This cover version of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", originally by En… Read Full Bio ↴This cover version of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", originally by English band Tears for Fears (March 1985), was performed by Lorde for the movie soundtrack "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and released in November 2013. It is the 8th track on the album. It has been used by the BBC for the promotion of its new entertainment TV network "BBC First", for the promotional trailer for the 2014 movie "Dracula Untold" and the trailer for the historical action-adventure video game "Assassin's Creed Unity".

Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Lorde Lyrics

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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

Everybody wants to rule the world
Everybody wants to rule the world

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lorde's "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" are rich with meaning and interpretation. On one hand, the song appears to be a commentary on the human condition, with lines like "Welcome to your life" and "Even while we sleep, we will find you." These lyrics suggest a world in which everyone is constantly striving for power and control, even at the expense of others.

The chorus of the song reinforces this idea, with the phrase "Everybody wants to rule the world" serving as a sort of mantra that underscores the theme of the song. The lyrics also touch on the idea of personal responsibility and ownership, with lines like "It's my own design, it's my own remorse." The singer seems to be struggling with the burden of making decisions and taking control of their life, and is asking for help in navigating these choices.

The final verse of the song, with its references to a room where the light won't find you and holding hands while the walls come tumbling down, adds a layer of ambiguity to the lyrics. It's possible to interpret these lines as expressing a sense of hope and connection in the face of an uncertain and chaotic world, or they could be seen as a sort of nihilistic acceptance of the inevitability of destruction and decay.

Overall, Lorde's "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a thoughtful meditation on power, control, and personal responsibility that invites listeners to ponder their own place in the world and the choices they make.

Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to your life
You are now consciously aware of your existence

There's no turning back
You cannot undo the events and experiences that have led you to this moment

Even while we sleep
Your subconscious mind will continue to shape your thoughts and behaviour

We will find you
Your actions and decisions will have consequences that you cannot escape

Acting on your best behaviour
Trying to make the right choices and be a good person

Turn your back on mother nature
Ignoring the natural world and pursuing human desires

Everybody wants to rule the world
People are driven by a desire for power and control over others and their environment

It's my own design
The situations and circumstances in my life are a result of my own choices and actions

It's my own remorse
I am responsible for the regrets I have and the things I wish I could change

Help me to decide
Asking for guidance and support in making important decisions

Help me make the most
Assistance in maximizing the opportunities in life and achieving goals

Of freedom and of pleasure
Pursuing personal freedom and enjoyment in life

Nothing ever lasts forever
All things, whether good or bad, eventually come to an end

There's a room where the light won't find you
There are places within ourselves where we hide our darkest thoughts and emotions

Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
Supporting each other through difficult times and challenges

When they do I'll be right behind you
Offering comfort and encouragement to a friend or loved one

So glad we've almost made it
Celebrating progress and nearing completion of a journey or goal

So sad they had to fade it
Experiencing disappointment or regret over something that couldn't last

Everybody wants to rule the world
The desire for power and control is a universal human trait

Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Christopher Merrick Hughes, Ian Stanley, Roland Orzabal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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