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 wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
The opening lines of the song Mad World by Bath duo Tears For Fears, from their debut album The Hurting (1983). As well as being a big hit for the group, a more sombre version of the song became an unlikely non-festive Christmas number one and won an Ivor Novellor award for songwriting, the second for the British band. I also quoted another of their delightful songs here and have tickets to see them live next year.
Alex Raphael 
i have always loved this song and its lyrics
It’s brilliant. The cover was very moving but I do prefer the original. It just has that hint of anger within it. The electric beat really adds a bit of menace.
One of my favourite songs!
It really is wonderful. What other songs of theirs do you like?
Oh, all sorts… I have favourites from almost every era! 🙂
Oops, I misread your question and thought you were asking about songs in general. Apologies! I enjoy some of their earlier stuff, which I was listening to in my late teens and very early 20s – especially Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
Yes, this is a favorite of mine. I sometimes find myself humming the song when I don’t feel well or I am blue. It just comes to me…
It does make me smile too. Head Over Heals does that for me too. I really recommend a song of theirs called Pharoahs if you get the chance.
I will check it out – thank you!
I orefer the Gary Jules version. Something haunting about it. You just feel the sadness and hopelessness. The subdued quality and softness of his voice adds to the effect.
I do like Tears for Fears though, very much. Great band
It was a sombre song. Really highlighted the sadness within the lyrics. Was used very well in Donnie Darko too. Shame the director hasn’t done too much since.
My favorite song
It’s one of their best for sure. I look forward to them playing it next year.
Yes it’s great
What a powerful and thought provoking opening to a song. ‘All around me are familiar faces and worn out places “.. say so much in a line. It is a song I listened to alot in my teenage years and often makes you reflect on such situations. I’m thankful you brought this band to my attention as I have been listening to a few songs I have grown fond of such as Head over Heels and Shout which are very lovely. It is wonderful to hear you will be seeing them live.
Sincerely Sonea
I don’t normally quote so many lines from a song but I just couldn’t leave out the second stanza. It will be such a wave of nostalgia but they are younger than I tonight they would be. They formed the band very early. I’ve always liked bands that have an extra meaning to their name. Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Joy Division etc
One of my favourite bands.
Can’t wait to see them. They really did write great pop songs and just had a gift for melody and a unique take on songwriting.
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