Awesome Song Lyrics: Tears for Fears Edition

Now that I'm a mother, it hurts
to look at this album cover.

I heard a song on the radio today that brought me waaay back. It's one of the most haunting songs I know: "Mad World" by Tears for Fears (off their debut album, The Hurting, from 1983). I only remember this song slightly from when it first came out--the single from The Hurting that got the most airplay on American radio was "Change"--but "Mad World" has had a long life and is still relevant.

The version I heard today was by some dude Gary Jules, recorded for the soundtrack to 2001's Donnie Darko. The original Tears for Fears version was early-80's synth-pop, with an uptempo beat. The Donnie Darko version is much slower and sadder. This haunting version of the song is the one Adam Lambert absolutely slayed on Idol a couple years back.

The lyrics (written by Roland Orzabal):

All around me are familiar faces
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

*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
coz 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
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*

Click here to watch the original Tears for Fears video.

And to see Adam Lambert's great performance of the song (which earned a rare standing ovation from Simon Cowell), click here.