OurStage's End Of The World Playlist; Songs For The Apocalypse

posted in: FeaturesReviews & Playlists

Well, it’s about that time. Since the early 2000s, we’ve been hearing hushed whispers about the end of the Mayan calendar on Dec. 21, 2012, and its supposed correlation with the end of days.

Although this date signifies the winter solstice, and NASA has assured us that all is well in outer space, it got us thinking. And you know what happens when we start thinking. We’ve gotta have tunes.

So without further adieu, here is our very own, one of a kind, end of the world playlist by the OurStage staff. Check it out right here and find the track list after the jump.

Scott N, OurStage Marketing

“Mad World” –Michael Andrews/Gary Jules version

“Alive” –Pearl Jam

Angela, OurStage Editorial

“Space Oddity” –David Bowie
“Planet Earth is blue, and there’s nothing I can do….”

“Miserabile Visu (Ex Malo Bonum)” –Anberlin
This song just sounds like the world crumbling around you. In a beautiful way, of course.

Greg, OurStage Community

“The Golden Age” –Beck

“Falling From The Sky: Day Seven” –Norma Jean

“Are You Ready To Die” –Cary Ann Hearst
A cheery sounding doo-wop song, which is what makes it even more messed up.

Special mention:
“First Of The Year (Equinox)” –Skrillex
Hear me out on this one. I’m convinced dubstep is truly the sound of the apocalypse (robot apocalypse, perhaps). This particular Skrillex song really nails it with the screaming crowd in the background, the general vibe of the song, and the “CALL 911!” – super creepy, and sounds like the world falling apart.

Andy, OurStage A/V Producer

“Preaching the End of the World” –Chris Cornell

“He’s ‘seeking a friend / for the end / of the world.’ Maybe the lyric inspired the title of the Steve Carrell movie?”

“Livin’ on the Edge” –Aerosmith
A bit of optimism in the face of chaos and doom – “We could tell ’em no, or we could let it go, but I would rather be a-hangin’ on.”

“The End” –The Doors
Hey, it worked for Apocalypse Now.

“Skyfall” –Adele
Sure, it’s a James Bond theme, but it’s definitely about facing the end – “Let the sky fall, when it crumbles / We will stand tall / And face it all together.”

“We’re All Gonna Die”-Mieka Pauley

Elizabeth, OurStage Community

“Road to Nowhere” –Talking Heads

Mikel, OurStage Community

“Here, In Heaven 2” –Elite Gymnastics

Bob, OurStage Developer

“The Future” –Leonard Cohen

Jonathan, OurStage Web Engineer

“1999” –Prince

“Gettin’ Down on the Mountain” –Corb Lund
I’m not really into country, but this song (and the album it is on) really caught me off guard… in a good way. It’s quite apocalyptic. It’s a “break down of civilization” kind of song, set in a time when paper money no longer has any value, and you are a lot better off if you know how to gut a fish, dig a a well, and have plenty of ammo around.

Scott J, OurStage Community

“London Calling” –The Clash
Even without the apocalyptic lyrics, this sounds like doom.

“The Temptation of Adam” –Josh Ritter
Romance in a missile silo at the end of it all.

What would some of your choices be?

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