Song meaning of Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Lorde

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Lorde is a cover of the classic Tears for Fears song, reimagined with Lorde's signature haunting and ethereal sound. The song delves into themes of power, desire, and the fleeting nature of control. In the opening verse, Lorde sets the tone by singing, "Welcome to your life, there's no turning back, even while we sleep, we will find you." This suggests a sense of inevitability and the constant pursuit of power that drives individuals.

The refrain, "Everybody wants to rule the world," serves as a powerful statement on the universal desire for control and dominance. Lorde's delivery of this line adds a sense of urgency and longing, emphasizing the insatiable nature of this desire. The lyrics in the second verse, "It's my own desire, it's my own remorse, help me to decide, help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure," highlight the internal conflict that comes with the pursuit of power. The juxtaposition of desire and remorse reflects the complex emotions that accompany the quest for control.

The chorus paints a vivid picture of a crumbling world, with the lines, "There's a room where the light won't find you, holding hands while the walls come tumbling down." This imagery conveys a sense of chaos and destruction, suggesting that the pursuit of power can lead to downfall. The lines, "So glad we've almost made it, so sad we had to fade it," capture the bittersweet nature of achieving power, only to see it slip away.

Overall, "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Lorde explores the universal desire for control and the consequences that come with it. Through her haunting vocals and reimagined sound, Lorde brings a fresh perspective to this timeless classic, inviting listeners to reflect on the complexities of power and desire.