Everybody Wants to Rule the World – English Lyrics

• By: Tears for Fears

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the enduring power of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." This synth-pop classic from 1985 offers a captivating blend of infectious melody and thought-provoking lyrics, exploring universal themes of power and ambition. Immerse yourself in its sound and uncover the commentary on human nature that continues to resonate today.

[English]

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

...

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-

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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter
turn /tɜrn/ A2	verb - to move in a circular direction around a central point
find /faɪnd/ A2	verb - to discover something or someone
best /bɛst/ A2	adjective - of the highest quality, standard, or level
nature /ˈneɪtʃər/ B1	noun - the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, and landscapes
freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ B1	noun - the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants
pleasure /ˈplɛʒər/ B2	noun - a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment
last /læst/ B2	verb - to continue for a specified period of time
indecision /ˌɪndɪˈsɪʒən/ C1	noun - the inability to make a decision quickly
vision /ˈvɪʒən/ B2	noun - the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom
headline /ˈhɛdlaɪn/ B2	noun - a heading at the top of an article or page in a newspaper or magazine
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept something as true
room /ruːm/ A1	noun - a part of a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling
light /laɪt/ A1	noun - the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible
walls /wɔlz/ A2	noun - the vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist

Key Grammar Structures

• There's no turning back

  ➔ Existential 'there' + 'be' verb + negation

  ➔ Uses the existential 'there' with the verb 'is' (is not) to indicate existence or non-existence.

• Acting on your best behaviour

  ➔ Present participle + preposition + possessive pronoun + noun

  ➔ The phrase describes an action performed in the manner of good behaviour, using the present participle 'acting'.

• Turn your back on Mother Nature

  ➔ Verb + possessive pronoun + noun + preposition + noun

  ➔ Imperative form with possessive pronoun indicating to turn away from something important or natural.

• Help me to decide

  ➔ Verb + object pronoun + infinitive verb

  ➔ The verb 'help' is followed by the object 'me' and the infinitive 'to decide', showing assistance in making a decision.

• Nothing ever lasts forever

  ➔ Pronoun + adverb + verb + noun + adjective

  ➔ Expresses that no thing lasts forever, using the adverb 'ever' for emphasis.

• So glad we've almost made it

  ➔ Adjective + pronoun + auxiliary verb + adverb + past participle

  ➔ Expresses a feeling of happiness about nearing success, using the phrase 'almost made it' with auxiliary 'have' and past participle.