Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Tears For Fears on Drums

Intermediate

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

Learn to Play Everybody Wants To Rule The World Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

Choose your Drum Sheet Version

Two versions of the drum sheet - choose the one that fits your level and goals.

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Advanced

Exactly as played on the original recording
All fills & ghost notes
Full arrangement

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Purchase for only 1.90$

Not sure which version?

We recommend starting with the Simplified Version and moving to the Original Version once you're comfortable with the groove and structure.

Unlock all songs library and practice like a pro:

$10 / month

Billed at $120 per year

7-day free trial
Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime
30-day money-back guarantee

Start with 7-Day Trial

$15 / month

Billed at $15 per month

Full access to all songs
Interactive player
Downloadable drum sheets
Full support
Cancel anytime

Purchase

Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Everybody Wants To Rule The World

12/8 Shuffle Groove Consistency
Triplet-Based Timing Precision
Right-Hand Hi-Hat Endurance
Understated Fill Placement Accuracy
Bass Drum Independence Control

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers looking to master triplet timing, shuffle patterns, and pocket control. It is highly beneficial for players wanting to develop rhythmic endurance, precision hi-hat dynamics, and the foundational coordination required to drive mid-tempo pop-rock arrangements with absolute confidence.

Learn to play Everybody Wants To Rule The World on drums

Play Everybody Wants to Rule the World drum cover with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the notation moves with the music, slow down challenging sections with tempo control, loop difficult shuffle grooves until they feel natural, and isolate the drum track to hear every detail of Manny Elias's precise performance. Whether you're mastering the distinctive 12/8 triplet feel or refining your hi-hat opening consistency, our step-by-step learning tools make mastering this track faster, easier, and far more effective than practicing from a static PDF alone. Grab your sticks and start locking into this driving groove today.

Song information

Artist: Tears For Fears

Drummer: Manny Elias

Album: Songs from the Big Chair

Released: 1985

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a continuous 12/8 shuffle pulse, precise triplet-based hi-hat patterns, subtle snare ghosting, syncopated bass drum placements, and clean, understated fills that require exceptional timing consistency and limb independence.

Song's Overview

Released in 1985 on Tears for Fears' album Songs from the Big Chair, Everybody Wants to Rule the World stands out as a masterclass in mid-80s new wave and pop-rock production. Musically, the track is defined by its infectious, driving 12/8 shuffle rhythm, a choice that sets it apart from the standard 4/4 straight beats dominant during that era. This rhythmic foundation provides a unique forward momentum that perfectly carries the song's lush synthesizers and melodic guitar lines. For musicians looking to learn Everybody Wants to Rule the World on drums, the track offers a brilliant study in triplet-based timekeeping and groove endurance. Manny Elias’s drumming utilizes a steady driving pulse where the subtle interplay between the hi-hat accents and the snare placements creates a deep pocket. Rather than relying on heavy, explosive fills, the track demands absolute precision and a smooth touch to maintain the fluid, rolling feel of the shuffle. Studying this Everybody Wants to Rule the World drum sheet allows players to understand how to lock a groove with a sequenced bassline while adding human nuance. Developing a proper Everybody Wants to Rule the World drum cover requires a deep appreciation for micro-timing, ensuring that the shuffle feel never drags or rushes.

Want access to all lessons?

View Plans >>

About the Drummer

Manny Elias was the original drummer for Tears for Fears, playing on their most iconic 80s hits. He helped pioneer the blend of acoustic drums with electronic elements in New Wave music. He is a fantastic study for those learning drums with an interest in 80s pop production.

Drumming Style

His style on this track features a unique "shuffle" feel that gives the song its driving, optimistic energy. Playing drums like Manny requires a steady, swinging hi-hat and very precise snare ghost notes. This track is a favorite in drum lessons for teaching unique grooves and is a popular choice for drum covers.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song’s 12/8 shuffle demands absolute precision. Begin practicing at 80–90 BPM before working up to the original 112 BPM tempo. Focus on clean triplet alignment between your hi-hat and bass drum to build a solid rhythmic foundation.

Loop the Groove Transitions

Pay close attention to the shifts between verses and choruses. Use loop mode to isolate these sectional changes, ensuring your right-hand pattern remains entirely smooth and unhurried when moving across the arrangement.

Avoid Rushing the Shuffle

A common mistake when trying to learn drums on this track is pushing the tempo. The shuffle should feel relaxed yet driving. Keep your snare backbeats perfectly centered to avoid rushing the pocket.

Lock with the Bassline

To deliver an authentic drum cover, focus your timing entirely on the driving synth-bass pulse. Practice with a metronome set to triplets, aligning your kick drum precisely with the underlying electronic sequence.

Master the Hi-Hat Dynamics

The defining element of this drum score is the consistent hi-hat work. Practice playing the driving eighth-note triplets with subtle accents on the downbeats, keeping your strokes relaxed to prevent forearm fatigue.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Internalize the 12/8 Shuffle Pulse

Isolate the core driving rhythm of the song. Focus on building a steady, relaxed triplet feel on the hi-hat while placing the snare firmly on beats two and four. Practice slowly to lock in the foundational pocket.

Phase 2: Syncopate Kick Drum Patterns

Analyze the subtle kick drum variations beneath the main groove. Practice integrating these bass drum notes smoothly without disrupting your right-hand triplet flow, ensuring tight coordination across your entire drum kit.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Sectional Transitions

Work through the drum notation during the song's bridges and structural shifts. Practice entering and exiting the clean, minimalistic fills, keeping your timing completely steady as you transition between verses and choruses.

Phase 4: Build Endurance for Performance

Combine all sections and play along with the full drum transcription. Focus on maintaining a relaxed physical posture and dynamic consistency from the opening guitar intro to the final fading groove.

FAQ

Is Everybody Wants To Rule The World suitable for beginners?

Everybody Wants To Rule The World is better suited for intermediate to advanced drummers. However, it can be a great long-term goal as your skills improve.

Can I learn Everybody Wants To Rule The World if I’m not very confident reading drum notation?

Everybody Wants To Rule The World involves more complex patterns, so reading drum notation will make the learning process much easier and faster.

Do I need a full drum kit to play Everybody Wants To Rule The World?

No — you don’t need a full drum kit to play Everybody Wants To Rule The World. A basic setup (kick, snare, hi-hat) is enough to get started.

How will learning Everybody Wants To Rule The World improve my drumming skills?

Everybody Wants To Rule The World challenges you in a musical way, helping you improve not just technique, but also your ability to play with feel, structure, and confidence.

What skills do I need before learning Everybody Wants To Rule The World?

To learn Everybody Wants To Rule The World, you’ll need solid timing, good coordination, and experience with more complex drum patterns.