Unlike the original recording of "Mad World" of which has a somber tone, this version has a more syncopated beat with accents of brass. the "Remix" has all the earmarks of a dance version but doesn't lose the meaning of the lyrics as many songs might through such a process.
The lyrics are cryptic as to hint at that the reality is juxtaposed with singers or subject's dreams. There are worthy cover versions that honors the original with an air of equal solemnity.
Mad World
Tears for Fears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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 'cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
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 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 'cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
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 'cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
Halargian world
Mad world
The lyrics to Mad World by Tears for Fears paint a bleak and melancholic picture of modern society. The first verse describes the mundanity and emptiness of life, with people going through the motions of their daily routines without any sense of purpose or joy. The image of tears filling up glasses suggests that people are struggling with their emotions, but are unable or unwilling to express them. The second verse switches focus to children, and the pressure they face to conform to societal expectations. The final lines of the chorus (“when people run in circles it’s a very, very/Mad world”) suggest that this society is trapped in a cycle of repetition and conformity, and that this is driving people to madness.
The line “The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had” is particularly striking, and suggests that the singer finds comfort in the idea of death as a release from the emptiness and despair of everyday life. The song as a whole can be seen as a commentary on the alienation and disillusionment of modern life, and on the ways in which society can crush individuality and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
All around me are familiar faces
People I have seen before are all around me
Worn out places, worn out faces
The places and faces of these people seem tired and old
Bright and early for their daily races
They start their day with enthusiasm, ready for their daily routines
Going nowhere, going nowhere
These routines do not lead to any significant progress or growth
Their tears are filling up their glasses
They are crying and their tears are filling up the cups they hold
No expression, no expression
They do not show any emotions on their faces
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
I feel overwhelmed with sadness and I want to hide and forget my pain
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
I cannot see any hope for the future
And I find it kind of funny
I find it ironic
I find it kind of sad
But also quite depressing
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
Even in my dreams, where I'm dying, things seem better than they are
I find it hard to tell you 'cause I find it hard to take
It's difficult for me to talk about because it's painful to confront
When people run in circles it's a very, very
When people repeat the same patterns over and over again, it's a very
Mad world
Crazy and nonsensical world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Kids are waiting for a day when they'll finally feel happy
Happy birthday, happy birthday
But even on their birthday, they don't feel truly happy
Made to feel the way that every child should
They are taught to feel the way society expects them to feel
Sit and listen, sit and listen
They are told to be quiet and obedient
Went to school and I was very nervous
I was scared when I started going to school
No one knew me, no one knew me
I felt invisible and alone
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson
I asked my teacher what it was that I was supposed to be learning
Look right through me, look right through me
But they didn't even acknowledge me
Halargian world
This line does not exist in the actual song and seems to be a mistake.
Mad world
A world that is crazy and nonsensical
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sentric Music
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Thorsten-Tom-Martin
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
All around me are familiar faces
Worn-out places, worn-out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
And their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
[Chorus]
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, 'cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
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, 'cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles, it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
Mad world
[Interlude]
[Chorus]
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
'Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad world
Mad world
Enlarging your world
Mad world...
@purplerain6191
Roland - Curt sing this my voice isnt cutting it
Curt - you wrote it, but i'll give it crack - nails it!
Roland - funky dance moves, funky dance moves, bust a move, uh feel that groove uh...
--Mad world--Total sleeper hit
Moral -
80s - dance & create to cure depression, use your talents to heal the world and make a difference .
We tried to teach the generations after us how to chill and to cope.
Ended up with epic bangers.
@LeeDee5
When you're depressed but you're also an unstoppable dancing machine.
@leasrb4866
Dee Ca. Me
@Yummicookie1979
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@ep7970
Haha thats so funny. Good one.
@angeliahines
😂😂LMAO
@tommaso3184
I'M DEAD 😂
@thenippleextractor
whoever decided to put the words "all the dreams in which i'm dying are the best ive ever had" to upbeat techbo is an unsung genius
@josiahp.6960
That snare, stepping right in there.
@nexus7034
It’s not techno though.
@enricotorielli7771
Lyrics was made by Roland Orzabal