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Lorde‘s latest track release can be found on the Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack.
Rather than penning an original track, the New Zealand singer covered “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” the 1985 hit from Tears for Fears. MTV News previewed the track exclusively on Monday night.
PHOTOS: ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire‘ World Premiere Lights Up the Red Carpet
Lorde’s rendition initially spotlights her textured lower register against booming bass sounds, including some of the same sound effects also present in Coldplay’s Catching Fire song, “Atlas.” The haunting song then grows into an anthemic rumble during the chorus — an approach that Tears for Fears’ Curt Smith called “absolutely amazing.”
The cover fits the film’s soundtrack perfectly, as Smith said in 1985 of the song, “The concept is quite serious — it’s about everybody wanting power, about warfare and the misery it causes.” The themes of power and control were first introduced in the franchise’s first Hunger Games film, and evoked through songs by Taylor Swift, The Decemberists and The Secret Sisters.
Lorde joins fellow chart-toppers on the sequel’s soundtrack, including Christina Aguilera, The Lumineers, Ellie Goulding, Of Monsters and Men, Sia, The National, The Weeknd, Imagine Dragons, Patti Smith, Mikky Ekko, Santigold, Phantogram and Antony & The Johnsons.
PHOTOS: ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’: Meet the Key Characters
Hear a preview of Lorde’s dark cover below:
What do you think of Lorde’s cover of the Tears for Fears hit? Sound off in the comments below.
Twitter: @cashleelee
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