In 1985, Tears for Fears released "Everybody Wants To Rule the World", another one of their Songs from the Big Chair. In 2013, Lorde covered the song for the soundtrack to Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Although the original is one of my favorite songs, and I think that Lorde is a little overrated, Lorde's vocals on "Royals" gave me some hope for the cover. I appreciate that Lorde attempted a unique take on the song, but her interpretation just doesn't work. Maybe it would have worked in the movie if it had actually been used therein instead of just on the soundtrack, but it doesn't work on its own. The original is a big and powerful pop song without being over the top. The cover comes across as largely lifeless. Lorde doesn't sound as if she wants to make the most of freedom or of pleasure. She sounds as if she's just going through the motions. Lorde may be hot at the moment, but she's not omnipotent. She took on too much with the song -- or she didn't try hard enough. Not everybody can rule this song.
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