“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears is one of the band’s most recognizable hits. Released in 1985 on their album Songs from the Big Chair, the track combines catchy melodies with lyrics that touch on power, control, and the darker side of human ambition. The song’s meaning centers on how people chase authority and influence, often at great personal and societal cost.
In this article, we break down the lyrics section by section. This is an interpretation based on the words and themes, aiming to uncover what might really be going on beneath the surface.
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Power and Control
Welcome to your life
There’s no turning back
These first lines throw the listener straight into the idea that life is already in motion.
Once you’re here, you’re part of the system. There’s no undoing it.
This suggests an unavoidable path, one where personal choice may feel limited by larger forces shaping society.
Even while we sleep
We will find you
This feels like a warning. Even in private, even at rest, the world’s pressures, expectations, and systems of control are still creeping in.
You can’t hide from the grip of authority or the influence of others. Whether it’s governments, media, or social norms, they’re always present, always watching.
Chorus 1: The Pull of Power
Acting on your best behaviour
Turn your back on Mother Nature
Everybody wants to rule the world
These lines speak to how people mold themselves to fit into society’s expectations, often at the expense of their instincts or values.
“Turning your back on Mother Nature” might suggest rejecting basic human kindness or natural balance to play the game of ambition.
And with “Everybody wants to rule the world,” the chorus delivers the song’s main message: power is the ultimate temptation, and no one is immune to wanting control.
Verse 2: Personal Responsibility and Regret
It’s my own design
It’s my own remorse
Here, the lyrics shift inward.
It’s an acknowledgment that the life one builds—whether full of ambition, control, or regret—is ultimately self-made.
But with that control comes personal guilt. The price of trying to “rule the world” starts to weigh heavy.
Help me to decide
Help me make the…
This plea shows the uncertainty behind the chase for power.
Even when people seem confident, they might be scrambling for guidance or validation.
Power isn’t bringing clarity. Instead, it’s leaving him more unsure.
Chorus 2: Fleeting Freedom and Pleasure
Most of freedom and of pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
These lines highlight how temporary satisfaction is.
Whether it’s freedom, pleasure, or control, none of it sticks around for long.
Yet, people continue to chase it, convinced they can somehow hold onto something that’s always slipping away.
Bridge: Collapse and Loyalty Amid Chaos
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
This part creates a picture of hiding in the dark, while the systems built on power and control start collapsing.
It’s not just a physical image—it feels symbolic of broken institutions, broken relationships, or even mental breakdowns under pressure.
But amidst the chaos, there’s a promise of loyalty, maybe suggesting that human connection is the only real safety net when everything else falls apart.
Chorus 3: The Bittersweet Edge of Success
So glad we’ve almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the…
This section captures that bittersweet feeling when success is just within reach, but something essential gets lost along the way.
Ambition might bring people close to power, but it also strips away joy, relationships, or meaning.
Yet, the hunger to “rule the world” keeps pulling them forward.
Chorus 4: Frustration, Lies, and Control
I can’t stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the…
These lines slam the systems or leaders in place.
Decisions are made without real foresight, leaving chaos and confusion. Still, the same people continue grasping for control, regardless of how flawed the process is.
Say that you’ll never, never, never, never need it
One headline, why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world
This part points to public lies and manipulation.
People may say they don’t crave power or control, but their actions show otherwise.
The mention of headlines calls out how media can twist the truth to serve those in power, spreading distrust.
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world
The song closes by repeating the idea that while people chase after freedom, pleasure, and dominance, all of it is temporary.
But the desire to control never dies. It keeps cycling endlessly.
The Human Obsession with Control and Power
At its heart, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a song about how far people are willing to go for control. It touches on personal ambition, societal pressure, and how systems of power often crumble under their own weight.
The lyrics suggest that while freedom and pleasure are temporary, the hunger for dominance is always present.
The song doesn’t paint power in a glamorous light. Instead, it shows the cost: regret, loss, manipulation, and instability.
It’s a warning wrapped in a catchy tune.
Songs Like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
Looking for more songs that explore control, ambition, and power struggles? Here are a few:
1. “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
“Under Pressure” looks at the stress and chaos people face in modern society. The song captures how pressure from systems and personal choices can break people down.
2. “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads
“Psycho Killer” dives into the breakdown of sanity, hinting at the dangers lurking beneath a controlled exterior. It mirrors the darker side of ambition and power struggles.
Related: “Psycho Killer” Song Meaning
3. “Mad World” by Tears for Fears
“Mad World” reflects on confusion and disillusionment in a world that feels overwhelming. It shares the same tension and unease found in “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
Conclusion: Control Comes at a Cost
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” highlights a powerful message: control is something many crave, but it rarely leads to lasting happiness. The song peels back the layers of ambition to reveal regret, manipulation, and instability beneath.
It’s a reminder that chasing power often means sacrificing something meaningful along the way.
You can listen to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our Song Meanings articles!