Listen: Lorde's chilling cover of 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The familiar tune gets a dystopian makeover for the soundtrack to the Hunger Games sequel
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire doesn't hit theaters until November 22, but anyone who wants to take an early trip to Panem can listen to this chilling cover of Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," which was recorded for the upcoming blockbuster's soundtrack by New Zealand pop sensation Lorde.
Though "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was originally released in 1985 — and has since appeared in everything from Fox's Glee to the movie In a World… to the bestselling video game BioShock Infinite — the song feels tailor-made for the twisted, dystopian world of The Hunger Games. "Welcome to your life, there's no turning back. Even while we sleep, we will find you," sings Lorde in this grim, muted take on the pop hit.
It's hard to imagine a more zeitgeist-y choice for the Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack than Lorde, who exploded onto the charts with her hit song "Royals," making her the first singer from New Zealand to land a number one Billboard hit in the United States. As she prepares to reenter the arena, Katniss Everdeen has a new anthem. We'll see if the rest of the Catching Fire soundtrack — which includes songs from Coldplay, Christina Aguilera, The Lumineers, and more — can live up to this impressive track when it debuts next week.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
-
What to know when planning an awe-inspiring hike on the Inca Trail
The Week Recommends Peru's most famous trail leads to Machu Picchu
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Lead poisoning remains a threat
The Explainer The toxin is built into our lives
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Should you use a 529 plan? What to know about this college savings option.
The Explainer This tax-advantaged savings account can be used to pay tuition or buy textbooks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published