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Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Guitar Lesson

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Key D major
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World guitar lesson video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Tears for Fears Pop Rock D major
Capo Advisor 0 D major · Original key

About Everybody Wants to Rule the World

The opening guitar figure of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is what most players come for: a clean, arpeggiated riff in D major that sets the mood immediately and sits right in the pocket at 85 BPM. In E Standard tuning, it lies comfortably on the fretboard, but getting the phrasing to feel relaxed and slightly behind the beat takes more attention than the notes themselves suggest. The rhythmic guitar parts throughout the song ask for a light touch and careful dampening so they blend with the synth-driven arrangement rather than cutting through it. Tears for Fears wrote the track to feel effortless, which means any stiffness in your picking hand will show up immediately. This is a great song to study clean tone control and understated Pop Rock rhythm playing. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the intro riff slowed down until the pick attack is consistent and the notes ring cleanly without excess sustain bleeding into each other.

  • The signature intro riff is an arpeggiated clean-tone figure in D major, best played with a light pick attack to preserve its airy, relaxed feel.
  • At 85 BPM in E Standard tuning, the song is approachable for intermediate players, but nailing the subtle rhythmic pocket is the real challenge.
  • Controlled palm damping on the rhythm guitar parts is key to sitting in the mix without overwhelming the synth-heavy arrangement.

How to Play Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Tuning: E Standard · Key: D major · Tempo: 85 BPM

Loop each section and focus on clean, even timing rather than speed, with the metronome at 85 BPM.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Roland Orzabal's primary guitar for Songs from the Big Chair, its bright single-coil pickups and articulate tone create the jangly, shimmering arpeggios that define tracks like 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World.' The Strat's responsive dynamics pair perfectly with chorus and delay effects for that signature atmospheric sound.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Orzabal used Telecasters alongside Stratocasters during the '80s for their cutting, glassy single-coil tone that sits perfectly in the mix with chorus effects. The Tele's bright midrange complements the band's clean, synth-driven production without needing distortion or heavy effects.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

This amp provides the warm, natural breakup Tears for Fears use in live settings when they need grit without resorting to distortion pedals. The Twin Reverb's built-in reverb tank adds to the band's atmospheric, spacious guitar tone alongside their primary effects chain.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

Orzabal deployed the AC30 for its chiming, slightly overdriven character that suits Tears for Fears's preference for amp-driven breakup over pedal distortion. Its natural sag and harmonic complexity enhance the band's clean, chorus-drenched aesthetic.

Boss CE-2 Chorus
Pedal

Boss CE-2 Chorus

This pedal is essential to Tears for Fears's signature sound, providing the lush, shimmering chorus effect that defines their atmospheric guitar work. The CE-2 pairs with generous delay and reverb to create the wide, spacious soundscape heard throughout Songs from the Big Chair.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Digital delay was crucial for the band's layered, atmospheric guitar tone, adding spatial depth and rhythmic complexity to clean arpeggios. The DD-3's precise timing and repeats complement the chorus effect in creating Tears for Fears's distinctive '80s production sound.

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