According to some the world will come to an end at 6.00pm GMT today Saturday 21st May 2010.
This morning got me thinking about songs that reflect the end of the world. The following list is by no means a definitive one. These are just songs that I happen to like. And although I have used the traditional top 10 format, there is no real order. No reflection of popularity or record sales. Although I will say that the number 1 is my favourite.
So in the time honoured reverse order...
10. A Hard Rain is a-Gonna Fall - Pete Seeger - written by B Dylan.
Dylan captured the concerns of possible nuclear armageddon and general global woe in this great and classic 60s protest song. A bleak political poem that we could still do with heeding. I pick the Seegar version because it wasn't until I saw him perform the song live in a documentary about folk music in the late 70s that I realised that Roxy Music weren't the original artists. oh the ignorance of youth.
9. Here Comes The Flood - Peter Gabriel
Nuclear armageddon plain and simple. Taken from the former Genesis frontman's long awaited first solo album. It is a dark tale of post nuclear attack misery. "as the nail sank in the cloud, the rain was warm and soaked the crowd". Great imagery from Gabriel including the equally gloomy chorus:
"Lord, here comes the flood
We'll say goodbye to flesh and blood
If again the seas are silent
and any still alive
It'll be those who gave their island to survive
Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry."
8.The End - The Doors
A no-holds-barred tale of things not just ending but not ending pretty. Superbly chosen to feature in Francis Ford Coppola's nearly ill-fated 'Apocalypse Now'. Not a great fan of The Doors myself but this track is great.
7. Rapture - Blondie
An ever-so-slightly more upbeat tune to go screaming into oblivion to. But if I am honest, I have to say I haven't a clue what Harry is gibbering on about. This song is only in there because of the 'Rapture' reference. Still, it got me on the dance floor anytime it was played.
6. Two Tribes - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Reagan's and Gorbachev's political posturing and chest beating led to this fun-packed pop anthem. Back in the days when there was still a cold war on.
5. 1999 - Prince
Written before anyone knew what a millennium bug was. Prince as usual in dancing mood. Prince's dark but 'what the hell' shrug to global catastrophe. Lets face it, if we're all gonna die then let's die partying.
4. The Downward Spiral - NIne Inch Nails
oh dear. Sorry about that. The dancing is over. This is about as bleak as you can get. You could receive news of a multi-million pound jackpot win and still be depressed by this..er...tune.
3. The Eve of Destruction - Barry McGuire
Yes, back to the 60s. So it's another protest song. Again a no-holds-barred onslaught on humankind's obsession with killing itself mainly by using the weapons of its choice - bigotry, guns and missiles.
2. The End Of The World As We Know It - REM
According to Michael Stipe it starts with an earthquake. We have been hearing a lot about them lately haven't we? Earthquakes that is. Less so about REM.
1. When Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash
Genius. A roller-coaster ride through Old Testament imagery. One of the finest performers of his generation and country music legend Cash plunders his gospel-ridden childhood and his own religious fervour in this stirring but dark anthem.
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