Everybody Wants to Rule the World

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a song by the British New Wave band Tears for Fears. It was originally written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes, being the band’s ninth single release. In April 1885, the song peaked at number 2 in the UK charts, making it their seventh UK Top 25 hit. In the United States, the song is the lead single from their album the Songs from the Big Chair and it made in the number 1 spot at Billboard Hot 100 on June 8, 1985 for two weeks, making their first ever hit on that chart.

The song, according to Orzabal, is a late addition on the album and considered to be a lightweight and cannot fit to the rest of the album. Although, Hughes persuaded Orzabal to record the song, in a planned attempt to be successful in the American charts. According to Curt Smith, bassist of the band, the song is all about wanting power, warfare and the misery it causes.

Although a popular song, it has few remixes. Hughes has done extended, instrumental and “urban mix” versions on the single’s various 12” releases. The electronica act the Chosen Few has a remix of the song that is included in the 2004 reissue of the greatest hits compilation Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82-92). It was partially re-recorded as “Everybody Wants to Run the World” for the 1986 Sport Aid fundraising campaign.

Numerous artists has covered the song, including British guitarist Hank Marvin, American singer Gloria Gaynor, Jamaican reggae artist Ken Boothe, Brazilian multi-intrumentalist Emmerson Nogueira, Filipino light jazz artist Isha, British singer-songwriter Christian Burns, and American rock singer Patti Smith. Additionally, there is a solo acoustic version of the song on the 2000 EP Aeroplane by Tears for Fears bassist Curt Smith. It was also sampled on the track “Rule” from the album Stillmatic by American rapper.


Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
It's my own design
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
Everybody 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