Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
One of my favorite songs from the '80s. I had to simplify the instrumental passages a bit to make this song playable for me, but I hope you like this ukulelified rendition. I previously did another Tears for Fears song called "Mad World," but more in the Gary Jules style. Here are the chords I used:
D/G - 0220
intro: [ D/G C ] x3 (for this particular set, which shows up in the verses and some of the breaks, it's played two beats on the D/G and six beats on the C)
Welcome to your [D/G] life [C]
There's no turning [D/G] back [C]
Even while we [D/G] sleep [C]
We will find you [Am] acting on your [Bm] best behavior
[C] Turn your back on [Bm] Mother Nature
Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [D/G] world [C]
[D/G C] x2
It's my own de[D/G]sign [C]
It's my own re[D/G]morse [C]
Help me to de[D/G]cide [C], help me make the
[Am] most of freedom [Bm] and of pleasure
[C] Nothing ever [Bm] lasts forever
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the -
[C] There's a room where the [G] light won't [C] find you
Holding hands while the [G] walls come [D] tumbling [C] down
When they do I'll be [G] right be[D]hind you
[Am] So glad we've [Bm] almost made it
[C] So sad they [Bm] had to fade it
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the
[G] world [G] (ukulele roll)
abridged instrumental interlude:
keyboard [ Em C Bm7 G ] x2
ukulele [ D/G C ] x2
[Am] I can't stand this [Bm] indecision
[C] married with a [Bm] lack of vision
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the -
[C] Say that you'll [Bm] never, never, never, never need it
[C] One headline, [Bm] why believe it?
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [G] world
[Am] All for freedom [Bm] and for pleasure
[C] Nothing ever [Bm] lasts forever
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [D/G] world [C]
[D/G C] repeat and fade
One of my favorite songs from the '80s. I had to simplify the instrumental passages a bit to make this song playable for me, but I hope you like this ukulelified rendition. I previously did another Tears for Fears song called "Mad World," but more in the Gary Jules style. Here are the chords I used:
D/G - 0220
intro: [ D/G C ] x3 (for this particular set, which shows up in the verses and some of the breaks, it's played two beats on the D/G and six beats on the C)
Welcome to your [D/G] life [C]
There's no turning [D/G] back [C]
Even while we [D/G] sleep [C]
We will find you [Am] acting on your [Bm] best behavior
[C] Turn your back on [Bm] Mother Nature
Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [D/G] world [C]
[D/G C] x2
It's my own de[D/G]sign [C]
It's my own re[D/G]morse [C]
Help me to de[D/G]cide [C], help me make the
[Am] most of freedom [Bm] and of pleasure
[C] Nothing ever [Bm] lasts forever
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the -
[C] There's a room where the [G] light won't [C] find you
Holding hands while the [G] walls come [D] tumbling [C] down
When they do I'll be [G] right be[D]hind you
[Am] So glad we've [Bm] almost made it
[C] So sad they [Bm] had to fade it
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the
[G] world [G] (ukulele roll)
abridged instrumental interlude:
keyboard [ Em C Bm7 G ] x2
ukulele [ D/G C ] x2
[Am] I can't stand this [Bm] indecision
[C] married with a [Bm] lack of vision
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the -
[C] Say that you'll [Bm] never, never, never, never need it
[C] One headline, [Bm] why believe it?
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [G] world
[Am] All for freedom [Bm] and for pleasure
[C] Nothing ever [Bm] lasts forever
[Am] Every[Bm]body [C] wants to [D] rule the [D/G] world [C]
[D/G C] repeat and fade
