‘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 Originally made to just be a concert opener, it is the first single and title track from the band's third studio album.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 song was based on a keyboard riff which Joey Tempest had written, as early as 1981 or 1982, with a Korg Polysix keyboard which he had borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli. In 1985, bassist John Levén suggested that Tempest should write a song based on that riff. Tempest recorded a demo version of the song and played it for the other band members. 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. 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." The song's lyrics were inspired by David Bowie's song ‘Space Oddity’.
On VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders, Joey Tempest said: "It was quite a surprise that the song 'The Final Countdown' became such a big hit because it was written for the band, it was written for our concert, it was written to be the opening song in our concert. It was almost six-minutes long, it was never intended to be a short pop hit or anything, it was very much a surprise and its been used for all kinds of events, anything from Formula 1 to boxing. It's been used for a lot, sort of like an anthem. I know there's been some cover versions of it as well and I know when the Berlin Wall (fell), at the same time that all thing happened I know a lot of other people from that area saw the song as an anthem. I get a lot of letters about that. So its been interpreted in many ways."
‘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), 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). The song is also the band's highest-charting single in Australia and Canada, peaking at number 2 and at number 5.
Label – Epic
Songwriter – Joey Tempest
Producer – Kevin Elson
SONG LYRICS
[Instrumental Intro][Verse 1]
We're leaving together, but still, it's farewell
And maybe, we'll come back to Earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground (Leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?
[Chorus]
It's the final countdown
The final countdown
[Verse 2]
Oh-oh, we're heading for Venus (Venus)
And still, we stand tall
'Cause maybe they've seen us
And welcome us all, yeah
With so many light years to go
And things to be found (To be found)
I'm sure that we'll all miss her so
[Chorus]
It's the final countdown
The final countdown
The final countdown (Final countdown), oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
The final countdown, oh-oh
It's the final countdown
The final countdown
The final countdown (Final countdown), oh
It's the final countdown
We're leaving together (The final countdown)
We'll all miss her so
It's the final countdown (Final countdown), oh
[Outro]
It's the final countdown
Yeah