Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Shane Richie 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

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 ?
Everybody wants to rule the world

All for freedom and for pleasure




Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

Overall Meaning

The song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears was originally released in 1985 as a single from their "Songs from the Big Chair" album. Shane Richie covered the song in 2003 for his album "Once Around the Sun." The song contemplates the human desire for power and control, exploring the idea that everyone wants to be a leader, to make their mark on the world. The lyrics open with the ambiguous phrase, "Welcome to your life," which implies that life is not always so welcoming and warm. The lines "Even while we sleep, we will find you" reinforces this idea, as if to say that no matter how much we try to hide, the desire for power is always lurking in the background, waiting to consume us.


The song goes on to emphasize the importance of making choices, and the necessity to seek out pleasure and freedom in life. This is juxtaposed with the idea that nothing lasts forever, implying that the lust for power will also eventually fade away. The lyrics reference a room where the light won't find you, which could be interpreted as a safe space from the world's chaos and greed. The song ends on the note that everybody wants to rule the world, as if an admission that the desire for power is a universal human characteristic that will never truly disappear.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome to your life
You are born into a world where you have to live and face challenges.


There's no turning back
Once you are born, you cannot go back to your previous state of non-existence.


Even while we sleep
Even when we are asleep, our actions can have an impact on our lives and the lives of others.


We will find you
No matter where you go, you will be found and held accountable for your actions.


Acting on your best behaviour
You should always strive to behave in the best way possible, even in difficult or challenging situations.


Turn your back on mother nature
Ignoring or neglecting the natural world can have negative consequences for both the environment and ourselves.


Everybody wants to rule the world
Everyone has a desire for power and control in some aspect of their life.


It's my own design
The choices and decisions we make in life are ours alone to bear the consequences of.


It's my own remorse
We must take responsibility for our mistakes and accept the guilt and regret that come with them.


Help me to decide
Sometimes we need guidance and support in making difficult decisions.


Help me make the most
We should strive to make the most of the opportunities presented to us in life.


Of freedom and of pleasure
We should seek to enjoy the freedom and pleasures that life has to offer, while being mindful not to harm others in the process.


Nothing ever lasts forever
Everything in life is temporary and subject to change or deterioration over time.


There's a room where the light won't find you
There are places in life where we can hide from the truth or the consequences of our actions.


Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
Sometimes we need to rely on each other for support during times of crisis or difficulty.


When they do I'll be right behind you
I will support and stand by you during difficult times, no matter what happens.


So glad we've almost made it
We have come a long way and should be proud of what we have achieved.


So sad they had to fade it
It is unfortunate that things have not turned out as well as we hoped or desired.


I can't stand this indecision
Not being able to make a decision can be frustrating and stressful.


Married with a lack of vision
Being committed to a particular path or course of action without a clear plan or purpose can be unproductive and wasteful.


Say that you'll never never never never need it
We often deny or reject things that we secretly desire or need in order to seem strong or independent.


One headline why believe it ?
We should be critical of the information we receive and not believe everything we are told without questioning it.


All for freedom and for pleasure
In life, we pursue freedom and pleasure as sources of happiness and fulfillment.


Nothing ever lasts forever
Everything in life is temporary and subject to change or deterioration over time.


Everybody wants to rule the world
Everyone has a desire for power and control in some aspect of their life.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chris Hughes, Ian Stanley, Roland Orzabal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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