Tears for Fears

Released: March 15, 1985

Songwriter: Roland Orzabal Ian Stanley Chris Hughes

Producer: Chris Hughes

[Verse 1]
Welcome to your life
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

[Verse 2]
It's my own design
It's my own remorse
Help me to decide
Help make the 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

[Verse 3]
So glad we've almost made it
So sad they had to fade it
Everybody wants to rule the world

[Interlude]

[Interlude - Guitar Solo]

[Verse 4]
I can't stand this indecision
Married with a lack of vision
Everybody wants to rule the world

[Verse 5]
Say that you'll never, never, never need it
One headline - why believe it?
Everybody wants to rule the world

[Verse 6]
All for freedom and for pleasure
Nothing ever lasts forever
Everybody wants to rule the world

Tears for Fears are an English pop band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.

The group rose to fame in 1982 with single “Mad World”, which made it to number 3 in the UK charts and paved the way for the huge success of debut album The Hurting, released in 1983. However, it wasn’t until Songs from the Big Chair in 1985, a change in musical direction towards pop, that the band made it internationally. The record proved to be hit, reaching #2 in the UK and #1 in the US charts, and contains their most well-known singles, “Shout” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. Third album The Seeds of Love, released in 1989, performed similarly, entering the UK Albums charts at #1.

In 1991, the band broke up. Curt Smith went on as a solo artist while Roland Orzabal continued as Tears for Fears, releasing Elemental in 1993 to much success in the UK (though significantly less in the US) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain in 1995, which did poorly in the charts, only reaching #41 in the UK but with some acclaim in continental Europe. In 2000, Curt and Roland reunited and recorded what became Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, released in 2004 to positive reviews and moderate success. The band currently continues to tour.

more tracks from the album

Remixed Songs from the Big Chair

From the album

Remixed Songs from the Big Chair (2014)

Tears for Fears popular songs

Everybody Wants to Rule the World (12" Version)Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears

Remixed Songs from the Big Chair