Best apocalyptic songs?
10-02-13, 12:23 PM
#1
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
Best apocalyptic songs?
I'm making a playlist about the end of the world, societal collapse and personal endtimes (for fun!) and need to gather songs. I want it to be appropriately doom-laden and serious, not jokey or silly. Not looking for Slayer-esque angry/violent visions, just genuine / honest reflections of potential implications of the end of the world. Sometimes quiet or even bouncy / poppy songs are more effective.
I found this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apocalyptic_songs
and some of my favorites are:
"8½ Minutes" by The Dismemberment Plan
"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan (not necessarily apocalyptic, but somehow fits)
"Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
"Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads (I get it's an allegory)
"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake
...the rest is kind of weak.
I'll add:
"When the man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash
"All Going out Together" by Big Dipper
"Good Morning Captain" by Slint
"Vaka" by Sigur Ros
"We Will Become Silhouettes" by The Postal Service
Other ideas?
/no obvious "End of the World as We Know it" or "Don't Fear the Reaper", please.
I found this list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apocalyptic_songs
and some of my favorites are:
"8½ Minutes" by The Dismemberment Plan
"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan (not necessarily apocalyptic, but somehow fits)
"Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
"Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads (I get it's an allegory)
"Pink Moon" by Nick Drake
...the rest is kind of weak.
I'll add:
"When the man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash
"All Going out Together" by Big Dipper
"Good Morning Captain" by Slint
"Vaka" by Sigur Ros
"We Will Become Silhouettes" by The Postal Service
Other ideas?
/no obvious "End of the World as We Know it" or "Don't Fear the Reaper", please.
10-02-13, 12:51 PM
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
Gimme Shelter was the first thing that I thought of.
Today Your Love,Tomorrow the World-Ramones
London Calling-Clash
Search and Destroy-Stooges
Loose-Stooges
Today Your Love,Tomorrow the World-Ramones
London Calling-Clash
Search and Destroy-Stooges
Loose-Stooges
10-02-13, 01:02 PM
#5
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Thread Starter
10-02-13, 01:23 PM
#7
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
Incredible song, I believe it's a tribute to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner
But anyone who hasn't heard it deserves to. One of the most raw songs I've ever heard:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Bj1AZHoBCss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
But anyone who hasn't heard it deserves to. One of the most raw songs I've ever heard:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Bj1AZHoBCss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited by atrium; 10-02-13 at 01:28 PM.
10-02-13, 05:06 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
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10-02-13, 05:48 PM
#11
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Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
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10-02-13, 07:37 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
I can't believe no one has posted:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ntLsElbW9Xo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ntLsElbW9Xo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
10-02-13, 08:17 PM
#13
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
Four Horsemen-Metallica
10-03-13, 04:03 AM
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10-03-13, 10:54 AM
#17
Moderator
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
What about the "Weird Al" Yankovic classic, Christmas at Ground Zero, folks? 
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t039p6xqutU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t039p6xqutU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
10-03-13, 11:44 AM
#21
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
I don't know if it's traditionally thought of that way, but I've always though of Dylan's surreal "Desolation Row" as having an apocalyptic sound to it. I think there's a great 12-minute metal cover version to be made somewhere. Come on, Dream Theater! I'll second "London Calling" too. It never gets old.
10-03-13, 12:35 PM
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Best apocalyptic songs?
Iron Maiden - Two Minutes To Midnight
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10-03-13, 08:38 PM
#25
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