7 Songs About the End of the World
The end of the world. It’s a concept that has captured human imagination for eons, spawning countless prophecies, myths, and, of course, fantastic music.
It’s a pretty heavy topic, right? Yet musicians, with their unique artistic touch, have managed to take this deep, often bleak, topic and transform it into epic ballads and soul-stirring melodies.
Songs about the end of the world never fail to make an impression.
So, let’s journey through some of the best tracks that touch upon this apocalyptic theme!
1. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – R.E.M.
Released in 1987, this song is an iconic track that is often played to celebrate, rather paradoxically, both the beginning and end of significant events.
While its upbeat tempo might sound deceptively cheerful, the lyrics touch upon political unrest, environmental concerns, and the potential downfall of humanity.
Trivia Time: Michael Stipe, the lead singer of R.E.M., once mentioned that the song was a nod to Bob Dylan’s stream-of-consciousness writing style.
2. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” – Bob Dylan
Speaking of Bob Dylan, this 1962 classic from his album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is an apocalyptic anthem in its own right.
With references to poisoned waters, dead oceans, and dark forests, Dylan paints a grim picture of a world on the brink of collapse.
Behind the Music: Dylan wrote this song during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It’s said to reflect the uncertainty and fear of those times, capturing the emotions of a generation that genuinely believed the end was near.
3. “Two Suns in the Sunset” – Pink Floyd
From their 1983 album “The Final Cut,” Pink Floyd gives us this hauntingly beautiful track.
The song describes a nuclear apocalypse, where the world is unexpectedly thrown into chaos, leaving behind only silence and desolation.
Deep Dive: The title “Two Suns in the Sunset” refers to the imagery of a setting sun and a nuclear explosion, symbolizing the abrupt and devastating end of the world.
4. “Five Years” – David Bowie
The opening track of Bowie’s 1972 album, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” this song delves into a world where Earth has only five years left before it meets its end.
Bowie’s raw emotion and the urgency in his voice make this song a gut-wrenching experience.
Fun Fact: The song was inspired by a dream Bowie had where his deceased father told him he must never fly again and would die in five years.
5. “The Final Countdown” – Europe
Arguably one of the most recognizable intros in rock music, this 1986 hit from Europe is all about leaving Earth and venturing into space, possibly because of some impending global catastrophe.
Did You Know? Though many perceive this track as an anthem of celebration, especially given its frequent use in sports events and New Year’s Eve countdowns, the song is genuinely more somber, touching on the uncertainty and sadness of leaving one’s home behind.
6. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
This 1969 hit, while having a rather upbeat rhythm, is filled with forewarnings of doom and gloom.
With lyrics mentioning hurricanes, lightning, rivers overflowing, and, of course, the titular “bad moon,” there’s a strong sense of something terrible on the horizon.
Behind the Lyrics: John Fogerty, the band’s lead vocalist, has said that the song was inspired by the film “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” in which a hurricane wipes out most of a town.
7. “99 Red Balloons” – Nena
This 1983 pop hit might sound cheerful, but its lyrics are anything but.
The song narrates a tale where 99 red balloons floating in the sky are mistaken for enemy threats, leading to a 99-year war and leaving behind a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
In the Know: The song, originally in German (“99 Luftballons”), was inspired by a bunch of balloons Nena saw released at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin, making her ponder the potential consequences if they floated over the Berlin Wall.
