| Apocalypse Please | |
| Cover: | Muse - Apocalypse Please.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Muse |
| Album: | Absolution |
| Released: | 23 August 2004 |
| Length: | 4:12 (Album version) 4:34 (Album version with intro) 4:48 (Single version) |
| Composer: | Muse (Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard) |
| Lyricist: | Matt Bellamy |
| Prev Title: | Sing for Absolution |
| Prev Year: | 2004 |
| Next Title: | Butterflies and Hurricanes |
| Next Year: | 2004 |
"Apocalypse Please" is a song by English rock band Muse, featured on their third studio album, Absolution (2003). A live version of the song was released as a download single on 23 August 2004, from which approximately 70% of all proceeds were donated to Oxfam.[1] The song reached number ten on the first edition of the UK Official Download Chart, announced on 1 September 2004.[2]
"Apocalypse Please" was originally recorded with an orchestral backing, which was removed simply for being, according to Bellamy, "too much."[3] Drummer Dominic Howard described the song as "a very theatrical song about religious fanatics and their wish that their prophecies come true [...] So that they can confirm their religion."[4]
Producer Rich Costey said he wanted the toms on "Apocalypse Please" to sound as "ridiculous and as epic as possible".[5] He had Howard play a pair of close-miked kick drums "to get a low, thumping sound". The song also features additional drumming by bassist Chris Wolstenholme.[6]
Along with the single release, Muse ran a competition to win a signed and framed set list, also in conjunction with Oxfam.[7] In 2005, "Apocalypse Please" was featured on the live video album Absolution Tour;[8] in 2008, it was also featured on the DVD edition of the live album HAARP.[9]
