Apocalypse Please

"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]

"Apocalypse Please"
Single by Muse
from the album Absolution
Released	23 August 2004
Recorded	2003 (2003) (album version) 27 June 2004 at Glastonbury Festival (single version)
Genre	New prog alternative rock art rock
Length	4:12 (Album version) 4:34 (Album version with intro) 4:48 (Single version)
Label	East West Taste
Composer(s)	Muse (Matt Bellamy, Chris Wolstenholme, Dominic Howard)
Lyricist(s)	Matt Bellamy
Producer(s)	Rich Costey Muse
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] 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 performance for "Apocalypse Please"

Chart (2004)	Peak position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[9]	10