IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD
From the film "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963)
(Ernest Gold / Mack David)

Mixed Chorus (Film Soundtrack) - 1963
The Shirelles - 1963

Also recorded by: Lena Horne



It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world
In France the girls wear scanties
While on lamb chops they put panties
I'm telling you it's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

A Japanese named Luey
Says the Chinese hate chop suey
Without a doubt
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

The only thing you are sure of
Is that nothing is sure
Have a ball, live it up, only fools give it up
Toujours the amour, but toujours

So be a happy gaffer,
Be a screamer, be a laugher
Let boys be gay and say, "What the hey"
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

My dear old Uncle Herman
Says that French Toast should be German
Jawohl, that's right
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

I know it may sound jerky
But in Turkey who eats turkey
Yes, yes, confess
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

Out traffic is so congested
Mass confusion on wheels
But Detroit is adroit, what they'll do in Detroit
Is make bigger automobiles

So be a happy fellow
Be a clown, boy, Punchinello
Get off the shelf and enjoy yourself
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad
It's a mad, it's a mad, it's a mad, it's a mad world!


**********


As recorded by The Shirelles:


It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

When teenage kids look messed up
They will tell you they're all dressed up
That's what they claim
In this mad, mad, mad, mad world

A girl who makes you groovy
You call hot stuff, they say cool girl
It means the same
In this mad, mad, mad, mad world

A boy will buy brand new blue jeans
And if they fit him just right
He'll throw them in the sink
Let them soak till they shrink
They're not right until they're too tight......Right!

Don't try to mastermind it
Or discover what's behind it
Just scratch your neck and say what the heck
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

Our traffic is so congested
Mass confusion on wheels
But Detroit is adroit
What they'll do in Detroit
Is make bigger automobiles......Right!

Don't try to understand it
How it happened or who planned it
Just dance and sing, have yourself a fling
in the mad, mad, mad, mad world

The only thing you are sure of
Is that nothing is sure
Have a ball, use it up
Only fools give it up
Toujours the amour, but toujors......Right!

Don't try to mastermind this
Or discover what's behind this
Just scratch your neck and say what the heck
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle &
Jean-Marie del Fabbro - Oct 2010)