“There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.” — Oscar Levant

Mad Girl

mad·ness
[mad-nis]
–noun
1. the state of being mad; insanity.
2. senseless folly: It is sheer madness to speak as you do.
3. frenzy; rage.
4. intense excitement or enthusiasm.

Welcome to my archive of love songs and song lyrics!

The title of my blog,  “Mad Girl’s Love Songs”, is based loosely on the poem “Mad Girl’s Love Song” by Sylvia Plath.  However, that is definitely not the only inspiration for this website’s title and content.  The motif of madness, and of being a “Mad Girl”, is a very common one in poetry, literature, quotations, music, art, and other creative mediums. Indeed, the older I get, the more I realize that it’s because we live in a mad, mad world…

“The more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know. The less you know, the more you think you know.”

Music is a very powerful thing. It is cathartic. It can inspire joy and creativity, it can be used to both express and heal pain. It can be enjoyed alone, or shared with a friend, or enjoyed in a crowd. Music is life. Music is love. Music is hope. Music is everything. Music can set you free…

Below, I would like to share with you some of the various ideas and other bits and pieces of music and concepts that have taken root in my mind, and have subsequently shaped the title and content of this blog. I hope that you enjoy these sights, sounds, and concepts – these pearls which I have strewn around for you to find…

I would love to hear your favorite love songs (or even just your favorite song, and a note about why you love it) and if I like it, I will feature it on my blog – leave a comment below and let me know what songs you think I should listen to.

~ PLUR ~  (Peace ~ Love ~ Unity ~ Respect)

Mad Girl’s Love Song by Sylvia Plath, poet

“I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

The stars go waltzing out in blue and red,
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

God topples from the sky, hell’s fires fade:
Exit seraphim and Satan’s men:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.

I fancied you’d return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

I should have loved a thunderbird instead;
At least when spring comes they roar back again.
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)”

A group called Fisher set Plath’s “Mad Girl’s Love Song” to music, but were unable to reach her estate for permission, and were unable to release it. Which is a shame, because it’s lovely.

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The song “Mad Girl” by Emilie Autumn, whose voice, lyrics, and music, I am *so* obsessed with… Click Here for “Mad Girl” Song lyrics.

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Mad World, originally sung by Tears for Fears, was also re-made by Gary Jules and was featured in the movie Donnie Darko. Click Here for Mad World song lyrics.

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“’But I don’t want to go among mad people,’ Alice remarked.
‘Oh, you can’t help that,’ said the Cat. ‘We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.’
‘How do you know I’m mad?’ said Alice.
‘You must be,” said the Cat. ‘or you wouldn’t have come here.’”
“And how do you know that you’re mad? “To begin with,” said the Cat, “a dog’s not mad. You grant that?” I suppose so, said Alice. “Well then,” the Cat went on, “you see a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags it’s tale when it’s pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore I’m mad.”
-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I have a special place in my heart for the works of Lewis Carrol and particularly, for Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. This song is called Alice by Pogo. Click here for more Alice by Pogo song lyrics.

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“He stood up straight and looked the world squarely in the fields and hills. To add weight to his words he stuck the rabbit bone in his hair. He spread his arm out wide. “I will go mad!” he annouced.” – Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Omnibus)

 

 

“It is only too true that a lot of artists are mentally ill- it’s a life which, to put it mildly, makes one an outsider. I’m all right when I completely immerse myself in work, but I’ll always remain half crazy.” — Vincent van Gogh

 

“In a mad world, only the mad are sane.”   ~  Akira Kurosawa

 

 

“Doubt … is an illness that comes from knowledge and leads to madness.” –  Gustave Flaubert (Memoirs of a Madman)