Mad World
Movie Sounds Unlimited Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling 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 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 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?
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 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, mad world
Mad world mad world
The song "Mad World" is a melancholic tune that reflects on the state of the world and the emotional struggles of the people living in it. The lyrics express a sense of alienation and disconnection from society, in addition to lingering feelings of sadness and despair. The first two lines describe the people around the singer as worn out and tired, and the daily rituals they engage in as pointless and aimless. The second verse delves deeper into the personal experiences of the singer as a child, describing the anxiety and isolation they felt at school.
The chorus reveals the singer's complex emotional response to the current state of the world, as they find the idea of dying in their dreams both absurdly humorous and deeply tragic. This juxtaposition suggests a sense of nihilism and dark humor that has become common in popular culture. The final lines of the chorus express the frustration of feeling trapped in a "mad world", where people are endlessly running in circles and there seems to be no way out.
Overall, "Mad World" can be interpreted as a critique of modern society and the way it affects people's mental health. It paints a bleak picture of a world where people are disconnected and isolated, and where the pursuit of success and happiness can often lead to disappointment and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
Everywhere I look, I see people I recognize
Worn out places, worn out faces
Their surroundings and physical appearance show signs of exhaustion
Bright and early for the daily races
People are eager and energetic to start their daily routine
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Despite their enthusiasm, they feel like they are not making progress
Their tears are filling up their glasses
People are crying to such an extent that their glasses are filling up with their tears
No expression, no expression
They are crying without any outward display of emotion
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
I want to escape from my sadness and feel numb
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I feel like there is no hope for the future
And I find it kind of funny
I have a mixed reaction to the situation
I find it kind of sad
While it may seem amusing, deep down I am saddened by it
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
In my dreams where I am dying, I feel like it's actually a good thing
I find it hard to tell you,
It's difficult for me to explain
When people run in circles it's a very, very
When people keep doing the same thing repeatedly without progress, it's extremely
Mad world, mad world
A world that is chaotic and full of despair
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids hope to one day feel happy and content
Happy birthday, happy birthday
A generic celebration that highlights how people try to find happiness in little things
And I feel the way that every child should
I connect with how every child should feel, full of joy and innocent wonder
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Be still and attentive to what is happening in the world
Went to school and I was very nervous
I felt extremely anxious on my first day of school
No one knew me, no one knew me
I was just another face in the crowd, with no one recognizing or knowing me
Hello teacher tell me, what's my lesson?
I am seeking guidance and direction from my teacher
Look right through me, look right through me
My teacher does not see me or understand what I am going through
Mad world, mad world, mad world
The world is dark, chaotic, and out of control, with no clear path forward
Writer(s): Roland Orzabal
Contributed by Elliot L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.