10 '80s Songs You Totally Forgot Were Great
4. Tears For Fears: Everybody Wants To Rule The World (1985)
When it comes to '80s synth pop, Tears For Fears are one of the greats. After the success of the group's debut, The Hurting, they set about recording their follow up in 1984. Inspired by acts like Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams, who indulged in huge and triumphant sounds, TFF were encouraged to expand their musical palate and go for the big swing.
But, the production process took far longer than originally intended. The group spent months recording, Shout, which involved time consuming and complex production techniques. During a lull in the process, they started playing around with a concept for a further track as a means of escape. Roland Orzabal was heard playing a simple melody on an acoustic guitar, and the other band members realised its potential. They developed the music fairly quickly but the words were slow to come. As a way to mitigate this, Orzabal lifted the opening line from the Clash's track Charlie Don't Surf, opening up the lyrical flood gates. It became one of the group's greatest musical achievements.
Lead singer of the Clash, Joe Strummer, had something to say about this, however. After the song's release, he supposably confronted Orzabal in a restaurant, and demanded a fiver as compensation.