Hello! Below you'll find my "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Tears For Fears is a lot of fun to cover on piano. The counting and timing can be a bit tricky, but I go over how to approach it in the video.
Enjoy!
Everybody Wants To Rule The World Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Everybody Wants To Rule The World:
Everybody Wants To Rule The World Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
4 Measures guitar melody, then:
| A/D G/D | G/D | A/D G/D | G/D | X2
4 Measures guitar melody, then:
| A/D G/D | G/D | A/D G/D | G/D | X2
[Verse 1]
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
Welcome to your life
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
There's no turning back
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
Even while we sleep
| A/D G/D | G/D |
We will find you
[Chorus 1]
Em F#m G
Acting on your best behavior, turn your back
F#m
On mother nature
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
| A/D G/D | G/D | A/D G/D | G/D |
[Verse 2]
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
It's my own design
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
It's my own remorse
| A/D G/D | G/D | (A/D)
Help me to decide
| A/D G/D | G/D
Help me make the
[Chorus 2]
Em F#m G F#m
Most of freedom and of pleasure, nothing ever lasts forever
Em F#m G A
Everybody wants to rule the...
[Bridge]
G D A
There's a room where the light won't find you
G D A (G)
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
G D A
When they do I'll be right behind you
G D A
There's a room where the light won't find you
G D A (G)
Holding hands while the walls come tumbling down
G D A
When they do I'll be right behind you
[Chorus 3]
Em F#m G
So glad we've almost made it,
F#m
So sad they had to fade it
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
[Interlude 1]
| G | D A | X4
| Bm | C | Bm | C | G | A |
| A/D G/D | G/D | A/D G/D | G/D | X2
[Chorus 4]
Em F#m G F#m
I can't stand this indecision, married with a lack of vision
Em F#m G A
Everybody wants to rule the...
[Chorus 5]
Em F#m
Say that you'll never never never never need it
G F#m
One headline, why believe it
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
[Interlude 2]
| G | D A | X2
[Chorus 6]
Em F#m
All for freedom and for pleasure
G F#m
Nothing ever lasts forever
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
Em F#m G A (A/D)
Everybody wants to rule the world
| A/D G/D | G/D | A/D G/D | G/D | X2
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Everybody Wants To Rule The World Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
