"Apocalypse Please" is a song by English
rock band
Muse
In ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology, mythology, the Muses (, ) were the Artistic inspiration, inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric p ...
, featured on their third studio album, ''
Absolution
Absolution is a theological term for the forgiveness imparted by ordained Priest#Christianity, Christian priests and experienced by Penance#Christianity, Christian penitents. It is a universal feature of the historic churches of Christendom, alth ...
'' (2003). A live version of the song was released as a
download
In computer networks, download means to ''receive'' data from a remote system, typically a server such as a web server, an FTP server, an email server, or other similar systems. This contrasts with uploading, where data is ''sent to'' a remote ...
single on 23 August 2004, from which approximately 70% of all proceeds were donated to
Oxfam. The song reached number ten on the first edition of the
UK Official Download Chart, announced on 1 September 2004.
Background
"Apocalypse Please" was originally recorded with an
orchestra
An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments:
* String instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, ...
l backing, which was removed simply for being, according to Bellamy, "too much."
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."
Producer
Rich Costey said he wanted the
toms on "Apocalypse Please" to sound as "ridiculous and as epic as possible".
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.
Release
Along with the single release, Muse ran a competition to win a signed and framed
set list, also in conjunction with Oxfam. In 2005, "Apocalypse Please" was featured on the
live video album ''
Absolution Tour''; in 2008, it was also featured on the DVD edition of the live album ''
HAARP''.
Charts
References
External links
"Apocalypse Please" (audio)at th
Muse official website"Apocalypse Please" (''Absolution Tour'' video)
at th
Muse official website"Apocalypse Please" (''HAARP'' video)
at th
Muse official website"Apocalypse Please" lyrics
at th
Muse official website
{{Muse
Muse (band) songs
2004 singles
Songs written by Matt Bellamy
Song recordings produced by Rich Costey
2003 songs
East West Records singles
Songs written by Chris Wolstenholme
Songs written by Dominic Howard