Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears for Fears Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of the Power-Hungry and the Lost
Lyrics
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
In 1985, the world of music was bestowed with a haunting melody and profound lyrics in the form of ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ by Tears for Fears. This song, laden with shimmering synths and a beat that made it a staple of the decade, also came packed with a deeper meaning that resonates through generations.
Beyond its catchy chorus and rhythmic lure, ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ is a complex tapestry of existential angst and a critique of the human condition. Let’s dive into the subconscious waters of the song, exploring the intricate threads that compose its timeless appeal.
The Seductive Lure of Power
The title itself is an invitation into the psyche of omnipotence. When Tears for Fears croons ‘Everybody wants to rule the world,’ they’re not just making a statement about political leaders or corporate giants; they’re peeling back the human inclination towards control and dominance—a theme that has been a driving force through history.
The song connects this quest for power with a sense of inevitable disillusionment. ‘Help me make the most / Of freedom and of pleasure,’ they plead, acknowledging the transient nature of joy and the futility of grasping at the leadership that only breeds isolation and regret.
An Ode to Mother Nature’s Rebel Children
Tears for Fears doesn’t just stop at critiquing human desire for power; they delve into the rebellion against the very essence of life. ‘Turn your back on mother nature,’ the song commands, painting a picture of a society so engrossed in its ambition that it forgets its roots and the very planet that sustains it.
This line serves as a chilling prophecy of modern climate debates and the struggle between industrial progress and environmental conservation. It’s a reminder that our longing to ‘rule the world’ often comes at the cost of the world itself.
The Claustrophobic Room of Fate
Arguably one of the most evocative verses of the song, ‘There’s a room where the light won’t find you’ conjures a space where one’s actions and decisions are hidden from the scrutiny of the sun—the emblem of truth and exposure. This metaphorical room speaks to the private chambers of our minds where we confront the consequences of our ambition.
When the walls ‘come tumbling down,’ it’s the inevitable collapse of the illusions and structures we’ve created—leaving us no choice but to face the reality of what we’ve built or destroyed.
The Dichotomy of Freedom and Pleasure
Freedom and pleasure are recurring motifs that echo throughout the chorus. These ideals are celebrated, even as the song acknowledges their impermanence. ‘Nothing ever lasts forever,’ sighs the voice of reason, reminding us that the pursuit of control is ultimately a chase after the wind.
This realization doesn’t come free of struggle. Tears for Fears articulates the pain of choice and the burden of autonomy in ‘Help me to decide,’ showcasing the torment in our constant quest for meaning in a cycle of short-lived liberties and joys.
Unraveling the Anthem’s Hidden Meaning
Beyond the immediate reflections on politics and power, ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ contains a strand of insight on the human condition—our internal battles with indecision and vision. ‘I can’t stand this indecision / Married with a lack of vision,’ they express, giving voice to the internal chaos brought about by our yearnings and inadequacies.
Subtly, the song is a critique not only of societal aspirations but also of our personal ones. It challenges the listener to contemplate the satisfaction derived from worldly achievements against the backdrop of an insatiable and unconquerable spirit. The song continues to resonate because it uncovers the perennial human struggle between ambition and contentment, power and purpose.
