Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Val Kilmer
I am an enormous fan of Val Kilmer. He passed away recently. Man, that hit me. It hit me like the day that Robin Williams died as well.
Both of those people were brilliant at what they did, and I never knew them as a person, and yet, I cried when they passed from this Earth.
This song ironically, is a Tears for Fears song. I first heard it in a Val Kilmer movie called REAL GENIUS. I have watched that movie more times than I can ever express in words. It's so damn clever and funny. Val was brilliant in it.
He was brilliant portraying Mark Twain in a one man live show, just as Samuel Langhorne Clemens did in real life: our first American Standup Comedian (Mark Twain). Val was brilliant as Doc Holliday. He was brilliant at most things he did.
This song? It reminds me of him. It was what was playing on the ending credits of REAL GENIUS.
It feels true now in 2025 as well. A lot of people want to rule this world. Val Kilmer didn't. Nor do I. Nor did Mark Twain. A lot of people don't want to.
I would prefer for us all to just get along. When can we collectively decide to do that? It starts with the individual, so I do my best to do my part in getting along with folks, while also not being a pushover.
This is for you Val. May you rest in peace, and maybe I'll see you again in the next life.
WHO IS MIKE VITALE?
I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify: