Two decades later, the song made a popular resurgence when it was covered by composers Michael Andrews and Gary Jules for the soundtrack to the movie Donnie Darko.
Mad World
Michael Andrew Lyrics
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Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
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
Children waiting 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 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, world
Enlarge your world
Mad world
The lyrics to Michael Andrews' "Mad World" capture a sense of hopelessness and despondency, depicting a world where people are trapped in routine and emptiness. The opening line, "All around me are familiar faces," sets the tone for the song, describing a world where people have lost their individuality and are merely going through the motions of their daily lives. The second line adds to this sense of weariness and boredom, with "worn out places, worn out faces" painting a picture of a world that's been drained of its vitality and color.
The verse continues, with lines like "bright and early for their daily races" and "going nowhere, going nowhere" highlighting the futility of people's actions. The chorus then shifts in tone, with the singer admitting that they find the situation both "funny" and "sad". The line "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had" is a poignant one, suggesting that people might prefer a world where they can escape their current reality. The phrase "mad world" repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of confusion and chaos that's present beneath the monotony.
The second verse shifts focus to children, who are waiting for the day when they will finally feel good. However, even their joy is regimented and controlled, as they are "made to feel the way that every child should". The final lines of the verse are particularly bleak, with the singer describing a moment from their own childhood where they felt unseen and unacknowledged by their teacher. Altogether, "Mad World" is a compelling commentary on the emptiness of modern life and the sense of isolation that can accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
I am surrounded by people I know
Worn out places, worn out faces
Their surroundings and themselves are tired
Bright and early for their daily races
They wake up early to start their day
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their efforts lead to no progress
Their tears are filling up their glasses
They are sad or distressed to the point of tears
No expression, no expression
Their emotions are not visible
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
I want to avoid my problems
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
There is no future for me to look forward to
And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad
I have mixed emotions about what I see
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
Even my dreams are better than the reality I face
I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take
I struggle to express and accept what I witness
When people run in circles it's a very very mad world mad world
When people are stuck in repetition, it's a chaotic and insane world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids are hoping for a good day
Happy birthday, happy birthday
They only feel joy on their birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Kids are supposed to feel happy and carefree
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Kids are expected to be quiet and obedient
Went to school and I was very nervous
I was anxious about going to school
No one knew me, no one knew me
I didn't have any friends or recognition
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
I am seeking guidance from authority figures
Look right through me, look right through me
My needs and feelings are ignored
Mad world, world
The world is crazy
Enlarge your world
See beyond your immediate surroundings
Mad world
The world is chaotic
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ROLAND ORZABAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wolfgangcuttler1023
Mundo Louco
Tudo ao meu redor são rostos familiares
Lugares desgastados - faces desgastadas
Claro e cedo para suas corridas diárias
Indo a lugar nenhum - indo a lugar nenhum
Suas lágrimas estão enchendo seus copos
Sem expressão - sem expressão
Escondo minha cabeça, eu quero afogar meu sofrimento
Sem amanhã - sem amanhã
E eu acho isso meio divertido
Eu acho isso meio triste
Os sonhos nos quais estou morrendo
São os melhores que já tive
Eu acho difícil para dizer-lhe
Eu acho difícil para aceitar
Quando pessoas correm em círculos
É um mundo muito, muito louco
Crianças esperam pelo dia que se sintam bem
Feliz aniversário - Feliz aniversário
Eu me sinto como toda criança deveria
Sentar e escutar - sentar e escutar
Fui para a escola e eu estava muito nervoso
Ninguém me conhecia - ninguém me conhecia
Olá professor me diga qual é minha lição
Olhe bem pra mim - olhe bem pra mim
E eu acho isso meio divertido
Eu acho isso meio triste
Os sonhos nos quais estou morrendo
são os melhores que já tive
Eu acho difícil para dizer-lhe
Eu acho difícil para aceitar
Quando pessoas correm em círculos
É um mundo muito, muito louco
@dakotaw.5610
"I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad. The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had" felt that...
@klaudiaw2977
Me too...
@luisafernandamejia7406
❤❤
@arturcgs
This song is just so beautiful
@_xbuki107
And sad
@user-ex3bh2pb6j
It's just as beautiful as it's sad.
@marcogau2086
Your comment deserve sooo many more likes.
@Ethlong
I love how a different beat and instrumental can change the feel of a song from the original.
@abstractbeholdings1030
What's the original?
Sorry for the 5 year later comment
@trnka2
@@abstractbeholdings1030 I believe the original is by Tears for Fears, or at least Google says it. Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsHSHE-iJQ
(This is actually the first time I comment something on yt, haha.) Have a nice day.