeats the same words, offering a bleak picture of a mad world where finding solace seems like an impossibility.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
The people around me are unknown yet familiar, and I feel disconnected from them.
Worn out spaces, worn out places
The places around me are dull and uninviting, and have been overused.
Bright and early for the daily races
Everyone wakes up early to compete in their daily routines, but it leads nowhere.
Goin' nowhere, goin' nowhere
Despite their efforts, people are stuck in a rut and not making progress.
And their tears are fillin' up their glasses
Others are drowning in their emotions, and it's overwhelming.
No expression, no expression
People seem lifeless and numb to their surroundings, without showing any emotions.
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
I want to block out the world and forget my pain.
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
There's a sense of hopelessness, that there's no future to look forward to.
And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad
I have mixed emotions about the situation, as it's both ironic and depressing.
The dreams in which I'm dyin' are the best I ever had
Even the darkest of dreams are better than reality, as they offer an escape.
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
It's difficult for me to express myself, and it's also tough to handle what's happening around me.
When people run in circles it's a very, very
People keep repeating the same actions and getting nowhere, and it's a crazy cycle.
Mad world, mad world
The world is a chaotic and insane place.
Children waitin' for the day they feel good
Kids are waiting for a time when they can be happy, but it's not happening.
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Birthdays are supposed to be happy occasions, but the reality doesn't match up.
Made to feel the way that every child should
Children are supposed to be carefree and loved, but the opposite is happening.
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Kids are told to be quiet and follow rules, without being able to express themselves.
Went to school and I was very nervous
Going to school is a tense and scary experience for me.
No one knew me, no one knew me
I felt invisible and insignificant to others at school.
Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson?
I am seeking guidance and direction from my teacher, as I feel lost.
Look right through me, look right through me
My teacher doesn't see or acknowledge me, as if I'm invisible.
Mad world, mad world
The world is a chaotic and insane place.
Mad world, mad world
The world is a chaotic and insane place.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Empressoftheflames
Adam was just so different from everyone else on Idol that season. His song choices and style were just on another level. This man was born to be a star!
@julicooke4266
That was the problem. No one knew how to take Adam and what BOX to put him in because there is NO BOX.
@luxurylass
NATURAL BORN STAR-- EVEN MY MOM HAD THE HOTS FOR HIM AND SHE WAS 84 AT THE TIME--LOL
@barbarajohnson-mccord5984
Empressoftheflames I agree hole heartedly
@DernLud
Empressoftheflames yes!! Adam is phenomenal!!
@JackIsNotInTheBox
HE STILL LOST THO
@kevinnegoro1118
He may not have won the battle but he definitely won the war. What a legend.
@ggisheretostay5678
YEP---BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HIM ...
@connor5837
Looking back on seeing this when I was a kid, I think this performance changed me. Incredible song.
And true.
@tinaliston
I love this comment