It was the band's ninth single release in the United Kingdom (the third from their second LP: Songs from the Big Chair) and seventh UK Top 40 chart hit, peaking at number two in April 1985.
In the U.S., it was the lead single from the album and gave the band their first Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit on 8 June 1985, remaining there for two weeks. It also reached number-one on both the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Singles Sales charts in the U.S.
The song has since become the pinnacle of Tears for Fears' chart success, its endurance allowing it to accumulate over two million radio broadcasts by 1994, according to BMI.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Tears for Fears 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 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
The song Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears talks about how people want power and control in life, but at the same time, are struggling with their own inner turmoil. The lyrics describe how there is a constant struggle to maintain power and control over one's life, and how this desire often comes at the expense of personal relationships and even nature. The singer acknowledges that this desire for control is part of their own design, but the constant indecision and lack of vision makes it difficult to navigate.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to your life
This is an introduction to the journey of life.
There's no turning back
Once we are born, we cannot go back.
Even while we sleep
Life goes on even when we are not aware.
We will find you
Life has a way of catching up to us.
Acting on your best behavior
Trying to be a good person.
Turn your back on mother nature
Ignoring the consequences of our actions towards the environment.
Everybody wants to rule the world
Everyone desires power and control.
It's my own design
We create our own lives.
It's my own remorse
We are responsible for our own regrets.
Help me to decide
Asking for assistance in making a choice.
Help me make the most
Asking for assistance in obtaining the best outcome possible.
Of freedom and of pleasure
Pursuing happiness and free will.
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everything has a beginning and an end.
There's a room where the light won't find you
Finding a place to hide from the world.
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
Sticking together during difficult times.
When they do I'll be right behind you
Offering support during tough times.
So glad we've almost made it
Being happy about the progress made in life.
So sad they had to fade it
Feeling regret about things that could have been better.
I can't stand this indecision
Being unable to make a decision is frustrating.
Married with a lack of vision
Feeling stuck with no clear direction in life.
Say that you'll never, never, never, never need it
Disbelieving in exaggerated news headlines.
One headline, why believe it?
Questioning the trustworthiness of media.
All for freedom and for pleasure
Pursuing happiness and free will.
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everything has a beginning and an end.
Everybody wants to rule the world
Everyone desires power and control.
Lyrics © CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Christopher Merrick Hughes, Ian Stanley, Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RUS-BALL
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Welcome to your life
There's no turning back
Even while we sleep
We will find you
[Chorus]
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
[Verse 2]
It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help me make the
[Chorus]
Most of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
[Bridge]
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
[Chorus]
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus]
I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the—
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
It took the lyrics 3 hours to make, please like me 😢
@impetusfanzine5859
1980 PEOPLE: THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE GREAT.
2021 PEOPLE: LET'S GO BACK TO THE 80'S.
@DarkMonster771
Ain't that the truth!
@DarkMonster771
In the 80s people predicted that we would have flying cars by the year 2021!
@impetusfanzine5859
@@DarkMonster771 w/c reminds me of that movie back to the future.
@krispyhd9484
People realised the futures shit
@flacckkzoee.5481
FOR REAL
@ZeroNeedsCoffee
This song will never get old were gonna be listening to this in 100 years lol ❤
@FriendlyEmo2fan
Fr
@ManKMusic
how did you get 1M subs ?
@FriendlyEmo2fan
@@ManKMusic he have 1 million and his views not reaching 1k