"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a song by English pop rock band Tears for Fears from their second studio album Songs from the Big Chair (1985). It was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris Hughes and produced by Hughes. It was released on 22 March 1985 by Phonogram, Mercury, and Vertigo Records as the third single from the album. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave and synth-pop song with lyrics that detail the desire humans have for control and power and centre on themes of corruption.
An international success, the song peaked at number two in Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom and at number one in Canada, New Zealand, and on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox. It was certified gold by both Music Canada (MC) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Retrospectively, music critics have praised "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", with some ranking the song among the decade's best. Along with "Shout" (1984), it is one of the band's signature songs.
A music video received promotion from MTV. The year of the song's release, it was featured in the ending to the science fiction comedy film Real Genius. In 1986, the song won Best Single at the Brit Awards, and was re-recorded by the band as a charity single for the Sport Aid campaign the same year.
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" has been covered extensively since its release, most notably by New Zealand singer Lorde for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
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, 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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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, 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