Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tears for Fears

About Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a song by English pop/rock band Tears for Fears. It was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes and produced by Hughes. The song was first released on 18 March 1985 by Phonogram, Mercury and Vertigo Records as the third single from the band's second album, Songs from the Big Chair (1985). "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave song. Its lyrics detail the desire humans have for control and power and centre on themes of corruption. Music critics praised "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" in their retrospective reviews, with some including the song in their respective decade lists. It is regarded as the group's signature song, along with "Shout" (1984). It garnered success on charts internationally, peaking at number two in Ireland and the United Kingdom and at number one in Canada, New Zealand and on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by both Music Canada (MC) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Nigel Dick directed the music video, which received promotion from MTV. It shows bassist Curt Smith (who sings lead vocal), driving an antique Austin-Healey 3000 sports car around Southern California intercut with shots of the band performing the song in a studio. In 1986, the song won "Best Single" at the Brit Awards. The group re-recorded the song as a charity single for the Sport Aid campaign. New Zealand singer Lorde recorded a cover of the song which was included in the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). 


Year:
1990
4:12
5,043 
#6

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Welcome to your life there's no turning back
Even while we sleep we will find
You acting on your best behavior
Turn your back on mother nature
Ev'rybody wants to rule the world

It's my own desire, it's my own remorse
Help me to decide, help me make the most
Of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

There's a room where the light won't find you
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
When they do, I'll be right behind you
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Ev'rybody wants to rule the world

I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world
Say that you'll never, never, never, need it
One headline, why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world

All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

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Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears are an English New Wave band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock and pop, which led to international chart success. more »

7 fans

Written by: Chris Hughes, Ian Stanley, Roland Orzabal

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Background
"Everybody Wants To Rule the World" is a song by the English rock band Tears for Fears. It was released as the third single from their second studio album, "Songs from the Big Chair."
Songwriters
The song was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes of Tears for Fears.
Record Label
It was released through Phonogram Records and Mercury Records in 1985.
Musical genre
The song is considered new wave and synth-pop.
Chart Performance
It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for two weeks in June 1985.
Awards
The song won "Best Single" at the Brit Awards in 1986.
Global Influence
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" also topped charts in Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand, and hit the top 10 in several other countries.
Song Interpretation
The song is often interpreted as a critique of the Cold War and the desire for power, control, and world domination.
Platinum Status
It achieved Platinum status in Canada, selling over 50,000 copies.
In Popular Culture
The song has been featured in numerous movies, TV shows, commercials and video games, including the 2001 film Donnie Darko, and the video game Saints Row 2.
Cover Versions
Many artists have recorded their versions of the song, including Lorde for the soundtrack of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and Weezer for their album "Teal Album."
Live Performances
The band has performed the song live many times, including at Live 8 and on their reunion tour.
Song Structure
The song is notable for its unique song structure. It does not follow the typical verse-chorus-verse pattern but rather presents a continuous flow of disguised verses, pre-choruses, and choruses.
Instrumentation
Among the instruments used in the track are piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer, and the glockenspiel.
Music Video
The song's memorable music video, directed by Nigel Dick, filmed in multiple locations including a desert and an airfield, features the band performing the song amidst various symbolic scenarios.

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    Everybody Wants to Rule the World

    215.1M
    1.6M     0

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1985

    Billboard #1


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