This song reminds me of every day when you run through your motions and everything is the same and everything is dissatisfying and disappointing and all you want to do is disappear right there and then.
This was Tears for Fears' first ever UK hit produced by Chris Hughes,Adam and the Ants’ former drummer.
Gary Jules covered this for the 2001 movie . The director Richard Kelly hoped to end the film with the U2 track "MLK," but he couldn't afford the rights. So composer Michael Andrews and friend Gary Jules made a rough recording of this Tears for Fears song to see if Kelly thought it would be suitable and he was impressed.Donnie Darko
Jules' cover was much slower and more melodic than the upbeat, dance tune by Tears for Fears, which some believe is more in keeping with the lyrics. Others believe the original to be ironic, and that this aspect was not portrayed in the Gary Jules version.
This song is about a depressed young person who feels out of place in this world. He sees life as being empty, and looks for ways to escape the pain. The lyrics, "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had" suggests thoughts of suicide, as he just wants the pain to end.
The children's birthday part is directly above the disappointment in school because you're made to feel special - the celebration of the day of your birth gives the illusion that you're special - then you go to school - only to find out you're just another number. And it goes on and on in circles like this, every lifetime. Lies, and the the disappointment of the truth.
In various places, such as on Youtube comments I have heard people saying that the cover is "more emotional" and "more human". But i think this song does not have to sound like that. It has a manic, eerie, detached feeling to it. it is somebody out in this mad world feeling alienated, scared, isolated, even though they are surrounded by people. It's such a beautifully crafted song. The lyrics are so true to life and the music behind it complements the mood the lyrics are setting.
“Mad World” is among those beautiful, honest song making people realize life really isn't smiles and rainbows, and never ever will be no matter how much we try and believe in ourselves it is.
