Cochrane was born in Lynn Lake, Manitoba to Violet and Tuck Cochrane, a bush pilot. The family relocated to Etobicoke, Ontario in the West Deane Park area when Tom was four years old. He purchased his first guitar at age 11 by selling a toy train set. He attended Martingrove Collegiate Institute in the 1960's. In the early 1970s, he was performing in coffee houses across Canada. He eventually made his way to Los Angeles where he found a job writing theme music for My Pleasure is My Business, a Xaviera Hollander movie. Unable to find steady income from music, Cochrane returned to Toronto where he drove a taxi cab and later took a job on a Caribbean cruise liner to help pay the bills. Cochrane went back to Los Angeles in 1976, trying to sell his songs to publishers but without success, and returned to Toronto in 1977. Cochrane walked into the El Mocambo club one night in Toronto and came across a band of locals calling themselves Red Rider. After an audition, they agreed to Cochrane joining the band as lead singer and songwriter, a decision that would change their musical careers.
After the Red Rider era, Cochrane set off on his soloist path again. In 1990, Cochrane took his family to West Africa where he helped to raise awareness and money for the World Vision famine relief organization. That experience shaped his next album Mad Mad World which contained the internationally acclaimed hit single "Life is a Highway".
The three-CD box set Ashes to Diamonds, including material by both Red Rider and Cochrane as a solo artist, was released in 1993.
In 1995, he released Ragged Ass Road and followed that with a Canadian tour in 1996. The tour resulted in Songs of a Circling Spirit, a live CD and multi-media package of previously released material.
In June 1999, Cochrane was involved in a light plane crash in Montreal, after his plane's engine stalled just after take-off. Fortunately, no one was injured.
At the 2003 Juno Awards, Tom Cochrane was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The special award ceremony took place April 5, 2003 at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec. According to the Life Is a Highway Songfacts, his other honors include seven Juno Awards, being an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Air Force, and having been inducted onto the Canadian Walk of Fame. They take their rock stars seriously in Canada.
In December 2003 he was one of the musical guests on a CBC special called, Rick Mercer's Christmas in Kabul.
He currently lives with his family in Oakville, Ontario.
On July 2, 2005, Cochrane took part in the Live 8 concert series.
Cochrane's new album "No Stranger" recorded in rural Ontario was released in October 2006.
"Life Is A Highway" was re-made in 2006 by the country band Rascal Flatts for the motion picture "Cars" and became a successful country single.
Mad Mad World
Tom Cochrane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Minding my own news
For everything that someone said
Someone else had a different view
I watched the whole thing there
Unfold upon my TV screen
"A new world order is on its way"
You don't mean to tell me
No one here is going to get hurt
When there's folks at home
Who eat dog food that can't afford a shirt
But sure find out real fast just who's a sitting duck
When it's a
Mad, mad world
Shake your hands and say good luck, it's a
Mad, mad world
I can not believe this stuff, it's a
Mad mad world
getting madder every day
Mad, mad world
get involved and they'll blow you away
You sure find out real fast when you're a sitting duck
That it's a mad, mad world
A little man sits up way high
Way up above the crowd
Can you make them dance real fast?
Can you make them cheer real loud?
Money doesn't talk, it swears
It sounds like a big machine
A voice on high says, "you reap what you sow
Just keep your own nose clean"
More smoke fills up the air
More toxins up the creek
And that's when the cash, it changes hands
So we turn the other cheek
Sure find out real fast just when you've had enough
That it's a
Mad, mad world
Shake your hands and say good luck
Mad, mad world
I can not believe this stuff, it's a
Mad, mad world
Getting madder every day
Mad, mad world
Get involved and they blow you away
You sure find out real fast when you're a sitting duck
That it's a mad, mad world
He walks into the office and
He finds a big pink slip
It says, "you are no longer needed
So won't you take a good long trip"
You can take your gold watch
And stick it you know where
'Cause he's fired up and he's jacked up and
He's loaded up for bear
Mad, mad world
Shake your hands and say good luck, it's a
Mad, mad world
I can not believe this stuff, it's a
Mad, mad world
Getting madder every day
Mad, mad world
Get involved and they blow you away
You sure find out real fast when you're a sitting duck
That it's a mad, mad world
Oh, that's right, it's a
Mad, mad world
Get involved and they blow you away, it's a
Mad, mad world
Getting madder every day, it's a
Mad, mad world
Mad, mad world
Mad, mad world
Mad, mad world
The lyrics of "Mad Mad World" by Tom Cochrane focus on the chaos and confusion of modern society, particularly the constant barrage of conflicting information and viewpoints presented by the media. The song suggests that there is an inherent madness in the world, with people struggling to make sense of the changing political and economic landscape. The singer reflects on the struggles of everyday people, pointing out that while some enjoy wealth and status, others are struggling to survive. The song warns that those who remain passive or indifferent to these issues may find themselves becoming "sitting ducks" when the madness of the world inevitably comes to a head.
Throughout the song, Cochrane presents a cynical and critical view of the current state of affairs, suggesting that the greed and corruption of those in power are driving the world towards chaos and destruction. The line "Money doesn't talk, it swears" highlights the idea that financial gain often comes at the expense of others, and that the unscrupulous actions of the wealthy and powerful are damaging the planet and society as a whole. The song urges listeners to get involved and take action, rather than simply standing by and watching as the world continues to spiral out of control.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing with my paper there
I was reading the newspaper
Minding my own news
Focusing on the news that is important to me
For everything that someone said
People have different opinions
Someone else had a different view
They don't agree with each other
I watched the whole thing there
I saw everything happen
Unfold upon my TV screen
On the television
"A new world order is on its way"
A big change is coming
Well, pass the popcorn, please
Sarcasm, it's not important to me right now
You don't mean to tell me
I can't believe
No one here is going to get hurt
Everyone will be fine
When there's folks at home
There are people at home
Who eat dog food that can't afford a shirt
They can't afford basic necessities
But sure find out real fast just who's a sitting duck
We quickly discover who is vulnerable
When it's a Mad, mad world
The world is out of control and unpredictable
Shake your hands and say good luck, it's a
We need to hope for the best
I can not believe this stuff, it's a
I'm surprised by what I'm seeing
Getting madder every day
Things are getting worse
Get involved and they'll blow you away
People who speak up get hurt
A little man sits up way high
A powerful person is in control
Way up above the crowd
They are untouchable and separated from others
Can you make them dance real fast?
Can you control people?
Can you make them cheer real loud?
Can you manipulate people?
Money doesn't talk, it swears
Money can have a dark side
It sounds like a big machine
Money is powerful
A voice on high says, "you reap what you sow
What goes around comes around
Just keep your own nose clean"
Stay out of trouble
More smoke fills up the air
Pollution is getting worse
More toxins up the creek
Nature is being destroyed
And that's when the cash, it changes hands
Money is being exchanged under the table
So we turn the other cheek
We ignore what we don't want to see
Sure find out real fast just when you've had enough
We realize we can only take so much
He walks into the office and
Someone goes to work
He finds a big pink slip
He is fired
It says, "you are no longer needed
He is no longer wanted
So won't you take a good long trip"
Find something else to do
You can take your gold watch
A symbol of retirement
And stick it you know where
A way to express anger and frustration
'Cause he's fired up and he's jacked up and
He's angry and ready to do something
He's loaded up for bear
He's prepared for battle
Mad, mad world
The world is out of control
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Thomas William Cochrane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ed rob
Great song and album.
dave farr
Very under rated love this whole album it rocks
LARRY KUEHN
I love this song.
Dani Boy
This guy does not get the recognition he deserves. This album didn't have so much as a "meh" track.
Robert Burns
Solid record in my opinion
Don't even try it
This reminds me of this Danish band called D-A-D (Disneyland After Dark)...