Few Christian bands have enjoyed the longevity and underground critical acclaim as Mad at the World. From the day mailman and lead singer Roger Rose stuck a tape in a record company executive's mailbox until current times, Mad at the World has turned heads with their provocative music.
The first two albums featured a synth/pop style of music. Then, in order to have a sound more amiable for live performances, the band's musical style shifted to hard rock for the next three albums. The last two albums brought some member changes and a more retro sounding style of music.
Lyrically, the band delves into the many struggles we face in life and reminds us of our hope in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Issues dealt with in the songs include drugs, anger, hopelessness, and lost loves -- as well as hope, love, peace, forgiveness, blessed relationships, and eternal life.
summer's gone
Mad At The World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't really care,
I know that it was just so unfair,
And oh, how you tried and I would laugh at you when you cried,
Now I can see it clear, the pain in each precious tear.
Summer's gone and winter came,
My baby's gone, left me in the rain,
The love that wanted me is now the setting sun.
You waited so long,
You tried and prayed and stayed,
You were strong,
The life that I would live you always found a way to forgive,
"Get on your knees and crawl, I'll have it all my way or not at all," that's how I felt before, until the day she walked out that door.
Summer's gone and winter came,
My baby's gone, left me in the rain,
A lonely man have I become,
The love that wanted me is now the setting sun.
Summer's gone and winter came,
My baby's gone, I've got myself to blame,
A lonely man have I become,
The love that wanted me is now the setting sun,
Is now the setting sun.
The song "Summer's Gone" by Mad At The World reflects the regret of a man who has lost the love of his life. The opening line suggests that the man can see now what he didn't before, indicating that he has realized his mistakes but it is now too late to make amends. He then admits that he didn't care about the pain he caused to his partner and that he was unfair in his treatment of her. He also acknowledges that he laughed at her when she cried, showing a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards her feelings. However, he now realizes the pain he has caused her and can see the preciousness of her tears.
The chorus of the song reinforces the sadness and loneliness of the singer as he sings about how the summer, a time of warmth and happiness, has been replaced by winter, a time of coldness and sorrow. He describes himself as a lonely man who has lost the love that wanted him and compares her departure to the setting sun, implying that his chance of happiness has now disappeared.
The second verse is addressed to the singer's partner and expresses regret for the way he treated her. He acknowledges that she waited long for him, prayed for him, and stayed by his side through thick and thin. He acknowledges her strength and resilience and how she always found a way to forgive him, even when his behavior was unacceptable. However, he was blinded by his own ego and thought he could have it all his way or not at all. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the singer's realization that he is the one to blame for his loneliness and that the love he took for granted has now gone forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see it now, but I can see that's it's just too late,
Even though I see my mistakes now, it's too late to make things right.
I didn't really care,
I was indifferent to my partner's feelings and needs, which contributed to the downfall of the relationship.
I know that it was just so unfair,
I realize that I treated my partner unfairly and without consideration.
And oh, how you tried and I would laugh at you when you cried,
My partner put in effort to make things work, but I didn't take them seriously and even mocked them when they showed vulnerability.
Now I can see it clear, the pain in each precious tear.
In hindsight, I can fully see and understand the hurt I caused my partner, as evidenced by their tears.
Summer's gone and winter came,
The world has changed, and time has passed since the relationship ended.
My baby's gone, left me in the rain,
My partner left me, and I was left feeling alone and abandoned.
A lonely man have I become,
I am now alone and dealing with the aftermath of the relationship's end.
The love that wanted me is now the setting sun.
The person who full-heartedly loved and wanted me is gone now, and our love has ended like the setting of the sun.
You waited so long,
My partner was patient and waited for me to change or make an effort to save the relationship.
You tried and prayed and stayed,
Through all the difficulty, my partner tried to make things work and even prayed for our relationship to last.
You were strong,
My partner displayed strength and resilience despite facing rejection and heartache from me.
The life that I would live you always found a way to forgive,
Even when I failed, my partner was always quick to forgive me and keep trying to make things work.
"Get on your knees and crawl, I'll have it all my way or not at all," that's how I felt before, until the day she walked out that door.
I used to have a controlling attitude like wanting things done my way, but I only realized the error of my ways when my partner left me.
My baby's gone, I've got myself to blame,
I am responsible for the end of the relationship, and my partner leaving was a direct result of my actions and behavior.
Is now the setting sun.
Our love has come to an end, and there is no going back or turning back the clock.
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.