Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes, and produced by Hughes. The song was a "last-minute" addition during recording sessions of Songs from the Big Chair (1985). The decision to include the song in the album came after Orzabal played two chords on his acoustic guitar for Hughes.{{cite web|first= Tal |last= Rosenberg |title= Tears for Fears: Songs from the Big Chair Album Review |website= Pitchfork |date= 20 August 2017 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tears-for-fears-songs-from-the-big-chair/}} It was recorded in two weeks and added as the final track on the album. According to Orzabal, the final line in the song's chorus, originally written as "Everybody wants to go to war", contributed to his indifference towards the track.{{cite news|first= Ravi |last= Ghosh |title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World — Tears for Fears' 1985 hit was the subject of a radical re-reading |newspaper= Financial Times |date= 8 April 2019 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://ig.ft.com/life-of-a-song/everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world.html}}

In an interview with Mix magazine, Hughes said that "as a piece of recording history, [the song is] bland as hell".{{cite web|first1= Tess |last1= Vigeland |first2= Jacob |last2= Margolis |title= Tears for Fears reissue "Songs from the Big Chair," 30 years on |website= Scpr.org |date= 26 November 2014 |access-date= 22 March 2015 |url= http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2014/11/26/40524/tears-for-fears-reissue-songs-from-the-big-chair-3/}} Orzabal's unimpressed reaction to the track during their songwriting sessions prompted Hughes to convince him to record it, in a calculated effort to garner American chart success. After completing their sessions at 6 p.m., they would spend an hour reviewing each recording many times; this helped Orzabal to create the song's guitar figure and change its title. Orzabal acknowledged that the shuffle beat used in the song was "alien" to their way of writing music, stating it was "jolly rather than square and rigid in the manner of "Shout", but it continued the process of becoming more extrovert." Curt Smith, the song's lead singer, said the themes were "quite serious – it's about everybody wanting power, about warfare and the misery it causes."{{cite web|title= 1985 – Tears For Fears' 'Songs From The Big Chair' Hits #1 |website= RTTNews |access-date= 22 June 2014 |url= http://www.rttnews.com/media/slideshow/slideshow.aspx?id=746}}

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was first released on 22 March 1985 through Phonogram, Mercury and Vertigo Records as the third single from Songs from the Big Chair.{{cite web|first= Michael |last= Pucci |title= Tears for Fears: Everybody Loves a Happy Ending |website= PopMatters |date= 29 November 2004 |access-date= 10 July 2018 |url= https://www.popmatters.com/tearsforfears-everybody-2496092959.html}} The song was released for sale (as a 7-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch vinyl set) which included its B-side, interviews from the band and different versions of the song. To accommodate the vinyl release, a CD video set was also distributed and included the song's music video along with audios of bonus tracks.

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"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is a new wave{{cite news|first= Whitney |last= Matheson |title= My favorite '80s New Wave song is... |newspaper= USA Today |date= 24 April 2014 |access-date= 27 February 2016 |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2014/04/24/new-wave-giveaway/8091039/}}{{cite news |first= Jake |last= Cline |title= Review: Tears for Fears, Hall and Oates in Miami |newspaper= South Florida |date= 8 June 2017 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= http://www.southflorida.com/music/sf-hall-oates-tears-fears-miami-concert-review-story.html |archive-date= 17 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165152/http://www.southflorida.com/music/sf-hall-oates-tears-fears-miami-concert-review-story.html |url-status= dead }} and synth-pop song.{{cite news|first= Joe |last= Blevins |title= Tears for Fears' Curt Smith lends his voice to this folksy dulcimer cover |work= The A.V. Club |date= 3 October 2016 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://www.avclub.com/tears-for-fears-curt-smith-lends-his-voice-to-this-fol-1798252540}} Sheet music for the song is set in the key of D major{{cite web|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears – Digital Sheet Music |website= Musicnotes.com |date= 2 March 2009 |access-date= 3 June 2021 |url= https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0072600}} (original is slightly detuned) with a Time signature#Compound time signatures and a tempo of 112 beats per minute.{{cite web|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World Sheet Music (Piano) – Tears for Fears |publisher= Nymph Music Inc |via= Oktav.com |access-date= 23 August 2020 |url= https://www.oktav.com/en/d/4852673b}} The band stated that the driving shuffle rhythm was influenced by Simple Minds' 1983 song "Waterfront",{{cite news|first= Ryan |last= Leas |title= The 10 Best Simple Minds Songs |website= Stereogum |date= 2 February 2018 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1981296/the-10-best-simple-minds-songs/franchises/10-best-songs/}} and Linx's 1981 song "Throw Away the Key".{{cite magazine|first= John |last= Earls |title= Q&A: Roland Orzabal |magazine= Classic Pop |date= May 2020 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://www.classicpopmag.com/2020/05/qa-roland-orzabal/}} "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" incorporates synthesizers, guitar, a shuffle groove,{{cite magazine|first= Ron |last= Hart |title= Tears for Fears' Songs from the Big Chair Turns 35: Musicians Reflect on '80s Pop Favorite |magazine= Spin |date= 16 March 2020 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://www.spin.com/2020/03/tears-for-fears-songs-from-the-big-chair-turns-35-musicians-reflect-on-80s-pop-favorite/}} two guitar solos,{{cite news|first= Chris |last= Callaway |title= Tears for Fears Could Be Nostalgic, But the Band's Future Is Bright |newspaper= Westword |date= 10 July 2017 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= http://www.westword.com/music/roland-orzabal-of-tears-for-fears-talks-ahead-of-fiddlers-green-concert-9002721}} and keyboards.{{cite news|first= Jake |last= Cline |title= Review: Tears for Fears, Hall and Oates in Miami |newspaper= Sun-Sentinel |date= 8 June 2017 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sf-hall-oates-tears-fears-miami-concert-review-story.html}}

According to Joe Strummer (of The Clash) in a 1988 interview, he was in a restaurant and saw Orzabal, whereupon he told him that "you owe me a fiver", explaining that the title of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was an exact lift of the first line of the middle eight in "Charlie Don't Surf". According to Strummer, Orzabal simply reached into his pocket and gave him a five pound note, confirming that this had been the case.{{Cite web |last=Songfacts |title=Charlie Don't Surf by The Clash – Songfacts |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-clash/charlie-dont-surf |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=www.songfacts.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=March 1985: Tears for Fears Release "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" |url=https://totally80s.com/article/march-1985-tears-fears-release-everybody-wants-rule-world |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Totally 80's |language=en}} The song's lyrics detail the desire humans have for control and power. In 2017, Tal Rosenberg of Pitchfork stated that its lyrics could be applied in different scenarios such as the environment ("Turn your back on mother nature"), short-lived financial success ("Help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure/Nothing ever lasts forever"), dictatorial rule ("Even while we sleep/We will find you"), and the Cold War ("Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down").

The song's lyrics have elicited different political interpretations. A writer for The Economist called the track "a Cold War anthem" and noted its "timeless message", stating that "the song's lyrics speak to the anxieties of every age".{{cite news|last= K.Y.W. |title= Why "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", a cold-war anthem, endures |newspaper= The Economist |date= 30 May 2019 |access-date= 6 October 2020 |url= https://www.economist.com/prospero/2019/05/30/why-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-a-cold-war-anthem-endures}} Marc Ambinder from The Atlantic used the lyrics "Say that you'll never, never, never need it / One headline, why believe it? / Everybody wants to rule the world" in his article about the United States government's use of "original classified authority" and the abuse of power between the branches of government.{{cite magazine|first= Marc |last= Ambinder |title= Fears for Tears: Everybody Wants to Rule the World |magazine= The Atlantic |date= 8 September 2010 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/09/fears-for-tears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/62683/}} Dominic Pino of National Review described the track as a "conservative pop song", noting the lyrics' tension between "personal ambition" and "channeling that personal ambition to good ends", comparing these themes to James Madison's concerns about private interest in the Federalist Papers.{{cite magazine|first= Dominic |last= Pino |title= The Conservatism of 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' |magazine= National Review |date= 3 July 2021 |access-date= 3 July 2021 |url= https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/07/music-review-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-tears-for-fears/}} Curt Smith challenged this interpretation.{{cite tweet|first= Curt |last= Smith |author-link= Curt Smith |title= Irony & sarcasm are clearly not your forte (it's me singing btw). |user= curtsmith |number= 1411720953139122184 |date= 4 July 2021 |access-date= 4 July 2021}}

Tears for Fears revisited the song and its message in a 2017 interview with Yahoo! Music, stating that the song's themes were still "just as poignant" as they were when they first wrote it. They mentioned that they discussed the Cold War with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and Songs from the Big Chair but that was the "U.S. and Russia then, and now the concern is more with the U.S. and [North] Korea."{{cite news|first= Steve |last= Baltin |title= Tears for Fears' Curt Smith on why Cold War classic 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' resonates in the Trump era |publisher= Yahoo! Music |date= 9 November 2017 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tears-fears-curt-smith-cold-war-classic-everybody-wants-rule-world-resonates-trump-era-214637271.html}}

Consequence of Sound editor Michael Roffman praised the group for being able to produce a "timeless and influential composition" with minimal effort. Roffman also noted that "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was appropriate when it was first released, calling it a "meditative commentary on an era that was so corrupt economically and spiritually."{{cite web|first= Michael |last= Roffman |title= Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair [Reissue] |website= Consequence of Sound |date= 11 November 2014 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/11/album-review-tears-for-fears-songs-from-the-big-chair-reissue/}} AllMusic's Stanton Swihart expressed in his retrospective review that the group "perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the mid-'80s while impossibly managing to also create a dreamy, timeless pop classic."{{cite web|first= Stanton |last= Swihart |title= Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-from-the-big-chair-mw0000038029}} Pitchfork called it a song with "near-universal appeal", as well as a staple for "classic-rock radio, pharmacies, bars, and parties". In their review for the best albums of the 1980s, Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine stated that the song "seems like one of the great indictments of the materialism and false triumphalism of the decade."{{cite web|first= Eric |last= Henderson |title= The 100 Best Albums of the 1980s |website= Slant Magazine |date= 5 March 2012 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/best-albums-of-the-1980s}}

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was voted the 25th best single in The Village Voice{{'}}s Pazz & Jop critics' poll for 1985 with 17 points, sharing the spot with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Don't Come Around Here No More" (1985) and Sade's "Smooth Operator" (1984).{{cite news|first= Robert |last= Christgau |author-link= Robert Christgau |title= The 1985 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll |newspaper= The Village Voice |date= 18 February 1986 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres85.php}} Pitchfork placed the song at number 82 on their list for the best songs of the 80s expressing that "underneath the synth-pop sheen, its vague message" and its lesson in how power-driven society could be, the song was able to reach "Reagan and Margaret-era youth fed up with political greed".{{cite news|first= Hazel |last= Cills |title= The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s |website= Pitchfork |date= 24 August 2015 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9700-the-200-best-songs-of-the-1980s/?page=6}} Kevin Korber from Spectrum Culture ranked the song at 24 on his 80s decade list, calling the song a "testament to how much of a free-for-all the pop landscape was in the 1980s". Korber dismissed the song's vague lyrics but praised its complex melodic structure, saying it was "both the perfect representation of its time and a timeless composition".{{cite web|first= Kevin |last= Korber |title= 100 Best Songs of the '80s (#30–21) |website= Spectrum Culture |date= 4 May 2017 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= http://spectrumculture.com/2017/05/04/100-best-songs-80s-30-21/4/}} Treble included the song at number 49 on their decade list.{{cite web|first= Hubert |last= Vigilla |title= The Top 200 Songs of the '80s |website= Treble |date= 13 February 2011 |access-date= 16 June 2018 |url= http://www.treblezine.com/top-200-best-songs-of-the-80s/16/}} In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 319 in their updated list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.{{cite magazine|title= The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time > Tears for Fears, 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= 15 September 2021 |access-date= 3 November 2021 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-1225019/}}

In 1986, the song won "Best Single" at the Brit Awards. Band member and co-writer Roland Orzabal argued that the song deserved to win the Ivor Novello International Hit of the Year award, claiming that the winner—"19" by Paul Hardcastle—was not an actual song, but only a "dialogue collage".{{cite AV media|first= Sean |last= Egan |others= Tears for Fears |title= Songs from the Big Chair |type= CD insert |year= 1999}} In 2015, 30 years after its release, the song was honoured at the annual BMI Awards in London for achieving 6 million radio airplays.{{cite web|title= Graham Gouldman and Top Songwriters Honored at 2015 BMI London Awards |publisher= Broadcast Music, Inc. |date= 19 October 2015 |access-date= 17 November 2015 |url= http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/graham_gouldman_and_top_songwriters_honored_at_2015_bmi_london_awards}} "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is regarded as the group's signature song, along with "Shout" (1984).{{cite web|title= Tears for Fears Reached #1 With 'Songs from the Big Chair' 26 Years Ago |publisher= RTTNews |access-date= 24 June 2020 |url= https://www.rttnews.com/slideshow/746/today-in-music-history-july-13.aspx}}

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was banned for broadcast by the BBC for the duration of the first Gulf War (2 August 1990{{snd}}28 February 1991) due to the song's political themes.{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Eames |title= 6 really Weird things the BBC banned from our screens, from Star Trek to James May saying 'cock' |website= Digital Spy |date= 5 June 2017 |access-date= 18 June 2018 |url= http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a830005/bbc-banned-list-weird/}} For several years, the song was used as the title theme to the political HBO talk show, Dennis Miller Live.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-07 |title=The Number Ones: Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2101234/the-number-ones-tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/columns/the-number-ones/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Tal |title=Tears for Fears: Songs From the Big Chair |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tears-for-fears-songs-from-the-big-chair/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Dennis Miller |url=https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/DennisMiller |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=TV Tropes}}

In the United Kingdom, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" debuted at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, in the issue dated 24 March 1985.{{cite web|title= Official Singles Chart Top 100: 24 March 1985 – 30 March 1985 |publisher= Official Charts Company |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19850324/7501/}} On the week of 14 April 1985, the song peaked at number two, where it stayed for an additional week, both times being blocked from the top spot by "We Are the World" by USA for Africa. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" received a quadruple platinum certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 18 October 2024 for 2,400,000 sales and re-entered the UK Singles Chart in 2022 and 2023. In addition, as of May 2023, is the 12th most streamed song from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s by British artists in the United Kingdom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-300-most-streamed-songs-by-uk-artists-from-the-70s-80s-and-90s__39228/ |title=The Top 300 Most Streamed Songs by UK Artists from the 70s, 80s and 90s |date=8 May 2023 |publisher=Official Charts Company }} The song peaked at number three in Belgium, and at number two in both the Netherlands and Ireland.

In the United States, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" debuted at number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the issue dated 16 March 1985.{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= Billboard |date= 16 March 1985 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1985-03-16}} On the week of 27 April 1985, the song rose to number 18.{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= Billboard |date= 17 April 1985 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1985-04-27}} On the week of 8 June 1985, the song moved to #1, replacing Wham!'s "Everything She Wants" (1984) on the chart;{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= Billboard |date= 8 June 1985 |access-date= 20 June 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1985-06-08}} it would spend a total of two weeks in this position. The song was a commercial success in other American markets, peaking at number two on the Adult Contemporary and Top Rock Tracks and charting at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play,{{cite web|title= Tears for Fears – Awards |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 20 June 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tears-for-fears-mn0000019892/awards |url-status= live |archive-date= 12 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160512163351/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tears-for-fears-mn0000019892/awards}} Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales, and Cash Box charts. It ranks as the 345th best-charting single of all time in the United States.{{cite magazine|title= Hot 100 Turns 60 |magazine= Billboard |access-date= 5 January 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary}} In Canada, the song reached the number one spot, earning a gold certification from Music Canada (MC) for 40,000 sales shipments on 1 May 1985.

In Australia, the song reached the number two position. On the report dated 19 May 1985, the song debuted at number four on the New Zealand Top 40 Singles chart; it would later peak at number one. It was certified Gold by the Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) for sales of 10,000.{{cite book|first= Dean |last= Scapolo |year= 2007 |title= The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006 |publisher= Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House |location= Wellington |isbn= 978-1-877443-00-8}}

File:UK shipping forecast zones.png reading a shipping forecast on various North Sea locations (pictured).]]

"Pharaohs" is the B-side to the "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" single. It samples a recording of BBC Radio 4 announcer Brian Perkins reading the Shipping Forecast for the North Sea region of the United Kingdom.{{cite book|first= Nic |last= Compton |year= 2016 |title= The Shipping Forecast: A Miscellany |publisher= BBC Worldwide Americas |page= 16 |isbn= 978-1-78594-029-3}} The title of the song has an identical enunciation to the Faroe Islands ("Faroes"), one of the places referenced in the forecast. Orzabal, Ian Stanley, Curt Smith and Hughes share writing credits.{{cite AV media notes|title= Saturnine Martial & Lunatic |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1996 |publisher= Mercury Records / Fontana Records}} "Pharaohs" is included on the Groove Armada compilation album Back to Mine (2000).{{cite web|title= Back to Mine – Groove Armada |website= Amazon |access-date= 18 June 2018 |url= https://www.amazon.com/Back-Mine-Groove-Armada/dp/B00004S63M}} Chris Hughes wrote about the song in the liner notes of Saturnine Martial & Lunatic (1996), saying:

{{Blockquote|No matter how horrifying the conditions may really be, the voice reading the shipping forecast is deliberately calm and relaxed. Recorded at the Wool Hall for the B-side of 'Everybody' in a calm and relaxed way.}}

"Pharaohs" shipping forecast read by Brian Perkins:

{{Blockquote|There are warnings of gales in Viking, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Fisher, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Finisterre, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faroes and Southeast Iceland.

The general synopsis at one eight double-O: low just north of Viking, nine double-seven, moving steadily east-northeast.

Low 300 miles south of Iceland. Atlantic low forming, moving steadily northeast.

A ridge of high pressure has swayed between North and South Utsire. The area forecast for the next twenty-four hours. Viking, Forties, Cromarty, Forth.}}

File:Cabazon Dinosaurs, Mr. Rex, 2014.jpg (pictured) is shown briefly in the video.]]

The video for "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was directed by Nigel Dick. It was filmed in Los Angeles, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, and Cabazon, California.{{cite web|first1= Craig |last1= Marks |first2= Rob |last2= Tannenbaum |title= I Want My MTV |website= Pitchfork |date= 27 October 2011 |access-date= 18 June 2018 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/article/8695-i-want-my-mtv/}}{{cite news|first= Kevin |last= Wuench |title= The '80s are not without love for the Cabazon Dinosaurs |newspaper= Tampa Bay Times |date= 6 January 2015 |access-date= 18 June 2018 |url= https://www.tampabay.com/the-80s-are-not-without-love-for-the-cabazon-dinosaurs/2212591/}} Curt Smith admitted to Pitchfork that the video shoot was a "disaster"; Dick was "in tears" on the second night of shooting. Smith also mentioned that there was an accident while filming the "dirt bikes and four-wheel {{sic}} off-road vehicles" scene, with one child flying out of a vehicle and smashing his head, leaving him unconscious.

The video begins with Smith driving a vintage Austin-Healey 3000 sports car while a toddler points toy guns in Smith's direction. The car is then seen driving through a desert, on Interstate 10, this scene is intercut with the band performing the song in a studio. Smith parks the car at the Wheel Inn diner and makes a call from a telephone booth. The camera pans to show a statue of a prospector and his donkey in the foreground. Smith leaves the diner in the car while singing the song's lyrics. The following scene shows two men in suits performing synchronised dance movements in front of two gas pumps.{{cite magazine|title= Picks and Pans Review: Everybody Wants to Rule the World |magazine= People |volume= 23 |issue= 22 |date= 3 June 1985 |access-date= 18 June 2018 |url= https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-vol-23-no-22/}} Shots of young people riding three-wheeled ATVs and dirt bikes through desert sand dunes are also shown. Smith is then shown singing in the desert wearing black sunglasses as many of the dirt bike and ATV riders approach from behind him and pass to either side.{{YouTube|aGCdLKXNF3w|Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World}}

The music video promoted the group in America, due to "heavy rotation" on the music video channel MTV.{{cite news|first= Daryl |last= Deino |title= Best Music Videos of 1985: David Lee Roth, A-Ha, and Phil Collins |website= HuffPost |date= 14 March 2017 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-ha-david-lee-roth-and-tears-for-fears-had-best_us_58c78820e4b0d06aa658045f}} HuffPost editor Daryl Deino ranked the video at number three on their year-end list for best music videos of 1985 stating that the video "represents pure Americana as it was in 1985". Deino also mentioned that the video "proves that at times, artists were able to do so much with so little."

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• 7": Mercury / IDEA 9 (UK){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 7-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Phonogram Records / Mercury Records |id= 042288065975}}

1. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"{{spaced ndash}}4:11
2. B. "Pharaohs"{{spaced ndash}} 3:42

• Double 7" Special Limited Edition: Mercury / IDEA 99 (UK){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK double 7-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records |id= 0422880764768}}

1. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"{{spaced ndash}} 4:11
2. B. "Pharaohs"{{spaced ndash}} 3:42
3. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Urban Mix){{spaced ndash}} 6:06
4. B. "Roland & Curt Interviewed"{{spaced ndash}} 7:30

• 10": Mercury / IDEA 910 (UK){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 10-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records |id= 0 42288 06590 6}}

1. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"{{spaced ndash}} 4:11
2. B. "Pharaohs"{{spaced ndash}} 3:42

• 12": Mercury / IDEA 912 (UK){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 12-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records |id= 042288065913}}

1. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Extended Version){{spaced ndash}} 5:43
2. B1. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (7" Version){{spaced ndash}} 4:11
3. B2. "Pharaohs"{{spaced ndash}} 3:42

• Urban Mix 12": Mercury / IDEA 912 (UK){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 12-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records}}

1. A. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Urban Mix){{spaced ndash}} 6:06
2. B. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Instrumental){{spaced ndash}} 4:26

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• CD Video: Mercury / 080 032-2 (UK, PAL){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 12-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records |id= 0 4400800322 9}}

1. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 4:10
2. "The Marauders" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 4:13
3. "When in Love With a Blind Man" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 2:22
4. "Pharaohs" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 3:39
5. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Video){{spaced ndash}} 4:41

• CD Video: Mercury / 870 745-2 (US, NTSC){{cite AV media notes|title= Everybody Wants to Rule the World |others= Tears for Fears |year= 1985 |type= UK 12-inch Single liner notes |publisher= Mercury Records |id= 0 422-870745-2 7}}

1. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 4:10
2. "The Marauders" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 4:13
3. "When in Love With a Blind Man" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 2:22
4. "Pharaohs" (Audio){{spaced ndash}} 3:39
5. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" (Video){{spaced ndash}} 4:41

{{col-end}}

Credits adapted from the original album liner notes, the liner notes of Saturnine Martial & Lunatic, Reverb Machine,{{cite web|title=Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World Synths|url=https://reverbmachine.com/blog/tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world-synths/|access-date=2023-05-27|website=reverbmachine.com|date=16 September 2020 }} and Mix.{{cite magazine|first= Heather |last= Johnson |title= Classic Tracks: Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" |website= Mix |date= 1 August 2007 |access-date= 4 July 2021 |url= https://www.mixonline.com/recording/classic-tracks-tears-fears-everybody-wants-rule-world-365857}}

Tears for Fears

• Roland Orzabal{{spaced ndash}} electric and acoustic guitars, guitar solo (first), Yamaha DX7 and Prophet T-8 synthesizers, backing vocals
• Curt Smith{{spaced ndash}} PPG Wave synth-bass, lead vocals
• Ian Stanley{{spaced ndash}} Yamaha DX7 and Fairlight CMI synthesizers, LinnDrum and Oberheim DMX programming
• Manny Elias{{spaced ndash}} drums, Oberheim DMX programming

Additional personnel

• Neil Taylor{{spaced ndash}} electric and acoustic guitars, guitar solo (second)
• Chris Hughes{{spaced ndash}} producer, Oberheim DMX and MIDI programming
• Dave Bascombe{{spaced ndash}} engineer

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|relyear=1985|certyear=2022|award=Platinum|number=5|access-date=5 September 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|award=Platinum|relyear=1985|certyear=2024|access-date=September 20, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|award=Gold|refname="MusicCanada"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|relyear=1985|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|id=12733|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|type=single|relyear=1985|certyear=2023|award=Gold|access-date=16 May 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|type=single|relyear=1985|certyear=2023|award=Platinum|id=11329|access-date=8 September 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|artist=Tears for Fears|type=single|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1985|access-date=December 15, 2024|certyear=2024|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Tears for Fears|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|number=4|id=2135-1044-1|access-date=21 October 2024|refname="BPI"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Everybody Wants to Run the World

| cover = TFF EWTRunTW.jpg

| border = yes

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Tears for Fears

| album =

| released = 23 May 1986{{cite magazine|date=17 May 1986|title=News|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/86/Record-Mirror-1986-05-17-OCR.pdf|magazine=Record Mirror|page=6|access-date=14 July 2022}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:30

| label =

• Phonogram
• Mercury

| writer =

• Roland Orzabal
• Ian Stanley
• Chris Hughes

| producer = Tears for Fears

| prev_title = I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)

| prev_year = 1985

| next_title = Mothers Talk [US remix]

| next_year = 1986

}}

"Everybody Wants to Run the World" is a re-recording of the band's song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". The reworked single was released in May 1986 as the theme song for the Sport Aid campaign, a charitable event held to raise money for famine relief in Africa.{{cite book|first= Dave |last= McAleer |year= 2001 |title= Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts from 1954 to the Present Day |publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation |page= 268 |isbn= 978-0-87930-808-7}} It was a success in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's sixth top 5 hit, peaking at number 5 in June 1986. The song also reached number 4 in Ireland.

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Everybody Wants to Rule the World

| cover =

| alt =

| artist = Lorde

| album = The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

| released = 15 November 2013

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

• Industrial{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/11/album-review-various-artists-the-hunger-games-catching-fire-soundtrack/|title=Album Review: Various Artists – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Soundtrack|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date= January 8, 2024|first=Rob|last=Hakimian|date=November 19, 2013}}
• downtempo{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|date=November 18, 2013|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/review/a531956/hunger-games-catching-fire-soundtrack-review-not-just-a-quick-cash-in.html#~p56XP7KBqBI312|title=Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack review: Not just a quick cash-in|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date= January 8, 2024}}

| length = 2:35

| label =

• Republic
• Mercury

| writer =

• Roland Orzabal
• Ian Stanley
• Chris Hughes

| producer =

• Peter Shurkin
• Joel Little

}}

New Zealand singer Lorde recorded a cover of the song for the soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).{{cite web|first= Brenna |last= Ehrlich |title= Is Lorde's 'Catching Fire' Track an 80's Cover? |publisher= MTV |date= 30 September 2013 |access-date= 12 October 2013 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714829/hunger-games-catching-fire-soundtrack-lorde-cover.jhtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130930230329/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714829/hunger-games-catching-fire-soundtrack-lorde-cover.jhtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= 30 September 2013}} The cover was produced by Peter Shurkin and Joel Little with arrangement by Michael A. Levine and Lucas Cantor.{{cite AV media notes|title= The Hunger Games: Catching Fire |others= Various artists |year= 2013 |publisher= Republic Records / Mercury Records}} Orzabal praised Lorde for reinventing the cover, stating that the group finds it interesting when artists take what they do and reinterpret it.{{cite web|first= Mike |last= Ragogna |title= From the Hunger Games to Animal Collective, The Hurting and Beyond: Conversations With Tears for Fears' Roland Orzabal & Curt Smith |website= HuffPost |date= 17 December 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ragogna/from-emthe-hunger-gamesem_b_4459597.html}} For their Rule the World Tour, the duo uses this version to launch their show.{{cite news|first= Dave |last= Simpson |title= Tears for Fears review – sumptuous stadium melancholia |newspaper= The Guardian |date= 3 February 2019 |access-date= 23 March 2019 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/03/tears-for-fears-review-liverpool-arena}}

Critics were positively receptive to the cover, some praised it for its darker atmosphere mood although others criticized it for stripping away the song's original upbeat composition.{{cite web|first= Gaby |last= Whitehill |title= Listen: Lorde Covers 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' |website= Gigwise |date= 13 November 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.gigwise.com/news/85989/}}{{cite news|first= Tim |last= Molloy |title= 'Hunger Games': Hear Lorde's Icy 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' Cover (Audio) |work= The Wrap |via= Yahoo! |date= 12 November 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/hunger-games-hear-lorde-icy-everybody-wants-rule-153223892.html}} David Haglund from Slate stated that while the song "doesn't top the great original, it does memorably reinvent it".{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Haglund |title= Lorde Sings "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" for The Hunger Games |magazine= Slate |date= 12 November 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/11/12/lorde_everybody_wants_to_rule_the_world_hunger_games_soundtrack_listen_to.html}} Sam Lansky from Idolator called the cover "haunting and melodramatic".{{cite web |first= Sam |last= Lansky |title= Lorde Covers Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World": Listen |website= Idolator |date= 12 November 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= http://www.idolator.com/7493099/lorde-tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Conversely, Stereogum editor Nate Patrin criticized the chorus and production but praised the "aloof strangeness" in Lorde's vocals for being able to carry the song "past the usual Dramatic Reenvisionings".{{cite web|first= Nate |last= Patrin |title= Gotcha Covered: "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" |website= Stereogum |date= 29 March 2017 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1931130/gotcha-covered-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-world/franchises/gotcha-covered/}} Paste and Exclaim! included the cover in their respective 2013 year-end lists for covers,{{cite magazine |first= Tyler |last= Kane |title= The 15 Best Cover Songs of 2013 |magazine= Paste |date= 18 December 2013 |access-date= 17 June 2018 |url= https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/12/the-15-best-cover-songs-of-2013.html |archive-date= 18 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002932/https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/12/the-15-best-cover-songs-of-2013.html |url-status= dead }}{{cite web |title=Top 10 Cover Songs of 2013 |url=https://consequence.net/2013/12/top-10-cover-songs-of-2013/ |website=Exclaim! |access-date=8 January 2023 |date=17 December 2013}} while the former ranked it 13th on their decade-end list for covers.{{cite news |title=The 30 Best Cover Songs of the 2010s |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/article/best-cover-songs-2010s |access-date=18 November 2023 |work=Paste |date=29 October 2019}} Her cover appeared on the New Zealand Singles Chart at number 14. It reached number 53 in Australia, number 65 in the United Kingdom, number 93 in France, and number 27 on the U.S. Hot Rock Songs chart.

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2018|access-date=10 January 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2025|access-date=January 28, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lorde|title=Everybody Wants to Rule the World|award=Silver|relyear=2013|certyear=2022|id=2135-3846-1|access-date=21 October 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists covered the song in 2010 for the inaugural episode of The A.V. Club's A.V. Undercover web series.{{cite web |title=Ted Leo and the Pharmacists cover Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" |url=https://www.avclub.com/ted-leo-and-the-pharmacists-cover-tears-for-fears-everybody-wants-to-rule-the-wo |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=25 July 2024}}

Relient K recorded a version of the song for their 2011 cover album Is for Karaoke.{{cite web |last=Van Pelt |first=Doug |title=Relient K to stream new album |url=https://hmmagazine.com/relient-k-to-stream-new-album/ |website=HM |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725053539/https://hmmagazine.com/relient-k-to-stream-new-album/ |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |date=30 September 2011 |url-status=live}}

Weezer covered the song on their 2019 self-titled cover album.{{cite news |title=Weezer Surprise-Releases Covers Album |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/weezer-covers-album-toto-africa-1203116485/ |access-date=22 April 2023 |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225201353/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/weezer-covers-album-toto-africa-1203116485/ |archive-date=25 February 2023 |url-status=live}} They were joined by Orzabal and Smith to perform the song live at Coachella 2019 on April 14,{{cite web |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |title=Watch Weezer Bring Out TLC's Chilli, Tears for Fears at Coachella 2019 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-weezer-bring-out-tlcs-chilli-tears-for-fears-at-coachella-2019/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308134748/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-weezer-bring-out-tlcs-chilli-tears-for-fears-at-coachella-2019/ |archive-date=8 March 2023 |date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live}} and again two days later on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.{{cite magazine |last=Fernando |first=Madeleine |title=Weezer and Tears For Fears Rock 'Jimmy Kimmel' With 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World': Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/weezer-tears-for-fears-perform-jimmy-kimmel-8507408/ |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814125752/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/weezer-tears-for-fears-perform-jimmy-kimmel-8507408/ |archive-date=14 August 2022 |date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

The song was interpolated by Miley Cyrus for a remix of "Black Skinhead" by Kanye West which leaked online in January 2016.{{cite web |last1=Frydenlund |first1=Zach |title=Did Kanye West and Miley Cyrus' "Black Skinhead Remix" Just Leak? |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/kanye-west-miley-cyrus-black-skinhead-remix-leak |website=Complex |access-date=25 January 2024}}

The song appears at the end of Despicable Me 4, where Gru and Maxime Le Mal are in prison putting on a talent show for all of the prisoners, with the franchise's villains from the previous Despicable Me films return in this scene, while Poppy Prescott enrolled at Lycée Pas Bon in a little dance, and Gru and his family have a party for celebrating and defeating Maxime Le Mal by singing the song. The cover version, performed by the film's cast, also appears on the movie's soundtrack.{{cite news|last=Goldstein|first=Gary|date=July 3, 2024|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-07-03/despicable-me-4-review-steve-carell-will-ferrell-kristen-wiig|title=Review: 'Despicable Me 4' swirls with overplotted mania and should prove distracting enough|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 17, 2024}}

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1985
• List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1985
• List of number-one dance singles of 1985 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 1985 (Canada)
• List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand)

{{Reflist}}

{{Tears for Fears}}

{{Lorde singles}}

{{Brit British Single}}

{{The Hunger Games}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1985 songs

Category:1985 singles

Category:1986 singles

Category:Tears for Fears songs

Category:Lorde songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Cashbox number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Brit Award for British Single

Category:Music videos directed by Nigel Dick

Category:Phonogram Records singles

Category:Mercury Records singles

Category:Vertigo Records singles

Category:Republic Records singles

Category:Songs written by Ian Stanley

Category:Songs written by Roland Orzabal

Category:The Hunger Games music

Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Hughes (record producer)

Category:Music videos shot in the United States