Apocalypse Please
| "Apocalypse Please" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Muse | ||||
| from the album Absolution | ||||
| Released | 23 August 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2003 (album version) 27 June 2004 at Glastonbury Festival (single version) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:12 (Album version) 4:34 (Album version with intro) 4:48 (Single version) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Composer(s) | Muse (Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard) | |||
| Lyricist(s) | Matt Bellamy | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Muse singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Apocalypse Please" is a song by English alternative 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[edit]
"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".[5] The song also features additional drumming by bassist Chris Wolstenholme.[3]
Release[edit]
Along with the single release, Muse ran a competition to win a signed and framed set list, also in conjunction with Oxfam.[6] In 2005, "Apocalypse Please" was featured on the live video album Absolution Tour;[7] in 2008, it was also featured on the DVD edition of the live album HAARP.[8]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[9] | 10 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Chris' Hand Injury, New Download Single". microcuts.net. 16 August 2004. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ "Westlife top first download chart". BBC. 1 September 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ a b Muse: Making of Absolution (Official Documentary) (DVD). Muse. 2003.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "We feel sorry for bands being hyped". MuseWiki. 2 October 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ a b "Rich Costey: Producer |". soundonsound.com. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "Oxfam Download". microcuts.net. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ "Absolution Tour". Muse. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ "HAARP". Muse. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
External links[edit]
- "Apocalypse Please" (audio)[permanent dead link] at the Muse official website
- "Apocalypse Please" (Absolution Tour video)[permanent dead link] at the Muse official website
- "Apocalypse Please" (HAARP video)[permanent dead link] at the Muse official website
- "Apocalypse Please" lyrics at the Muse official website
