Difference between revisions of "Apocalypse Please (song)"

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| Name = Apocalypse Please
| Name = Apocalypse Please
| Album = {{drop
| Album = {{drop
|[[Apocalypse Please (single)|Apocalypse Please]] <small>download (1)</small>
|[[Apocalypse Please (single)|Apocalypse Please]] <small>promo CD-R (1)</small>
|[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]] <small>(2)</small>
|[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]] <small>(2)</small>
|[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]] <small>promos (2)</small>
|[[Apocalypse Please (single) | Apocalypse Please]] <small>Digital (1)</small>
|[[Absolution Tour (DVD)|Absolution Tour]] <small>(5)</small>
|[[Absolution Tour (DVD) | Absolution Tour]] <small>(5)</small>
|[[H.A.A.R.P. (album)|H.A.A.R.P.]] <small>DVD (8)</small>
|[[H.A.A.R.P. (live) | H.A.A.R.P.]] <small>DVD (8), iTunes Pre-Order (23)</small>
}}
}}
| Length = 4:12
| Length = 4:12
| AltTitles = Emergency  
| AltTitles =  
| First = [[Moscow Krylatskoye Sports Complex 2002 (gig)|26th May 2002]]<ref name="ml20080424">
{{drop
{{cite |
|Emergency
  title=Stunt Festival, Moscow, Russia 2002 | desc=Muselive forum post | date=2008-03-24 | auth=Tene | url=http://muselive.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=22654 | dom=muselive.com | type=ext
|New Piano
}}
| First = [[Moscow Krylatskoye Sports Complex 2002 (gig) | 26{{supo|th}} May 2002]]<ref name="ml20080424">
{{cite/web |
  title=Stunt Festival, Moscow, Russia 2002 | desc=Muselive forum post | date=2008-03-24 | auth=Tene | url=http://www.muselive.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=22654 | dom=www.muselive.com | type=ext
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
| Latest = [[Buenos Aires Teatro Gran Rex 2008 - 24th (gig)|24th July 2008]]
| Latest = [[London O2 Arena 2023 - 1st (gig)|1{{supo|st}} October 2023]]
| Recorded = 2003
| Recorded = [[Grouse Lodge Residential Recording Studios|Grouse Lodge]] and [[Air Studios|AIR Studios]] 2003
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Producer = [[Rich Costey]]<ref>[[Absolution (album)|Absolution notes]]</ref>
| Producer = [[Rich Costey]]<ref>[[Absolution (album) | Absolution notes]]</ref>
| Chart position = 10 <small>(UK Download)</small><ref name="bbc20040901">
| Chart position = 10 <small>(UK Download)</small><ref name="bbc20040901">
{{cite |
{{cite/web |
  title=Westlife top first download chart | desc=BBC news article | date=2004-09-01 | pub=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3617020.stm | dom=bbc.co.uk | type=ext
  title=Westlife top first download chart | desc=BBC news article | date=2004-09-01 | pub=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3617020.stm | dom=bbc.co.uk | type=ext
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
}}
}}


<flashmp3>http://www.musewiki.org/images/ApocalypsePlease60.mp3|rightbg=0xDDEEFF|leftbg=0xDDEEFF|bg=0xFFFFFF</flashmp3>
{{AlbumNav
{{AlbumNav |
| Previous = [[Intro (song) | Intro]]
| Previous song = [[Intro (song)|Intro]]
| Current = Apocalypse Please
| Current song = Apocalypse Please
| Next = [[Time Is Running Out (song) | Time Is Running Out]]
| Next song = [[Time Is Running Out (song)|Time Is Running Out]]
}}
<br>
{{AlbumNav2
| Previous = [[Hullabaloo (album) | Hullabaloo ''(2002)'']]
| Current = [[Absolution (album) | Absolution ''(2003)'']]
| Next = [[Black Holes and Revelations (album) | Black Holes and Revelations ''(2006)'']]
}}
}}


==Description==
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCr36u4i_7E Listen]'''
The opener to ''[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]]''. It is built up with many layers of instruments, bass, synthesizers and a loud piano.


==Additional information==
== Description ==
The song is from the "point of view of a person that is wanting their own god to come in and sort everything out"<ref name="AbsolutionEPK">Absolution EPK</ref> or "religious fanatics and their wish that their prophecies come true. So that they can confirm their religion."<ref>{{cite/laut20031002}}</ref> A live version of "Apocalypse Please", recorded at [[Pilton Worthy Farm 2004 (gig)|Glastonbury in 2004]], was [[Apocalypse Please (single)|released as a single]] in the form of a charity download (and an accompanying promo),<ref name="mc20040825">
The opener to ''[[Absolution (album) | Absolution]]''.  It is built up with many layers of instruments, bass, synthesizers and a loud piano.
{{cite |
 
== Additional information ==
The song is from the "point of view of a person that is wanting their own god to come in and sort everything out"<ref name="AbsolutionEPK">Absolution EPK</ref> or "religious fanatics and their wish that their prophecies come true. So that they can confirm their religion."<ref>{{cite/laut20031002}}</ref> A live version of "Apocalypse Please", recorded at [[Pilton Worthy Farm 2004 (gig) | Glastonbury in 2004]], was [[Apocalypse Please (single) | released as a single]] in the form of a charity download (and an accompanying promo),<ref name="mc20040825">
{{cite/web |
  title=Oxfam Download | desc=MicroCuts news item | date=2004-08-25 | pub=MicroCuts | url=http://microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/08252004-oxfam_download.php | dom=microcuts.net | type=ext
  title=Oxfam Download | desc=MicroCuts news item | date=2004-08-25 | pub=MicroCuts | url=http://microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/08252004-oxfam_download.php | dom=microcuts.net | type=ext
}}</ref> making it the fifth and penultimate single from ''[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]]''.
}}</ref> making it the fifth and penultimate single from ''[[Absolution (album) | Absolution]]''.
 
==Recording==
"Apocalypse Please" was originally recorded with with an orchestral backing. Bellamy detailed why this version did not make the album:
:"We struggled with Apocalypse Please; it sounded weak with the strings on it, whereas the other songs sounded really good. We knew :that we'd have to re-record Apocalypse Please. We then went to work with [[Rich Costey]].


== Recording ==
[[File:AbsolutionApocalypseDrums.jpg | thumb | right | Howard in the pool]]
"Apocalypse Please" was originally recorded with with an orchestral backing.  [[Matthew Bellamy]] detailed why this version did not make the album:
:"We struggled with Apocalypse Please; it sounded weak with the strings on it, whereas the other songs sounded really good.  We knew that we'd have to re-record Apocalypse Please.  We then went to work with [[Rich Costey]].
:That one originally was the one which had the big orchestra on it, but we ended up taking it away because it was too much".<ref name="AbsolutionEPK"/>
:That one originally was the one which had the big orchestra on it, but we ended up taking it away because it was too much".<ref name="AbsolutionEPK"/>


Rich Costey detailed the recording of the drums in December 2003:
Rich Costey detailed the recording of the drums in December 2003:
:"...the studio had a swimming pool, which of course was full of water, and what we did was bring over a couple of kick drums, put :them on stands, and miked one of them really close with the disembodied woofer of an NS10 to get a low, thumping sound, while a :few C12 ambient mics were placed in the swimming pool area. We also had to bring mic pres into the pool area for all the same :reasons, and Wally and I set things up so that Dominic could actually stand in the water while he was playing, just because it :looked really good."<ref name="sos">{{cite/soundonsound200312}}</ref>
:"...the studio had a swimming pool, which of course was full of water, and what we did was bring over a couple of kick drums, put them on stands, and miked one of them really close with the disembodied woofer of an NS10 to get a low, thumping sound, while a few C12 ambient mics were placed in the swimming pool area. We also had to bring mic pres into the pool area for all the same reasons, and Wally and I set things up so that Dominic could actually stand in the water while he was playing, just because it looked really good."<ref name="sos">{{cite/soundonsound200312}}</ref>


As well as recording in a swimming pool "hot-tub overdubs" were recorded through bubbling water, and submerging cymbals, but these were ultimately unused in the song.<ref name="sos"/>
As well as recording in a swimming pool "hot-tub overdubs" were recorded through bubbling water, and submerging cymbals, but these ultimately were unused in the song.<ref name="sos"/>


==Live==
== Live ==
The first time "Apocalypse Please" was played live, at the Stunt Festival in Moscow on the 26th May 2002, Bellamy played the outro in the middle as well as at the end.<ref name="ml20080424"/> It was played at most ''[[Absolution (album)|Absolution]]'' tour gigs and has continued to make appearances on set lists during the ''[[Black Holes and Revelations (album)|Black Holes and Revelations]]'' tour.
The first time "Apocalypse Please" was played live, at the Stunt Festival in Moscow on the 26{{supo|th}} May 2002, Bellamy played the outro in the middle as well as at the end.<ref name="ml20080424"/> It was played at most ''[[Absolution (album) | Absolution]]'' tour gigs and continued to make appearances on set lists during the ''[[Black Holes and Revelations (album) | Black Holes and Revelations]]'' tour.


==Lyrics==
In late April 2015, it was revealed in an interview that the band were rehearsing this and [[The Small Print (song)|The Small Print]] for the upcoming tour. It was indeed played for the first time in almost 8 years, at [[New York City Webster Hall 2015 (gig) | Webster Hall]], in New York on May 8th, 2015. The song is now played regularly since, after skipping the The Resistance and The 2nd Law tours.
<pre>Declare this an emergency
 
[[Apocalypse Please (live) | More here]]
 
== Lyrics ==
{{lyrics
|Declare this an emergency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
And pull us through
And pull us through
Line 84: Line 98:
The end
The end
This is the end
This is the end
Of the world</pre>
Of the world
}}


===Early version===
=== Early version ===
<pre>Declare this an emergency
{{lyrics
|Declare this an emergency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
To pull us through
To pull us through
Line 93: Line 109:


And this is the end
And this is the end
The end
The end of the world
This is the end
Of the World


It's time we saw a miracle
It's time we saw a miracle
Line 103: Line 117:


And this is the end
And this is the end
The end  
The end of the world
This is the end
Of the World


Declare this an emergency
It's time for an emergency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
Come on and spread the sense of urgency
To pull us through
To pull us through
And pull us through
And pull us through


And this is the end
And this is the end of all
The end
Of the world
This is the end
}}
Of the world</pre>
<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM2SJQ2UJQk</ref>


==References==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[Track catalogue A-H#Apocalypse Please|Track catalogue entry]]
* [[Track catalogue A-H#Apocalypse Please | Track catalogue entry]]


{{Backto|Absolution (album)|Absolution}}
{{Backto | Absolution (album) | Absolution}}

Latest revision as of 23:41, 2 October 2023

Muse song
Name Apocalypse Please
Album/single
Length 4:12
Alternative titles
  • Emergency »
  • New Piano
First live performance 26th May 2002[1]
Latest live performance 1st October 2023
Recorded Grouse Lodge and AIR Studios 2003
Writer/composer Matthew Bellamy
Producer Rich Costey[2]
Chart position 10 (UK Download)[3]


Listen

Description

The opener to Absolution. It is built up with many layers of instruments, bass, synthesizers and a loud piano.

Additional information

The song is from the "point of view of a person that is wanting their own god to come in and sort everything out"[4] or "religious fanatics and their wish that their prophecies come true. So that they can confirm their religion."[5] A live version of "Apocalypse Please", recorded at Glastonbury in 2004, was released as a single in the form of a charity download (and an accompanying promo),[6] making it the fifth and penultimate single from Absolution.

Recording

Howard in the pool

"Apocalypse Please" was originally recorded with with an orchestral backing. Matthew Bellamy detailed why this version did not make the album:

"We struggled with Apocalypse Please; it sounded weak with the strings on it, whereas the other songs sounded really good. We knew that we'd have to re-record Apocalypse Please. We then went to work with Rich Costey.
That one originally was the one which had the big orchestra on it, but we ended up taking it away because it was too much".[4]

Rich Costey detailed the recording of the drums in December 2003:

"...the studio had a swimming pool, which of course was full of water, and what we did was bring over a couple of kick drums, put them on stands, and miked one of them really close with the disembodied woofer of an NS10 to get a low, thumping sound, while a few C12 ambient mics were placed in the swimming pool area. We also had to bring mic pres into the pool area for all the same reasons, and Wally and I set things up so that Dominic could actually stand in the water while he was playing, just because it looked really good."[7]

As well as recording in a swimming pool "hot-tub overdubs" were recorded through bubbling water, and submerging cymbals, but these ultimately were unused in the song.[7]

Live

The first time "Apocalypse Please" was played live, at the Stunt Festival in Moscow on the 26th May 2002, Bellamy played the outro in the middle as well as at the end.[1] It was played at most Absolution tour gigs and continued to make appearances on set lists during the Black Holes and Revelations tour.

In late April 2015, it was revealed in an interview that the band were rehearsing this and The Small Print for the upcoming tour. It was indeed played for the first time in almost 8 years, at Webster Hall, in New York on May 8th, 2015. The song is now played regularly since, after skipping the The Resistance and The 2nd Law tours.

More here

Lyrics

Declare this an emergency

Come on and spread a sense of urgency And pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end The end This is the end Of the world

And it's time we saw a miracle Come on it's time for something biblical To pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end The end This is the end Of the world

Proclaim eternal victory Come on and change the course of history And pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end The end This is the end Of the world

Early version

Declare this an emergency

Come on and spread a sense of urgency To pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end The end of the world

It's time we saw a miracle Come on it's time for something biblical To pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end The end of the world

It's time for an emergency Come on and spread the sense of urgency To pull us through And pull us through

And this is the end of all Of the world

[8]

References

  1. ↑ a b Tene. (2008-03-24). Stunt Festival, Moscow, Russia 2002. Retrieved from www.muselive.com.
  2. ↑ Absolution notes
  3. ↑ Westlife top first download chart (2004-09-01). BBC. Retrieved from bbc.co.uk.
  4. ↑ a b Absolution EPK
  5. ↑ We feel sorry for bands being hyped (2003-10-02). Laut. Retrieved 2007-05-01 from laut.de. [verify]
  6. ↑ Oxfam Download (2004-08-25). MicroCuts. Retrieved from microcuts.net.
  7. ↑ a b Richard Buskin. (2003-12). Rich Costey: Recording Muse's Absolution. Sound on Sound website. Retrieved 2006-11-04 from www.soundonsound.com. [verify]
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM2SJQ2UJQk

See also


Go back to Absolution

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