Bull began performing in and around Sydney in the early 2000s, eventually getting the attention of producer Tony Buchen in 2004. Buchen, having worked with other successful acts such as Blue King Brown, Macromantics and The Whitlams, felt that Bull's style of music required different approach to recording, and the two experimented with older recording techniques such as analogue.
Wanting to develop Bull's talent further, but still nurture his individual style, they then travelled together to New York City, where they produced and mixed songs for Bull's debut album at the Electric Lady Studios. Bull signed to Island Records, a part of Universal Music Australia, in 2007. In 2007, Bull supported Joss Stone on her Australian tour and, in 2008, increased in popularity by being played regularly by the radio station Triple J.
Bull's debut single was released in August 2008. Entitled "Small Town Girl", it was taken from his debut album We're Too Young. In 2008, Bull toured with Garage to V winners, Little Red. His first headlining national tour commenced in late 2008. A music video was also made for "Young Man," the second single from the album. Bull would continue to tour extensively in support of the album throughout the rest of 2008 and 2009, notably joining Tim Finn's national tour as an opening act, performing solo as opposed to with his six-piece band. He also opened for a MySpace secret show in Sydney featuring U.K. neo-soul singer Duffy in that same year.
In May 2009, Bull toured in support of Lisa Mitchell's Australian tour, prior to the July release of her Platinum selling debut album "Wonder". During the tour, Bull performed his support set solo. For her own set, Mitchell was to play guitar, accompanied by bass player Jan Bangma and drummer Robert Vasey. Before the second show of the tour, however, Mitchell's hand was cut in an accident. Due to Mitchell's injury, she was unable to play guitar and so Bull stepped in, learning the set on piano in lieu of the guitar parts. Bull played in the band for the remainder of that tour, fomenting Bull and Mitchell's friendship, which would lead to their collaboration on Bull's song "Dog" the following year.
In September of 2009, Bull released "We're Too Young", the recording of which had been completed the previous year with producer Tony Buchen. The album enjoyed a good critical reception, including a 4/5 star review in Rolling Stone Magazine.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Andy Bull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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
Andy Bull's rendition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a thought-provoking track that delves into humanity's intrinsic thirst for power and control. The song kicks off by welcoming listeners to life, which is synonymous with progress forward, and there's no turning back once you've begun. Even when we sleep, the world won't stop moving around us, and we are bound to find ourselves in the midst of societal power struggles.
The chorus reiterates the song's central theme in a chant-like fashion, weaved with irony and sarcasm. "Acting on your best behaviour/Turn your back on mother nature/Everybody wants to rule the world." The verse hints that while humanity is innately designed to strive for accomplishment, there's a darker side to this behavior that is riddled with remorse.
Freedom and pleasure are offered to humanity as devices to help us make the most of our talents and experiences. Nothing lasts forever, not even positions of power and control. In the bridge, the listener is reminded that even in moments of utmost darkness, there will always be a savior. "Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down/When they do, I'll be right behind you."
The last chorus conveys a sense of frustration, leaving the listener with the impression that we're mired in a world riddled with indecision and lacking vision, unable to break free from the desire for power and control. Everyone wants to rule the world, but there's no telling how far people are willing to go to achieve this goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to your life
Life is a journey that you traverse on your own and should just accept it as it is.
There's no turning back
Once you start the journey of life, there's no looking back or undoing what you've already experienced.
Even while we sleep We will find you
Even in the comfort of your own bed, the consequences of your actions and decisions will find you in some way, shape, or form.
Acting on your best behaviour Turn your back on mother nature
While you may try to be your best self, society may require you to ignore nature and what's truly best for the environment.
Everybody wants to rule the world
Everybody wants to have control, power, and influence over others in their own way.
It's my own design
Everything you do is a reflection of your own choices and decisions.
It's my own remorse
You have to deal with the guilt and regret that comes with those choices and decisions.
Help me to decide Help make the most Of freedom and of pleasure
Sometimes you need help making choices to take full advantage of the freedom and pleasures in life.
Nothing ever lasts forever
All good things must come to an end, so enjoy them while they last.
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
There's a safe haven where you can find peace and solace during tough times and someone will always be there to support you through them.
So glad we've almost made it So sad they had to fade it
Celebrate the progress that you've made, but also grieve the things that you've lost along the way.
I can't stand this indecision Married with a lack of vision
Uncertainty and a lack of direction can be frustrating and holding you back from moving forward.
Say that you'll never never never need it One headline why believe it
Don't take everything you hear or read at face value and recognize that some things are just manufactured for the masses.
All for freedom and for pleasure
At the end of the day, people want to live their lives free from constraints and find moments of happiness and pleasure.
Nothing ever lasts forever
This line is repeated to drive home the idea that everything has its expiration date and that we should treasure the moments that we have while they last.
Writer(s): Roland Orzabal, Chris Hughes, Ian Stanley
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@katienotley9376
My favourite Like a Version of all time. Kills me that it’s not on Spotify. The OG video from 12 years ago has probably had 100 views by me alone 😂
@terinathompson_
One of my favourite Like a Versions ever. Have been trying to find it again for years! Reminds me of my late brother.
@alexm8553
Epic, will be my number one.
@harleychick6162
How did this not make the hottest 100??????? HOW? 😢😢
@RobertJW
Underrated!
@AlexAndBrittney
Amazing cover by far one of the best on here!
@eatmoremusic3650
Damn his voice is stellar
@angepru
Dreamy 😍
@madii.legend
best of the best
@kenmeadows444
Brilliant cover, don't know about Alex's mo