If I Ruled The World
Jr. Sammy Davis Lyrics

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If I ruled the world
Every day would be the first day of Spring
Every heart would have a new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring

If I ruled the world
Every man would be as free as a bird
Every voice would be a voice to be heard

Take my word, we would treasure each day that occurred

My world would be a beautiful place
Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
Like the man in the moon when the moon beams

If I ruled the world
Every man would say the world was his friend
There'd be happiness that no man could end
No my friend, not if I ruled the world

Every head would be held up high

There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world

Overall Meaning

In Jr. Sammy Davis's song "If I Ruled the World," the artist paints a picture of a utopian world that he wishes to exist in. He starts off by saying that if he ruled the world, every day would be the first day of Spring, signifying new beginnings and fresh starts. He wishes for everyone to have a new song to sing, symbolizing that everyone would find joy and happiness in their lives.

Moreover, Jr. Sammy Davis sings about his desire for every man to be as free as a bird, where every voice would be heard and treasured. These lines signify that people would have the freedom to be who they truly are without any fear of judgment and would have the power to express their true feelings. He then speaks of a world that would be a beautiful place, where people would weave wonderful dreams and always smile, just like the man in the moon when the moon beams.

Lastly, Davis talks about a world where everyone would feel happy and be friends with each other, and there would be no sadness, sorrow, or pain that would stop humans from interacting and enjoying life's precious moments. He concludes the song by saying that if he ruled the world, every head would be held high, and there would be sunshine in everyone's sky.

Overall, the song portrays the artist's deep-seated desire to live in a world where joy, happiness, and freedom prevail over fear, judgment, and pain.

* Interesting facts:
1. Jr. Sammy Davis's version of the song is a cover of the original version by Tony Bennett in 1962.
2. The song gained immense popularity after it was featured in the 1991 hit movie "The Fisher King."
3. "If I Ruled the World" was written by Leslie Bricusse and Cyril Ornadel in 1963.
4. In 1965, the song was covered by Peggy Lee giving it a jazz twist.
5. The song has been covered multiple times by various artists, including Celine Dion, Harry Secombe, and Shirley Bassey, among others.
6. It has been featured in numerous TV shows and movies, including "The Crown," "Mad Men," and "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane."
7. The song has been sampled by various rappers, including Nas in his 1996 song "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" featuring Lauryn Hill.
8. Leslie Bricusse won the Grammy Award in 1963 for the Best Original Cast Show Album for his "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off," which included "If I Ruled the World."
9. The song's lyrics have been interpreted as a political statement, reflecting people's longing for a utopian world where everyone is equal and happy.
10. In 2020, the song was used in a Ruffles commercial featuring James Harden.

Chords:
C Am
If I ruled the world
F G7
Every day would be the first day of spring
C Am
Every heart would have a new song to sing
F G7 C
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring

Line by Line Meaning

If I ruled the world
In my ideal world

Every day would be the first day of Spring
Every day would be fresh and new, like the first day of Spring

Every heart would have a new song to sing
Everyone would feel inspired and hopeful, with something new and positive to share

And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring
We would celebrate the optimism and potential of each new day

Every man would be as free as a bird
Everyone would be able to live their lives without fear or limitation, like a bird soaring in the sky

Every voice would be a voice to be heard
People would feel empowered to express themselves and be listened to and respected

Take my word, we would treasure each day that occurred
I guarantee that we would appreciate every moment and make the most of our time together

My world would be a beautiful place
The world I envision is full of beauty, wonder, and harmony

Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
We would be able to use our imaginations to create endless possibilities and aspirations

My world would wear a smile on its face
The world I envision is joyful, optimistic, and full of positive energy

Like the man in the moon when the moon beams
Like the happy expression on the moon's face when it shines brightly

Every man would say the world was his friend
People would feel connected and supportive of each other, with no enemies or rivals

There'd be happiness that no man could end
There would be a sense of contentment and fulfillment that could not be disrupted by anything or anyone

No my friend, not if I ruled the world
I am determined to create a world where these ideals can be realized, no matter what anyone else might say or do

Every head would be held up high
Everyone would feel proud of themselves and their contributions, without feeling ashamed or unworthy

There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
Everyone would have a sense of warmth, light, and positivity in their lives

If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
Someday, I hope to see these aspirations come to fruition in my perfect world

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CYRIL ORNADEL, LESLIE BRICUSSE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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