Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Foals Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
Acting on your best behavior
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
Everybody wants to rule the world




Everybody wants to rule the world
The world

Overall Meaning

These lyrics suggest that once we embark on our own lives, we cannot go back, even when we're asleep as our actions will inevitably catch up with us. We all want power, and we all want to control the world. The lyrics also suggest that the choices we make are our own design and we are responsible for our own regrets. The singer here is pleading for help to make the most of their freedom and pleasure, knowing that nothing lasts forever.


The chorus repeats the idea that everyone wants to rule the world, emphasizing the desire for power and control. The reference to a room where the light won't find you suggests the idea of isolation, perhaps from the rest of the world, and the possibility of being lost in oneself. However, the idea of holding hands and having someone to rely on in the face of adversity is also present. The final lines express both relief and sadness at almost reaching the goal of power, but lamenting the fact that it had to come at a cost.


Overall, these lyrics paint a somewhat bleak picture of the human desire for power and control, as well as the potential regret and isolation that can come with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to your life
You are born into this world without a choice, and now you are here.


There's no turning back
Once you are alive, there's no going back to the state of non-existence.


Even while we sleep
Even when we are not conscious, the world keeps moving forward.


We will find you
Society will still have expectations of you, even if you are not aware of them.


Acting on your best behavior
People are expected to act in a polite and proper manner in society.


Turn your back on mother nature
We often prioritize our own goals and desires over our environment.


Everybody wants to rule the world
Everyone wants to be in control and have power.


It's my own design
Our actions and decisions are our own responsibility.


It's my own remorse
We live with the consequences of our own actions and feel regret when things go wrong.


Help me to decide
It's difficult to make the right choices, and we often ask for help from others.


Help me make the most
We want to live life to the fullest and make the best of our time here.


Of freedom and of pleasure
We value freedom and the ability to experience joy.


Nothing ever lasts forever
Everything in life is temporary and will eventually come to an end.


There's a room where the light won't find you
There are places where we can hide and escape from the outside world.


Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
We stick together and support each other during difficult times.


When they do I'll be right behind you
Even when things fall apart, we have each other's backs.


So glad we've almost made it
We are happy to have come this far and accomplished what we have.


So sad they had to fade it
We are disappointed when good things come to an end.


Everybody wants to rule the world
People want to have control and power in their lives.


Everybody wants to rule the world
People want to have control and power in their lives.


Everybody wants to rule the world
People want to have control and power in their lives.


The world
The world we live in is complex and filled with challenges.




Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@3ink3onk57

Everybody Wants To Rule The World sounds AMAZING in foals' style, can't stop coming back to listen, they make it sound like their own!

@DivvyDeluxe

Man I swear all people do is critique Yannis' voice. It's HIS voice and the style of goals. It's an acquired taste when it comes to voices but that's all the same with so many other famous lead vocalists! Plus, this is a math rock band not a boy band, of course they aren't aiming for clear and smooth harmonies. Smh, if you don't like it then let all of us that like it enjoy it ourselves.

@blackalicious_2005

Well said !

@purdueman2012

Awesome these guys pay tribute to Tears For Fears......

@clairecostello8289

i would say 200 of these views are mine

@juliangerr6297

love it!

@TheCaritoChan

El mejor cover!

@jill4840

idk guys this covered kicked ass, Foals are underrated and Yannis sounded perfectly fine - he put his own little twist on it like the rest of the band did! also, 1:38 - 1:52 <3

@PortgasTommas

Great Cover !

@cnovw

Yannis is wearing a pink polo similar to the one Curt Smith is wearing in the music video!! Pretty cool tribute! ❤

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