Mastering the Chords for “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
As an experienced musician and guitar enthusiast, I have received numerous requests for the chords to popular songs. One song that consistently stands out is “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. With its captivating melody and timeless lyrics, it’s no surprise that aspiring guitarists are eager to learn the chords for this iconic track. In this comprehensive guide, I will break down the chord progression and provide you with all the key information you need to master this classic tune.
Learning the Chords for “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
Verse Chords
To begin learning how to play “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on the guitar, it is essential to start with the verse chords. These chords form a solid foundation for the rest of the song and are relatively simple to play.
The main verse chords are G, D, Em, and C. These chords follow a repeating pattern throughout the verse sections of the song. The chord progression is as follows: G – D – Em – C.
To play the G chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string. For the D chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. To play the Em chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your middle and ring fingers on the 2nd fret of the D and G strings respectively. Finally, for the C chord, place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string.

Chorus Chords
Now let’s move on to the chorus chords, which add a sense of energy and excitement to the song. The chorus chord progression is a slight variation of the verse progression, with one new chord added.
The chorus chords are Em, G, and D. The progression here is Em – G – D. To play the Em chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string and your middle and ring fingers on the 2nd fret of the D and G strings respectively. For the G chord, use the same finger placement as before. Finally, for the D chord, move your index finger to the 2nd fret of the G string while keeping the rest of the finger placement the same.
Bridge Chords
Lastly, let’s explore the bridge chords. The bridge of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” introduces a contrasting section that adds depth and emotion to the song.
The bridge chords consist of C, D, Em, and Bm. The chord progression for the bridge is slightly more intricate: C – D – Em – Bm. To play the Bm chord, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the B string, and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the D string.
If you’re a fan of 80s music or simply enjoy playing popular songs on the guitar, mastering the chords to “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a must. This timeless song continues to captivate audiences with its infectious energy. With the chord diagrams and finger positions provided in this guide, you’ll be able to recreate the iconic sound of Tears for Fears in no time. So grab your guitar, tune those strings, and let’s dive into the chords that will have you ruling the world!