Apocalypse Please
2004 single by Muse
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"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]
27 June 2004 at Glastonbury Festival (single version)
4:34 (Album version with intro)
4:48 (Single version)
| "Apocalypse Please" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 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 | ||||
| Composers | Muse (Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard) | |||
| Lyricist | Matt Bellamy | |||
| Producers |
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| Muse singles chronology | ||||
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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".[5] The song also features additional drumming by bassist Chris Wolstenholme.[3]
Release
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
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[9] | 10 |