Soundalikes: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

I'm equal parts a harmony & production junkie - so it interests me when a hit song's style is emulated by other artists. The chords and melodies of these copycat works may be wholly original - but other elements like instrument choices, effects processing, song structure, rhythms and the shape of melodic motifs may wear the originator's influence heavily upon their sleeves.

Which brings me to my favourite song, 1985's Everybody Wants to Rule the World. This slice of 12/8 pop contains so many recognisable elements that I could probably list a bunch of them without even listening to it:

• A shuffled bass line, featuring sections where there's little deviation from the root note.
• Within the verses, counterpoint is introduced atop this static bassline by a pair of two note chords that imply V & IV over I.
• 12/8 Drums, with noticeable accents on every second 8th - a more prominent hi-hat, snare fills that thrive upon these off-beats.
• That beautiful little bell sound in the second verse - "It's my own design".

And of course, wonderfully syncopated guitar work, great synth usage and anthemic, sing-along vocal tracks.

Anyhow, you know this song already, let's meet the soundalikes. It's worth mentioning that these songs are original, legally distinct creations - it's just that parts of these songs remind me of TFF. This also doesn't mean that I don't enjoy these songs - I deeply admire the skill displayed in blending influence & original ideas.

It Bites - Kiss Like Judas

0:41 has, I feel, a fairly recognisable resemblance to EWTRTW; it has the static shuffle bass line and synth counterpoint, plus some little bells make an appearance! It Bites were fairly "heavy prog" in places; Francis Dunnery's virtuosic guitar work taking this 1988 track, overall, to a more raucous place than TFF's - but there's enough resemblance to call these songs related, in my view.

XTC - King For a Day

This 1989 banger by XTC feels kindred to EWTRTW not only in style, but sentiment too. I think there's an anti-capitalistic vein running throughout both pieces, "Everyone's creeping up to the money God". There are two bass-parts on this record AFAICT, one grounded (on the root) during the verses - where counterpoint is provided, this time, by a motif of 4 chords.

Syncopated guitars and that offbeat drum fill give way to a strong chorus, where the bassline slightly resembles another famous 80's 12/8 hit (guess!). Just like TFF's song, there's a dramatic change at the bridge; though this one somehow sounds like a bridge from a much earlier era. No matter, XTC's musicianship makes it work!

Some listeners may find little in common between the 3, I think it depends on one's ability to aurally "squint" - that's worthy of an article itself I'd imagine! Anyhow, thanks for stopping by, please let us know your soundalike recommendations. I'll leave you with this 2022 TFF song in which they returned to 12/8, this time in a minor key!

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

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