If I Ruled The World

Album: America (1985)
Charted: 24
Play Video
  • Yes yes y'all
    The best y'all, yes yes y'all
    Huh, huh, huh, huh, yes y'all

    If I ruled the world, was king on the throne
    I'd make peace in every culture, build the homeless a home
    I'm not runnin', for Congress or the President
    I'm just here, to tell the world, how my story went
    You see, first it was a dream, I was livin' in Rome
    And then I moved to London, bought a brand new home
    And everywhere I went, I drew lots of attention
    Like a stretch limousine, one of those new inventions
    It took a few years 'fore the day had come
    But I was ruler of the WORLD ranked number one
    So I headed towards Washington to claim the crown
    Let the whole world know that, the King was in town
    As I, arrived, the crowd started to cheer
    And then someone yelled out, "The King is here!"
    So I headed toward stage, to make a speech
    about the new style of living I was gonna teach, uh-huh

    If I ruled the world
    Huh-huh, huh-huh uh-huh uh-huh
    I'd love all the girls, I love 'em love 'em baby!
    Black diamonds and pearls, ooh yeah yeah
    If I ruled the world

    People started flowin' as they reached for my hand
    I said, "Thank you for bringin' me to the Promised Land
    But now I must go, say goodbye to everybody
    Tonight I'll see you all at my Super Dinner Party"
    And late that night, at my Super Dinner Party
    I was dancin' to the beat and entertainin' La-Di-Da-Di
    The music started endin', it was time for a speech
    The crowd started sittin' as I rose from my feet
    And this was once a dream, I explained to the crowd
    But now, I rule the world, and I feel, so very proud
    Excuse me please, for stoppin' this show
    I just had to thank you all, huh, and me so
    My first day in office, the King on the throne
    I spent my first three hours on the telephone
    You know with newsmen reporters, and votes too
    I had so many calls, I didn't know what to do
    You know out that office I continued to work
    I signed so many papers, my fingers started to hurt
    Then I shook off the pain, say this ain't no thing
    'Cause there's nothin' in the world like bein' number one king!

    If I ruled the world
    Huh huh huh huh, huh-huh huh-huh
    I'd love all the girls, I love 'em love 'em baby!
    Black diamonds and pearls, ooh yeah yeah
    If I ruled the world, whoa yeah
    If I ruled the world

    Now I rule the world and now, I'm on top
    And I'm rollin' with folks that could never be stopped
    And I'm here to let you know this is where I belong
    And to you sucker emcees that sing my song
    And it's a song that's strong about right and wrong
    And I'm rock it to you baby baby all night long
    And it's a song about love, and happiness
    In a world of peace, and you know that's fresh
    Now I'm the king, and I want you to know
    That I'm the Master Blaster Rapper who's runnin' the show

    And to all of you rappers in every country
    You better stop what you're doin', and listen to me
    'Cause we gotta stop war, and use unity
    To fight crime and hunger and poverty
    'Cause the African baby is dyin' overseas
    While you sucker mission politicians bustin' out Z's
    Huh, twenty million people all unemployed
    While the rich man try to play Pretty Boy Floyd
    While the working class just struggles hard
    Try to make ends meet against all odds
    While the poor man can't even deal with life
    You know he tried to escape, and smoked the coke on the pipe

    And it's time for a change, to a better way
    'Cause the sun has gotta shine through the cloudy day
    So listen up world, while I teach this class
    And take heed to the message or we ain't gonna last
    'Cause I know, the solution, is the contribution
    Of woman and man to just join the revolution
    That'll take your brain to a higher plane
    And help you deal in a world that's gone insane
    With the problems that I know we can stop
    From the ruler of the world and the man on top
    But the years went by, and time was up
    And the ruler of the world had ran out of luck
    And all the people at the time who said they were my friends
    Didn't know me when my job had come to an end
    They came up to my face, as happy as can be
    He was running his mouth like, Muhammad Ali
    So I shook his hand calmly as I headed to the door
    On my way to the ghetto to treat once more

    If I ruled the world
    I'd love all the girls, I love 'em love 'em baby!
    Black diamonds and pearls, ooh yeah yeah
    If I ruled the world, yeah
    If I ruled the world, if I ruled the world
    I'd love all the girls, I'd love 'em love 'em baby!
    Black diamonds and pearls, ooh yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah
    If I ruled the world, whoa yeah
    If I ruled the world, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
    Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah

    I'd love all the girls, you know I'd love 'em love 'em baby!
    Diamonds and pearls, ooh yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah
    If I ruled the world, yeah yeah yeah yeah baby baby
    If I ruled the world, if I ruled the world
    I'd love all the girls, yes you, you, you and you
    Black diamonds and pearls, where those diamonds, where those pearls?
    If I ruled the world
    If I ruled the world
    I'd love all the girls, I'd love 'em love 'em baby Writer/s: EMANUEL KIRIAKOU, EVAN BOGART, LINDY ROBBINS
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1986 {January 11th} Kurtis Blow performed "If I Ruled The World" on the ABC-TV Saturday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time "If I Ruled The World" was at position #20 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, two weeks later it would peak at #16 {for 2 weeks}...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.