Covered extensively, most recently by Harry Styles, the original “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears came out in 1985 but remains timeless in its meaning. “The lyrics to the song became an anthem against greed and power hunger in the world. In the opening verse, frontman Curt Smith sings about the inescapable eye of ‘Big Brother.’ Elsewhere are allusions to nuclear war (There’s a room where the light won’t find you) and rising tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union at the time of the song’s release (Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down) (American Songwriter).
The 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 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?…
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever…
Five Versions
I. From 2022, Tears for Fears doing it live:
II. SecondHandSongs, which lists over 200 covers, has several Editors’ Picks among its list. If you prefer a more haunting and dreamy take, New Zealand’s Lorde offers a top contender. It was featured in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).
III. A favorite funk band, Scary Pockets, on a lengthy version featuring Cory Henry:
IV. Another group I love is Sammy Rae & the Friends, seen here live:
V. The brand new Harry Styles version, reportedly highly approved by Tears for Fears:
