Let’s Rock Apocalypse, Shall We?

The whole world, in various languages, discussed, (dis-)believed in, expected, looked forward to or laughed at – in other words, was NOT indifferent to the potential World Apocalypse. No matter whether you felt cynical or inspired about ‘the end of this world’ but were all are somewhat in the middle of that happening. Well, here’s then a short post dedicated to Armageddon, in a music way, of course.

Despite beliefs everyone has his/her own vision of how all this should end and the best way to express that is art, music as one of its best forms. I would like to highlight three compositions that to me show the various sides of the world ending. The first would be the ‘voice’ of the famous American movie we all probably watched at least once – Armageddon. The track was composed by Trevor Rabin and managed to add up to the entire doomsday atmosphere of the film that was created at the times when disasters became easier to be portrayed through the CGI effects.

My second choice would be the “Armageddon It” performed by the Def Leppard hard rock band. The song itself and the epic ‘live’ video to it managed to reach Top 3 in the United States. These guys were actually the ones who started gathering such huge stadium for live performances. But what can be better than a cool rock band performing apocalypse on the stage? A whole orchestra doing the same! I’m referring to my third pick which is the “Apocalypse” by Bear McCreary. Those lovely vocals by Raya Yarbrough accompanied by the emotional BSG Orchestra! Check out the live version below.

The Carpenters: Merry Christmas, Darling

Can’t help but proceed sticking to the topic of Holiday and the music that adds up to its atmosphere. I've realized that such a genre as Christmas songs is the type of music I personally feel like listening to only in December. Not that it would hurt listening to them any other time of the year, no, but in December you feel like you actually LIVE this music letting it through yourself.

There are songs that are composed on the eve of Christmas but can live one season only. And there are hits that once composed immediately turn into timeless classics. “Merry Christmas, Darling” no doubt belongs to them – the first and successful attempt of The Carpenters in Christmas music. The lyrics had actually been written long beforehand, by Karen and Richard’s choir director Frank Pooler. But Richard composed the music and Karen decorated it with her angel voice. The song was released in 1970 as part of the album “Christmas Portrait” and is still one of the strongest associations with this holiday. It was covered multiple times and also appeared in TV series like the popular Glee.

All I Want for Christmas is … !

There, there! The festivity of the Christmas month is already in the air! I so love the last weeks of preparations for the holiday. That little Christmas chaos about everything – from the hassle of buying presents for the loved ones and thinking about ‘table issues’ to arranging business stuff. While kids are sincerely believing in Santa Claus (according to stats, 80% do), grown-ups get prepared in their own way. If earlier, when we were kids, dreaming of gifts like a toy, a puppy or a huge candy could be the top of it, now, as adults, we may have wishes of a different nature. A more ‘humanly’ nature… during the most festive moments we long for love, tenderness, safety and happiness of the people we love tenderly.

That is basically the main idea conveyed through one of the most recognizable Christmas songs – written, recorded and performed by a no-less recognizable singer Mariah Carey. “All I Want for Christmas is You” was released in 1994 and is still merrily sung around. The composition received numerous honorable titles by biggest magazines – “one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon” (The New Yorker), “a holiday standard” (Rolling Stone), “most played Christmas song of the decade in the UK” (The Daily Telegraph). One of the reasons for such commercial and popular success is the personal background to the song. It was a dedication to Mariah’s husband which is delivered not only through the intimate romantic lyrics, but also through a literally personal clip that was made from Carey’s personal video archive: