Mad World
Wise Guys Lyrics

All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces.
The singer is surrounded by people who seem tired and unexcited, possibly because they are in a routine that has become monotonous and unfulfilling.

Bright and early for the daily races, going nowhere, going nowhere.
Despite waking up early and participating in work or other activities, the people around the singer do not seem to be making any progress towards something meaningful. Their efforts seem futile.

And their tears are fillin’ up their glasses, no expression, no expression.
The people around the singer seem to be crying or sad, yet they are not outwardly showing any emotion. They may be accustomed to hiding their feelings.

Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow, no tomorrow, no tomorrow.
The artist feels overwhelmed by the sadness and hopelessness that surrounds them. They want to escape from it all and feel like there is no hope for a better future.

And I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad.
The artist is conflicted about the situation around them, finding aspects of it strangely humorous while also feeling saddened by it.

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had.
The singer's dreams of death are better than their waking reality, alluding to the idea that life is so difficult or uneventful that death is seen as a preferable alternative.

I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take.
The singer struggles to express their feelings about the world around them, and they find it difficult to accept the reality of their situation.

When people run in circles it’s a very, very Mad World, Mad World.
The people around the artist are stuck in repetitive cycles that do not lead to progress, resulting in a world that seems chaotic and unstable.

Children waiting for the day they feel good. Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday.
Children are expected to feel happy and celebratory on their birthdays, but the reality of their lives may not match this expectation.

Made to feel the way that every child should sit and listen sit and listen.
Children are often told to conform and fit into societal norms instead of being allowed to express themselves or explore their own interests.

Went to school and I was very nervous, no one knew me, no one knew me.
The singer was anxious and felt like an outsider when going to school, as they were not yet known by their peers or teachers.

Hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson, look right through me, look right through me.
The artist feels unseen and ignored by their teachers, who do not seem to recognize their individual needs or abilities.

Mad World, Mad World, Mad World, Mad World.
The repetition of 'Mad World' emphasizes the chaotic and unstable nature of the world around the singer, which seems oppressive and overwhelming.