About the song
**Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”: A Defining Anthem of the 1980s**
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” a standout track by the English pop rock band Tears for Fears, remains one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s. Released on March 22, 1985, as the third single from their second studio album, *Songs from the Big Chair*, this new wave and synth-pop anthem was crafted by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes, with Hughes handling production duties. The song’s profound lyrics explore the human desire for control and power, reflecting themes of corruption and societal manipulation.
The song’s infectious melody and poignant message quickly resonated with audiences worldwide. It achieved significant chart success, reaching number two in Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom, while topping the charts in Canada, New Zealand, and the United States on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox charts. Its commercial impact was underscored by certifications of gold from Music Canada (MC) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Over the years, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” has been lauded as one of the decade’s best tracks, solidifying its place as a signature song for the band alongside their hit “Shout” (1984).
The song’s music video, which received extensive promotion on MTV, contributed to its widespread appeal. In addition to its radio success, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was featured in the closing scenes of the 1985 science fiction comedy film *Real Genius*. Its enduring popularity was further celebrated when it won Best Single at the Brit Awards in 1986. That same year, the band re-recorded the track as a charity single for the Sport Aid campaign, demonstrating its lasting influence and versatility.
The creation of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was a last-minute addition during the recording sessions for *Songs from the Big Chair*. Initially, Orzabal’s reaction to the song was indifferent, but its inclusion was a calculated move to achieve American chart success. Despite its initial lack of enthusiasm from the band, the song’s shuffle beat and synthesizer-driven sound became a hallmark of its era. The track’s lyrics, exploring themes of power and control, have been interpreted in various political and social contexts, from Cold War anxieties to contemporary concerns about governance and personal ambition.
Critics have praised “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” for its timeless quality and reflective commentary on the era’s socio-political climate. It has been described as a “meditative commentary” on a corrupt period and a “timeless pop classic” that perfectly captured the mid-’80s zeitgeist. Its influence extends beyond the decade, with its inclusion in various decade-end lists and Rolling Stone’s ranking of the song at number 319 in their updated list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
In summary, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears is more than just a quintessential ’80s hit; it is a powerful reflection on human nature and societal issues, encapsulated in a memorable, genre-defining sound. Its continued relevance and acclaim underscore its place as a seminal piece of pop music history.
Video
Lyrics
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 NATUREEVERYBODY 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 FOREVEREVERYBODY 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 YOUSO GLAD WE´VE ALMOST MADE IT
SO SAD THEY HAD TO FADE ITEVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD
I CAN´T STAND THIS INDECISION
MARRIED WITH A LACK OF VISIONEVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE
SAY THAT YOU´LL NEVER, 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 FOREVEREVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD