Apocalypse Please Explained

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]

Background

"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]

Release

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Chris' Hand Injury, New Download Single . microcuts.net . 16 August 2004 . 17 September 2009 . 14 February 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090214044012/http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/08162004-chris_hand_injury_new_download_single.php . dead .
  2. News: Westlife top first download chart . . 1 September 2004 . 17 September 2009 .
  3. Muse: Making of Absolution (Official Documentary) . . 2003 . DVD.
  4. Web site: We feel sorry for bands being hyped . MuseWiki . 2 October 2003 . 17 September 2009 .
  5. Web site: Rich Costey: Producer . soundonsound.com. en-gb. 2018-10-21.
  6. Muse: Making of Absolution (Official Documentary) . . 2003 . DVD.
  7. News: Oxfam Download . microcuts.net . 25 August 2004 . 17 September 2009 .
  8. Web site: Absolution Tour . . 17 September 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090803123239/http://muse.mu/discography/dvds/42/absolution-tour/ . 3 August 2009 .
  9. Web site: HAARP . . 17 September 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090803012629/http://muse.mu/discography/albums/4/haarp/ . 3 August 2009 .