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Music Monday: Apocalypse Songs

by Scott Lydon

Happy Music Monday! Around this time of year, everyone begins to think of only one thing: the end of the world. What? Are WE the only ones who do that? Anyway, Scott's put together the usual five-song playlist and picked out some enjoyable end-of-the-world songs that you might want to close out your existence with. Here's the first one… IF THERE'S TIME!!!

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes - Annihilation Mix

 

You have to hand it to the British, nothing America ever produced could be as simultaneously chilling and helpful as the words "Mine is the last voice you will ever hear." Add in that beautiful synth-bass and you've got a track that prepares you to dance, right up until the bombs land. Bonus: I think that might be Rimmer from Red Dwarf doing the Reagan voice!

See you after the jump. Jump like your life depends on it!

Now, don't feel that all apocalypses have to be global. One can be doomed on a local scale too.

Billy Joel - Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)

 

When Billy Joel did this song, New York had pretty much been abandoned by the government. There was unemployment, crime, and Escape From New York didn't seem implausible. And yet, it was still considered to be a heart of music and entertainment, and there were still people who just wouldn't leave. Billy Joel's tribute to the last days of the Empire State wasn't just about saying good-bye, though, because it was partially a reminder. Even when things end, they're never totally gone.

Skeeter Davis - End Of The World

 

Hey, the end is the end. And when a love affair is over, not even a bomb shelter will help you escape from the pain. If that's not an apocalypse, what is?

Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around

 

Johnny Cash went out a dark and sinister figure, which is no mean feat from a guy who once recorded a song like this. But this story of the Biblical end of the world is pretty powerful in its simplicity. It's no wonder that Johnny Cash is as famous now as he was when he was alive.

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hell

 

Naturally, when the world ends, there's only one place left for most of us. But, hey, at least all the coolest people will be there too, right? Maybe one can take some comfort from that as the eternal fires of damnation lap at one's delicate toes.

Before it's all over, throw your own end of the world songs into the comments, then hit up our Turntable.fm room and the regular Music Monday enjoyment. Also, let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use.