Imagine a world where villains are locked in a relentless struggle for global supremacy—what song would you think of? With the release of *Despicable Me 4*, the answer is likely Tears For Fears’ iconic 1980s anthem, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” In a standout prison scene, Steve Carell’s Gru and Will Ferrell’s Maxime Le Mal belt out the track, blending humor with the song’s enduring message. The movie, which soared to the top of the US box office over the 4th of July weekend, has introduced the song to a whole new audience, embedding it in the minds of a fresh generation.
Let’s take a moment to revisit the original version by Tears For Fears. The band’s performance of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” from February 2022, during their appearance on SiriusXM to promote their album *The Tipping Point*, shows that time has been kind to Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal. Despite the passing decades, the nostalgic yet ageless melody transports listeners back to the band’s chart-topping days.
The comments from fans underscore the song’s timeless appeal. One admirer, Christopher Williams, calls it “the definition of a timeless classic, one of the best songs ever.” Another, George Kar, reflects on the lyrics, saying, “Nothing ever lasts forever—except the beauty of this song.” Spaceman praises Curt Smith’s voice, noting, “His voice is still so amazing, 37 years later—old but gold.” A Jang adds, “Dude’s in his 60s and yet he still sings like he’s in his 20s.”
In a 2017 interview, Orzabal and Smith remarked that “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” remains as poignant today as it was during the Cold War, though global tensions have shifted from the US and Russia to other regions like the US and North Korea. With Russia once again making headlines, the song’s relevance continues to grow, further amplified by its inclusion in *Despicable Me 4*. The film’s cast version of the song brings a fun and fresh take on this classic, adding to its legacy.
Steve Carell, a veteran of the *Despicable Me* franchise, admitted that working with newcomer Will Ferrell was a challenge—Ferrell’s humor made it nearly impossible to stay in character during their scenes together.
Back in 1985, when Tears For Fears topped the charts, they missed out on performing at Live Aid due to some touring members being unavailable. To make amends, they donated proceeds from several concerts to the cause and released a novelty single for the Band-Aid-linked famine-relief charity, Sports Aid, titled “Everybody Wants to Run the World.” The song’s video became a staple on MTV, and the single reached #5 in the UK charts.
A fun tidbit about the song’s title: the late Joe Strummer of The Clash, who knew Orzabal and Smith from their days in a mod/ska/new wave group called Graduate, once joked that they owed him credit for the success of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” He claimed the title was inspired by a line from The Clash’s song “Charlie Don’t Surf,” itself a quote from the movie *Apocalypse Now*. Orzabal, in good humor, handed over a fiver when they bumped into each other at a restaurant in 1988.
To wrap things up, let’s revisit “Everybody Wants to Run the World.” The video, a true time capsule from the mid-1980s, features cameos by Midge Ure, Frank Bruno, Duncan Goodhew, Bob Geldof, Tessa Sanderson, Jimmy White, Alex Higgins, and Peter Ustinov. Enjoy this nostalgic piece of music history!