Apocalypse Please

"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]

"Apocalypse Please"
Single by Muse
from the album Absolution
Released23 August 2004
Recorded2003 (2003) (album version)
27 June 2004 at Glastonbury Festival (single version)
Genre
Length4:12 (Album version)
4:34 (Album version with intro)
4:48 (Single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Muse (Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard)
Producer(s)Rich Costey
Muse singles chronology
"Sing for Absolution"
(2004)		 "Apocalypse Please"
(2004)		 "Butterflies and Hurricanes"
(2004)

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]

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 performance for "Apocalypse Please"
Chart (2004) Peak
position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[9] 10

References
  1. "Chris' Hand Injury, New Download Single". microcuts.net. 16 August 2004. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  2. "Westlife top first download chart". BBC. 1 September 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  3. "Apocalypse Please (song)". MuseWiki. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  4. "We feel sorry for bands being hyped". MuseWiki. 2 October 2003. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  5. "Rich Costey: Producer |". soundonsound.com. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  6. "Oxfam Download". microcuts.net. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  7. "Absolution Tour". Muse. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  8. "HAARP". Muse. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  9. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
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