The Final Countdown (song)
"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 Originally made to just be a concert opener, it is the first single and title track from the band's third studio album.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".
"The Final Countdown"
Release and reception[edit]
"The Final Countdown" became an instant success on the charts worldwide upon its release, 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),[16] 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).[17]
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,[18] and both VH1 and Blender included it at 16 on the list of the "Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever".[19] VH1 ranked it at number 66 on their list of the best hard rock songs of all time.[5]
Music video[edit]
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.[9]
Live performances[edit]
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.[20][21]
"The Final Countdown 2000"
"The Final Countdown" (Original Radio Edit)
7 December 1999[70]
3:47
Joey Tempest
- Brian Rawling
- Gary Miller