Song Stories: Tears for Fears: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

One of the greatest songs of the 1980s, and one of my favourite songs ever is next to get the song story treatment.

In 1985, Tears for Fears released a track that would come to define both the band and an era: Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The song, which seems deceptively simple on the surface, has become a timeless anthem, resonating with fans from the height of the Cold War to the uncertainties of the modern age.  What was to come, it was an uncertain time for people. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" captures the growing tensions between global superpowers and the ever-looming threat of nuclear war. The message? Humanity’s pursuit of power and control often leads to destruction and chaos. This desire for power and control is a vital part of the human being. We just need to accept that. 

In particular the repeated refrain, "Everybody wants to rule the world," becomes both a statement of fact and a poignant observation of our collective vulnerability.

Initially, the song wasn't even on the table. In fact, Roland Orzabal has said in interviews that the track was one of the last to be written for the record. Producer Chris Hughes had encouraged the band to create something with more mainstream appeal, a "hit single," if you will. What they delivered was more than just that—it became a global sensation.

The song had and continues to have a universal appeal, despite its dark meaning. A worldwide audience was captivated in 1985 the song topped charts in the US, Canada, and New Zealand, while also reaching the top five in the UK and several other countries. 

Backed up by a music video that features  Curt Smith driving through desert landscapes and images of the world teetering on the brink of collapse, the video perfectly mirrored the song’s themes of freedom and control.

It also helps that the song on one of the very best albums of the decade, "Songs from the Big Chair" the record that propelled the band to superstardom.  An ambitious, sonically rich album that combined pop, rock, and electronic elements. Tears for Fears really smashed 1985.

With the release of a brilliant album, and the singles "Shout" and the song this post is about "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". More than three decades after its release, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" continues to resonate with listeners around the globe. Its catchy melody and poignant lyrics have ensured its place as one of the most iconic tracks of the 1980s—and a song whose themes of power, control, and vulnerability are as relevant today as they were in 1985. 

Thanks for reading x