So, I’ve been thinking about apocalypses, Armaggedon, the end of times, whatever you wish to call it, and I have been pondering the perfect playlist. That’s if we got the chance to play one. Worst case scenario, we might all go up in a magnificent fireball in the sky and be instantly evaporated. On a lesser scale, satellites could be disrupted, and all communication lines including the internet could just stop working. In such a scenario you would have to improvise and adapt if you were to enjoy your playlist and belt out some tunes acapella or find a couple of wooden serving spoons and an upside-down wastebin to create a beat – whatever works for you! Either way, I’d much rather take my mind off impending doom and enjoy some music, just like the orchestra did in the Titanic, playing beautifully until the very end when the last remains of the crew and ships slip under the surface of the icy cold, dark and turbulent waters, swallowing them whole.
I’m not sure how many tunes I would have time for. End times could last years, decades, or a century or two! To be on the safe side, I’d pad out my playlist so I wasn’t stuck twiddling my thumbs between hunting for food and hiding from bandits.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
The final countdown – Europe
Skyfall – Adele
The world is not enough – Garbage
Who wants to live forever – Queen
Time to say goodbye – Sarah Brightman and Andrea Boticelli
My generation – The Who
Salt Water – Julian Lennon
A Perfect Day – Lou Reed
Dancing with tears in my eyes – Ultravox
Angel – Ralf Fridge
Ten’s not a bad start. This would work for a megamix that builds over 20-30 minutes. For longer enduring apocalypses, I’d need to think on this topic more deeply as you’d need to raise moral and motivate your tribes.
So, over to you! What would be your top 3?
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything – Plato
Music happens to be an art form that transcends language. – Herbie Hancock
Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman. – Beethoven
