I Think I'm Going Mad
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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And I think I'm going mad

Life goes by so fast
Time whirls by so fast
You think I whine so
All the women come and go

Think I'm going mad
Think I'm going crazy

All the highs and lows don't mean a thing to me
Don't give a damn

This season that'll pass
Think will be my last
I know my mind's afloat
Sometimes I feel so young and sometimes I feel so old

Yeah you want to see, you want to see all the things
And I'm thinking, they say that your crazy
They say that your insane
I think.... and I think I'm going crazy
And I think I'm going mad

You ought to see my shaking hands
I think I've been drinking lots of cups of coffee
I think I've lost my head
I think I should be sacrificed
I think I should be put to rest
Save yourself
And I think I'm going mad




Think I'm going now
Think I'm going crazy

Overall Meaning

In the Rolling Stones' song "I Think I'm Going Mad," the singer is in a state of confusion and anxiety as they contemplate their life and mortality. The lyrics suggest that time is moving too quickly, and the singer feels like they can't keep up or make sense of their experiences. The repetition of "think I'm going mad" and "think I'm going crazy" is both a confession and a plea for help or understanding. The singer acknowledges that they are spiraling out of control, but they also seem to be questioning the sanity of the world around them.


Throughout the song, there are hints of self-destructive behavior, such as the reference to shaking hands and drinking lots of coffee. The line "I think I should be sacrificed" suggests that the singer is feeling overwhelmed and might be considering extreme measures to escape their current state of mind. However, the overall tone of the song is not entirely hopeless. The line "sometimes I feel so young and sometimes I feel so old" suggests that the singer is grappling with identity and coming to terms with the passing of time. It's possible that by putting these feelings into words, the singer is attempting to gain some sort of control over their situation.


Overall, "I Think I'm Going Mad" is a melancholy reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life. The song captures the sense of alienation and disorientation that many people feel at some point in their lives, especially when faced with the inevitability of their own mortality. Despite the dark themes, the song is still infused with the signature Rolling Stones sound, featuring a catchy guitar riff and Mick Jagger's distinctive vocals.


Line by Line Meaning

Life goes by so fast
The pace of life is overwhelming and time seems to pass by quickly.


You think I whine so
You may perceive my complaining as a sign of weakness or instability.


All the women come and go
People, experiences, and relationships are ephemeral and constantly changing.


Think I'm going crazy
I am experiencing feelings of insanity or loss of control.


All the highs and lows don't mean a thing to me
Emotional ups and downs have lost their significance and do not impact me anymore.


This season that'll pass
This phase of my life is temporary and will soon be over.


Think will be my last
I feel like something significant is about to happen which will change my life dramatically.


I know my mind's afloat
My thoughts are scattered and I am struggling to maintain a clear and focused mind.


Sometimes I feel so young and sometimes I feel so old
My mood and energy levels are irregular, and I oscillate between feeling youthful and energetic and feeling tired and old.


They say that your crazy
Others may perceive me as crazy or unstable.


You ought to see my shaking hands
My physical symptoms are a manifestation of my mental instability, and my hands are shaking uncontrollably.


I think I've been drinking lots of cups of coffee
I am using caffeine to try and alleviate my symptoms or boost my energy levels, but it is not helping.


I think I've lost my head
I feel like I am losing control of my thoughts and emotions, and my mind is in a state of chaos.


I think I should be sacrificed
I feel like my well-being may need to be sacrificed for the good of others or society at large.


I think I should be put to rest
I feel like the best course of action for me may be to retreat from the world and rest or seek medical attention.


Save yourself
I am encouraging you to prioritize your own well-being and not let my struggles negatively impact you.




Contributed by Cole G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@elultimosonador3958

im not looking forward to a world without the stones in it

@dmzabo3914

The Glimmer Twins never let us down! This song is so mellow good!

@stupidangrycottagedan4168

Next to Winter and Time Waits for No One - this is the best song for healing my soul!

@dmzabo3914

That's a solid thing to say about this song.

@ekkyjagger1454

Same with me

@marisavalenzisi4712

Rolling Stones 💓 The Best Band of all Times 💫 Forever and Ever 💥 Thanks for the wonderful sharing 👌💯👍

@keredsilloc4095

I swear. They should just go ahead and release all of their songs in the vault. Unreleased, rare, b sides...whatever.....all amazing

@joellebenoit9980

I always ask me how long it could be if you try to listen without interruption all Stones songs, include unrealised, extended....

@keredsilloc4095

@@joellebenoit9980 they have well over 500 songs

@magginlahr2069

The grittier the better

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