HIT DETAILS
Artist Name: EUROPE
Top Position (Australia): 33
Song Author: Joey Tempest
Year Recorded: 1985
SONG PROFILE
The Final Countdown
Released February 14, 1986
“The Final Countdown” is a song by Swedish rock band Europe, released in 1986. Written by Joey Tempest, it was the first single from the band’s third studio album which was also named The Final Countdown. The song reached No. 1 in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, and was certified gold in the United Kingdom in 1986. In the United States the song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 18 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
The song was based on a keyboard riff which Joey Tempest had written, as early as 1981 or 1982, on 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: “When I first heard the synth intro to ‘The Final Countdown’, my reaction was: ‘No, this is nuts. We just can’t use this.’ Thank God they didn’t listen to me.” 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”
The song reached No. 1 in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom.
In the United States the song peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The single was certified Gold in the United Kingdom in 1986.
The song’s lyrics were inspired by David Bowie’s song “Space Oddity”.
Personnel:
Joey Tempest − vocals
John Norum − guitars
John Levén − bass guitar
Mic Michaeli − keyboards
Ian Haugland − drums