The Final Countdown (song)
"The Final Countdown" | ||||
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Single by Europe | ||||
from the album The Final Countdown | ||||
B-side | "On Broken Wings" | |||
Released | ||||
Recorded | 1985 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Joey Tempest | |||
Producer(s) | Kevin Elson | |||
Europe singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"The Final Countdown" on YouTube | ||||
Audio sample | ||||
"The Final Countdown" |
"The Final Countdown" is a song by Swedish rock band Europe, released in 1986. Written by lead singer Joey Tempest, it was based on a keyboard riff he made in the early 1980s, with lyrics inspired by David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Originally made to just be a concert opener, it is the first single and title track from the band's third studio album. The music video by Nick Morris, made to promote the single, has received 1 billion views on YouTube. The video features footage from the band's two concerts at Solnahallen in Solna, as well as extra footage of the sound checks and footage from Stockholm. The song "Pictures", from the 2017 album Walk the Earth, is a sequel to "The Final Countdown".
Origin and recording
The song was based on a keyboard riff which Joey Tempest had written, as early as 1981 or 1982,[7] with a Korg Polysix keyboard which he had borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli.[8][9] In 1985, bassist John Levén suggested that Tempest should write a song based on that riff.[7] Tempest recorded a demo version of the song and played it for the other band members.[10] At first, the members expressed mixed reactions to it, including guitarist John Norum who was put off by the synth intro but later said that he was glad that they didn't listen to him.[11] Tempest described their uncertainty: "Some of the guys in the band thought it was too different for a rock band. But in the end, I fought hard to make sure it got used."[11]
The song's lyrics were inspired by David Bowie's song "Space Oddity".[11] The sound of the keyboard riff used in the recording was achieved by using a Yamaha TX-816 rack unit and a Roland JX-8P synthesizer,[12] as described by Michaeli: "I made a brassy sound from the JX-8P and used a factory sound from the Yamaha, and just layered them together."[12]
When it was time to choose the first single from the album The Final Countdown, Tempest suggested the song "The Final Countdown".[10] The band had not originally planned to release the song as a single, and some members wanted "Rock the Night" to be the first single.[10][11] "The Final Countdown" was written to be an opening song for concerts, and they never thought it would be a hit.[10] When their record company Epic Records suggested, however, that it should be the first single, the band decided to release it.[13]
As Tempest stated in 2005:
It's always a nice feeling. Sometimes, you hear it on the streets or someone has it on their mobile phone or something… it's a nice feeling! Actually, I did an interview about a year ago with a newspaper from America and they talked about how much it's been used in sports in America… which I didn't know so much about. Apparently, it has been used a lot and it was nice to hear. The ironic thing, though, is that the song was actually written for the fans. It was over six minutes long and was never meant to be a hit or anything like that. It was meant to be an opening for the 'live' show. We were putting out our third album and we wanted a really 'grand' opening for the show. So, I had that 'riff' tucked away in a drawer since my college years and I took it out, found a tempo for it, wrote lyrics, and it turned out to be a great opening for that album and for the show, as well. Nowadays, we don't rehearse it, but when we play it live, it is still just so amazing! It does communicate so well with the audience and we really love playing it.[14]
In 2009, Tempest told the BBC's Liam Allen, "I can trace bands like UFO in it, sort of a galloping theme like Iron Maiden had on The Number of the Beast album on quite a few songs. I wanted to make a combination of guitars and keyboards. That was a statement on that and it sort of worked out nicely."[15] It is set in the key of F♯ minor.[16]
Release and reception
"The Final Countdown" became a success on the charts worldwide following its release during 1986 and 1987, reaching number one in 25 countries (including the UK, where it spent two weeks at the top and is Europe's only Top 10 hit to date),[17] and is widely regarded as the band's most popular and recognizable song. The single reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and is the most successful song from the album on the Album Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 18 (and charting for 20 weeks).[18]
The song is also the band's highest-charting single in Australia and Canada, peaking at number 2 and at number 5.
Blender listed "The Final Countdown" as the 27th worst song ever,[19] and both VH1 and Blender included it at 16 on the list of the "Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever".[20] VH1 ranked it at number 66 on their list of the best hard rock songs of all time.[6]
Music video
The music video, directed by Nick Morris, contains footage from two concerts the band did at Solnahallen in Solna, Sweden on 26 and 27 May 1986, as well as some extra footage filmed at the sound checks for those concerts.[10]
Live performances
The song has been a regular in Europe concerts ever since its live debut on the premiere of their Final Countdown Tour in April 1986. One of the most memorable performances of the song took place in Stockholm, Sweden on 31 December 1999, as part of the Millennium celebrations, as it was the first, and to date only, Europe performance with both of the band's lead guitarists, the original guitarist John Norum and his replacement, Kee Marcello.[21][22]
Personnel
- Joey Tempest – lead vocals
- John Norum – guitar, backing vocals
- John Levén – bass
- Mic Michaeli – keyboards, backing vocals
- Ian Haugland – drums, backing vocals
Charts
The song reached number one in 25 countries,[17] including the United Kingdom, and was certified gold in that country in 1986.[23] In the United States, the song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[64] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[65] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[66] | Platinum | 1,000,000[66] |
Germany (BVMI)[67] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[68] sales since 2009 |
Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Japan (RIAJ)[69] 2003 digital release |
Gold | 100,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI)[70] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Portugal (AFP)[66] | Platinum | 60,000[66] |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[71] | Platinum | 20,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] Physical and digital combined sales |
Platinum | 600,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
The Final Countdown 2000
"The Final Countdown 2000" | ||||
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Single by Europe | ||||
from the album 1982–2000 | ||||
B-side | "The Final Countdown" (Original Radio Edit) | |||
Released | 7 December 1999[72] | |||
Length | 3:47 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Joey Tempest | |||
Producer(s) |
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Europe singles chronology | ||||
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In 1999, the dance remix "The Final Countdown 2000" was released. It was produced by Brian Rawling, who had previously had success with "Believe" by Cher. The band's reaction to the remix was less than enthusiastic. "That remix was a disaster", drummer Ian Haugland said, "I wouldn't pass water on it if it was on fire!"[73] In a 2013 interview with The National, Joey Tempest commented on the remix, saying, "The band were not happy with it. We were trying to get some other people to do the remix and it just didn't pan out, so it ended up becoming a last-minute thing."[74]
Chart positions
Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[72] | 33 |
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[75] | 12 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[76] | 35 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[77] | 60 |
Norway (VG-lista)[78] | 12 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[79] | 6 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] | 33 |
UK Singles (OCC)[80] | 36 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1999) | Position |
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Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[81] | 99 |
Industry Awards
YouTube Billion Views Award
Year | Nominee/Work | Award | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | The Final Countdown | Won | [82] |
Legacy
![]() | This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: covers may not meet WP:SONGCOVER. (October 2018) |
The song is a favourite at sporting events, often being played to rally crowds. It has also become a staple of high school and college pep bands for the same purpose.[14]
On 26 December 1987, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ΕΡΤ), used the song as the theme for the documentary "The Road to Glory" about EuroBasket 1987, which was won by the Greece national team. Since then, the song is considered by fans as the unofficial anthem of the team.[83]
On 2 October 1990, just a few hours before the German reunification, the English segment of international radio broadcaster of former East Germany RBI, played the intro of the song while the female radio announcer says: "Our broadcast came to you from Radio Berlin International, the voice of the disappearing German Democratic Republic".[84]
The song and band Europe appeared in a 2015 USA television commercial for GEICO insurance, playing in a lunchroom as a microwave oven's timer is counting down toward zero seconds, saying if you're Europe, "you love a final countdown: it's what you do."[45]
The song was used as entrance music for professional wrestler Bryan Danielson on the independent circuit and in Ring of Honor until September 2010, and again occasionally in All Elite Wrestling since 2023.[85]
Cover versions
"The Final Countdown" is a particular favourite of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, who incorporated elements of it into "Gone with the Wind", his 1999 reimagining of Lev Knipper's "Polyushko-polye".[86][87]
American husband-and-wife banjo-players Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn performed an interpretation of the song in May 2015 for The A.V. Club's A.V. Undercover series.[88] Time magazine called out the cover as "really, really lovely."[89]
See also
- List of Dutch Top 40 number-one singles of 1986
- List of European number-one hits of 1986
- List of number-one hits of 1986 (Germany)
- List of number-one hits of 1986 (Italy)
- List of number-one singles and albums in Sweden
- List of number-one singles of 1986 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles of 1986 (France)
- List of number-one singles of 1987 (Spain)
- List of number-one singles of the 1980s (Switzerland)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1980s
References
- ^ "FMQB" (PDF). p. 44.
- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 41.
- ^ Burgess, Mick (9 March 2015). "Review: Europe and Black Star Riders at the O2 Academy Newcastle". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ Sleazegrinder (4 December 2015). "The 20 Greatest Hair Metal Anthems of All Time". Louder. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Various Artists – 100 Hits: Total Rock". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ a b Winistorfer, Andrew (5 January 2009). "VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ a b 1982–1992 (CD booklet). Europe. Epic Records. 1993. EPC 473589-1.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Tengner, Anders; Michael Johansson (1987). Europe – den stora rockdrömmen (in Swedish). Wiken. ISBN 91-7024-408-1.
- ^ Europe (18 November 2005). Live from the Dark (DVD). Warner Bros. Entertainment.
- ^ a b c d e Europe (4 October 2006). The Final Countdown Tour 1986: Live in Sweden – 20th Anniversary Edition (DVD). Warner Bros. Entertainment.
- ^ a b c d Ling, Dave (January 2005). "Counting Down Again". Classic Rock. No. 75. pp. 60–67.
- ^ a b "Europe: This Is Definitely Not Their Final Countdown". MusicPlayers.com. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
- ^ Thompson, Erik (October–November 2005). "Hårdrockens Historia 1986". Sweden Rock Magazine. No. 31. p. 102.
- ^ a b Felix, David (14 April 2005). "Interview with Joey Tempest (Lead Vocals – Europe)". Rock Eyez. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
- ^ Allen, Liam (15 September 2009). "Talking Shop: Europe's Joey Tempest". BBC News Online. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "The Final Countdown by Europe – Digital Sheet Music". EMI Music Publishing. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2021 – via Musicnotes.com.
- ^ a b "Rock group Europe plan comeback". BBC News Online. 3 October 2003. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1989). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN 0-85112-389-9.
- ^ "The 50 Worst Songs Ever! Watch, Listen and Cringe!". Blender. 4 January 2009. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010.
- ^ Pugh, Clifford (21 April 2004). "Songs so so bad they're on a list all their own". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ^ "Issue 17: Marcello – Phil Ashcroft". Rathole. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009.
- ^ "Issue 18: Europe – Dave Cockett". Rathole. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007.
- ^ a b "British single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989, part 2". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0793." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 50. 13 December 1986. p. 56. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Final Countdown". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
- ^ "SINGOLI – I NUMERI UNO (1959-2006) (parte 3: 1980-1990)". It-charts.150m.com (in Italian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown". VG-lista. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (E)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Europe – The Final Countdown". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
- ^ a b "Europe – The Final Countdown". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 June 2008. Cite error: The named reference "sc_Switzerland_Europe" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Europe – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MARCH 28, 1987". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
- ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (22 October 2015). "Europe Enjoys First No. 1 on a Billboard Chart Thanks to GEICO Ad". Retrieved 26 August 2019.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help) - ^ "Europe Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 06.05.2023–12.05.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade 1986" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1986" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "European Hot 100 Singles: Hot 100 of the Year 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52. 27 December 1986. p. 28-29. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 4 October 2021 – via American Radio History.
- ^ "TOP – 1986". Top-france.fr (in French). Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1986". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986" (in German). Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "January to December 1986: Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 24.
- ^ "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade 1987" (in German). Austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. Library and Archives Canada. 26 December 1987. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ "European Charts of the Year 1987 > Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1987". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d "The European Best Sellers of 1987" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. pp. 43–46.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Europe; 'The Final Countdown')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 1 August 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "The Final Countdown" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 20 May 2021. Select 2018年4月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Europe – The Final Countdown" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 January 2021. Enter The Final Countdown in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "Spanish digital single certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 30 August 2022. Select Canciones under "Categoría", select 2008 under "Año". Select 52 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
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- ^ "Europe: Final Countdown 2000" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
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- ^ "Billion Awards". 22 September 2022.
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- 1986 singles
- 1986 songs
- 1999 singles
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- Epic Records singles
- Europe (band) songs
- European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- New Year songs
- Number-one singles in Austria
- Number-one singles in Finland
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in Italy
- Number-one singles in Poland
- Number-one singles in South Africa
- Number-one singles in Spain
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- SNEP Top Singles number-one singles
- Song recordings produced by Brian Rawling
- Songs about spaceflight
- Songs about parting
- Songs written by Joey Tempest
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles