The song is about mankind leaving a wrecked Earth to search for a new home somewhere in space. The main source of inspiration was David Bowie's 1969 breakthrough hit "Space oddity". Europe's singer Joey Tempest (born Joakim Larsson) is a massive Bowie fan. He's also responsible for close to 100 % of Europe's music and lyrics: a true musical genius. And an even greater singer than you can tell from his clip: Europe's US label, on signing them, compared him favorably to Steve Perry. Europe, the biggest hard rock/metal band from Sweden ever (these days getting some competition from Ghost though), released their first album in 1983. "The final countdown" was the title track off their 1986 third album. The single preceded the album and became an international hit of unbelievable proportions, reaching the #1 spot in over 20 countries - though in the US it "only" got to to #4. The album became a multi-million dollar seller - obviously. These days, many in the US incorrectly refer to Europe as a one-hit wonder. The truth is, the album "The final countdown" produced no less than four major chart hits, one of whom, the ballad "Carrie", charted even higher in the US than "The final countdown", the song. Sadly the band failed to maintain that momentum on their two subsequent albums - mainly due to management incompetence, few dispute that the music as such was still of comparably stellar quality. In 1992 Europe called it a day - grunge had arrived and for Europe it just was not funny anymore. "The final countdown" still remained an anthemic classic of legendary proportions, and the band was invited to perform it live on national TV during the last few minutes of 1999: the literal final countdown to the new millennium. In 2004 Europe released their comeback album, in the classic "Final countdown" lineup you see in this clip: Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist John Levén, keyboardist Mic Michaeli and drummer Ian Haugland. They have since continued to have a successful career, now as a more 70s sounding classic rock band. Especially the 2009 "Last look at Eden" album met with great fan appreciation, producing new hits in the form of the title track and the ballad "New love in town" (the latter about Tempest's newborn son). In 2023 Europe did their, also very successful, 40th anniversary tour and are about to release their long-awaited twelfth studip album.
It can be interpreted as escaping a troubled planet, but the lyrics doesn't state anything like that explicitly. Still, I wonder if there are historical facts that point to such an interpretation as being correct, with regards to what they were thinking while writing the lyrics. I am 63 years old now, born in 1960, and remember being taught in primary school about the coming climate crisis due to CO2, about the pollution, and also the mass extinction of species we are now undergoing.
"Rock the night" was another one. I always took the "final countdown" as a nuclear launch countdown. Hey, it was 1985 and my English wasn't that good yet 🙂 I still must have the vinyl of this somewhere.
If anyone remembers Sid Meyers Civilization had an Alpha Centauri expansions back in the days.. they remade it in 2014 and there came out this Europe - Final Countdown version of the video which was really great: ruclips.net/video/Z_WSgMhfuic/видео.html
AS a GEN X dude, I can honestly say the 80s produced more anthems than any other time that I can think of.........Incredible time to be a young teen, INCREDIBLE TIME
@@zebra3694 nah. There's good song on all their 80s album. And even some good one from the last decade. I've seen them live 3 times, and they still perform very well.
@@Agent-yl6jx No, no, you misread what I said. I said he IS the biggest poser, not that he CAN be. Dee Snider has the same energy as he did in the haydays of Twisted Sister, Joey, on the other hand, holds his practiced poses for literally 10-15 seconds on stage.
He has it all .. talent, voice, look, physique, style, being down to earth and being kind with fans... and a stunnjng frontman ... What else does the viewer want?! 🫠 @Valfodr_jr
@Valfodr_jr I think there's a misunderstanding of the word poser here. You mean he is capable of doing poses. Do moves but also standstill. However in some countries being a poser means he's a wannabe. Someone who acts and behaves a certain way (usually cooler than they are). That's the meaning in my home country. I think that's also what the other things you meant so he came to Joey's defense.
Being from Greece, this song became close to national anthem when we won Eurobasket back in 1987! Wonderful times great memories celebrating on the streets of the Capital right after the final against USSR that Greece won!
Europe is a rock band formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden. The leadsinger Joey Tempest and John Norum the guitarist formed the band Force in 1979 together with bassist Peter Olsson and drummer Tony Reno aka Tony Niemistö. Olsson was soon replaced by John Levén. In 1982 the band changed its name from Force to Europe.
Love it! I wake up our daughters every school morning with a song and The Final Countdown has become a tradition to kick off the start of the final week of school each year. I’m 48 and grew up on 80s and 90s rock, rap and pop so it’s neat sharing some of it with them.
Since 1986 this song has been played in Denmark at every graduation party. Celebrating leaving school and starting the "new" life as an adult. Saying goodbuy to old friends and welcoming new.
This song came out & most countries use it not for sports, but on New Year's eve. Final Countdown by Europe, We are the Champions by Queens, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor are considered mega hits. As these songs are known worldwide.
I loved Europe when i was a teenager and still do. They and Def Leppard are the main two bands i have always wanted to see in concert and havent been able to yet. I know this is going to seem odd, but i even used Tomorrow by Europe off of their fourth album, Out of This World, as the last song at my husbands funeral last year because he wasnt going to be there "Tomorrow."
This song in my old age (55) FINALLY grew on me. I recall when it FIRST came out I was into nothing but heavy stuff and hardcore punk. Now I've gotten to appreciate it and the band itself. Can't deny talent, I always say
I grew up hearing a version of this song as a cheering song for sri lankan army during civil war. The music is crazy. I am placing this song above every song I ever heard. I only heard original version today. Damn ...You can't really be sad or depressed after hearing this song. Not even Michael Jackson or Metallica songs had this energy. Once the words are there and I began to understand meaning the song climbed to the top of my song list. This song should be immortal and should be blasted when the first mars human mission deploys somewhen in near future.
Loved the look on your face when they started playing the keyboard! When the Miami Marlins baseball team debuted as the Florida Marlins in 1993, they had a closer named Bryan Harvey who would pitch in the 9th inning & the team would play this song whenever he would come in to "close" the game
It's not just the keyboard that's great. The guitars, the base and the drums make a great effect, kinda like horses galloping It was the signature of 80s rock. It makes me feel like I'm riding with the hordes of Genghis Khan or Attila through the Eurasian steppes. My workout playlist is full of 80s classics. They get me absolutely pumped.
Joey Tempest was the full package as a front man. Great voice, best hair, good fashion and he knew how to move on stage. What's even more amazing, is that he is performing on this level in 2024 while most of his colleagues have let it all go. Incredible talent
The Europe Final Countdown album was the first cassette tape I bought, I was 7 years old, I got this and the 2nd was Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet. 1984, great year
That new years eve (99-00) they got together and played live for all of stockholm just before the clock struck midnight. it was right there and then the plans for a reunion where sat in motion. Thats btw the only time they've performed with both John Norum and Kee Marcello on guitar.
Joey the singer can play instruments. John Norum is the leadguitarist, John Levén play bass, Mic Michaeli is on keyboard and Ian Haugland on drums. I have loved this band since the early 80´s and saw them live a few years ago. They called themself force at first but changed it to Europe.
The song "The Final Countdown" by Europe is about the end of an important journey or era. The lyrics are about reflecting on the journey while they leave and having to say goodbye to something they will never be the same again
I watched them play at the 2000 millenium newyear drop in the middle of Stockholm, Sweden, in front of around 500.000 people. The final countdown. That was fun.
in regards of it being an NFL anthem, its even more crazy that joey probably didnt even know what NFL was when he wrote it :) American football was very niche at the time in Sweden (still are)
I love your reaction, it was awesome! We love you!! I grew up listening to this on my own along with Metallica, Megadeth etc. I listen to pretty much everything since my father listened to oldies (he was born in 1944) while my mother listened to some country & oldies as well (she was born in 1957). My fiance tried stumping me with oldies but somehow I knew them all, it was funny to see the disappointment on his face lol. We watch your reactions all the time
Hi Heather! I feel you. I was friends with an oldies DJ and he introduced me to all the older music. I always get funny looks for knowing all those songs. Yes, they want to test you all the time like it was your goal to trick them into thinking....what? That we listen to music? Lmao. What are you going to do. Love you ,Britt! Thanks for doing all types of music. You keep things interesting! 🙃🌝😃💜
a classic from my youth [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
I love that I grew up in the 70s and was able to understand the 80s music. What I appreciate now more then ever is singers had talent back then not saying they don't now but there's no autotune then
Ohhhh... I loved Europe! I had a big crush on Joey Tempest (lead singer). I met this one guy at a party when I was 18 (1987). I got up the courage to take him a cup of beer, as I observed that he had just finished his off. We struck up a conversation and I found out that he and his buddies were in a local hair band. I commented on how much he looked like Joey Tempest. He said "yeah, I get that A LOT" ! We continued chatting it up for awhile and made plans to go party somewhere else, but his buddies wanted to go somewhere else. So that was the end of that. Who knows what it would've led to 🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️😏😁 This song is iconic! Great reaction, Britt! 🫶🏼
80s music was truly unique in every way; it was the first time we were hearing "the 80s sound." It's music that will Iive on past all generations and these bands will live on in the halls of music history.
This song is played in many sporting events around the world 🌎. Written by Joey Tempest. He is the lead singer. Mic Michaeli is on keyboards 🎹. John Norum on lead guitar 🎸. These 3 are the core band members. Late Kevin Elson recirded some tracks 👣 at Fantasy Studios 🎙 in Berkeley, across from my hometown San Francisco 🌉. Sane studio where Elson and late Mike Stone produced the Escaoe and Frontiers albums for Journey. Suggested videos 📹: 1 Europe performs Rock 🎸 the Night 2 Journey performs Message of Love.
80's and 90's not only this song was the theme song for the starting of NFL games but also songs by Hank Wiliams Monday night football " Are you ready for some football" also. "Shot to the heart" by Van Jovi became the theme for some videos of best plays and hits on NFL football games.
At a big high school indoor track meet up on Staten Island. They play music through the whole meet. This comes on, the whole place starts jumping up and down at the same time. Thought the place would come down! I thought it amusing that 9-10-11 graders knew this and hyped to it!
This song was very popular all around the world in the late '80s only to kinda become forgotten. Then you might say it was kinda re-discovered the closer to turn of the century we came. Someone working for the city of Stockholm came up with the idea of having Europe playing this song at midnight as 1999 would become 2000. An idea that sounded good but maybe not that easy to actually pull off since Europe was disbanded at that time. However the members of the band all agreed to reunite for the Millenium gig. Just like in many other cases the guys remembered what a thrill it was to play together. That allegedly one time gig became a full time reunion!
Another awesome swedish music export. Back in the day we had a rock competition called Rock SM once a year. It is the swedish championship of rock. The year that Europe won this competition 1982 my cousins band Kofot, Crowbar in english was one of the other bands in that competition. Europe became a huge success and the band toured the world over and became one of the biggest music exports from Sweden.
I live in Sweden and a member of my church, his father the first drummer in this group, up to 1984, . this song came out 86.the group is swedish.and my ex lived next door to Per Gessle from another Swedish group called Roxette and he used to play guitar to her.l have trained at the gym in Stockholm were the Backstreet boys trained while recording there new album in there prime, if the teenage girls would have found that out they would have stormed the gym, but they kept it quite.l have met others as well since we are (Sweden)the third biggest producer of musical talent after america and the UK.so it's not uncommon to run into famous people in Stockholm.just some fun info
Great one Britt, i grew up with that one, even still have the Vinly record hehe Fun fact when the paint company i worked for, opened a new paint factory, they invited Europe to perform this song and others at the opening .this was about 12 years ago 😋😛
Great reaction!🤘 In 1986 I got this vinyl album for my 13th birthday. My dad (who wasn't into metal at all!) played this song over and over.. I also had a huge poster of the lead singer Joey Tempest/Joakim Larsson on my wall.
Born in the 70s, grew up in the 80s and college and left home in the 90s .. it isn’t just nostalgia .. life was objectively better on all fronts .. especially the music and movies.
I saw Europe open up for Def Leppard in 1987... They played the Final Countdown twice. Also, all of their songs sound like workout montages from 80's movies.
Although this song was kind of cheesy, it was an immediate hit...... high school football teams were blasting this in the locker room the week it debuted.
Now you'll have to excuse me,... but The Final Countdown is not a love song! It is not about the love between two people. The text that Joey Tempest (aka. Joakim Larsson his real name), wrote already as a teenager, but was released in 1986, is about the tensions in the world during the 80s.The decade was marked by the Cold War and the lyrics are about leaving the earth because it is terrible to live in. From the text,..."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. Will things ever be the same again?"...
Couple of homages from Finnish bands: "Stone - Final Cuntdown", ""Eläkeläiset - Jääkärihumppa", Norther - The Final Countdown" and "Children Of Bodom - The Final Countdown".
I was a teenanger in the eighties and i loved the music and the long hair on the guys the best music was made then. You have to listen to Carrie by Europe its amazing so many good bands from Sweden where im from ❤️🥰❣️🇸🇪
Saw one of their concerts when the song was just released. Joey presented it like this "This is the final countdown for Europe to leave Europe, to explore the music market in other parts of the world"
There are so many extremly good songs beside this anthem song. Check out a song called tomorrow. Amazing ballad song that really shows joeys vocal ability. They are still playing together after more than 40 years. A Great live band. Seen them many times over the years, never been disapointed. Joeys voice is not as high pitch anymore but he still delivers great vocals at the age of 61.❤
I would. And, I did. I'm not just your average metalhead though. I was mainly into Thrash. I don't necessarily like this song though. It's ok. A bit cheesy. Overplayed for sure! My favorite songs of theirs are Cherokee, Rock the Night and Superstitious. Carrie has grown on me throughout the years. But, I'm still not willing to include it as one of their best.
Oh my, reminds me 10 years ago I was standing on backstage like 2 meters from those guys, those (used to be) megastars. And yes, they have short hair now :))
It's very epic and being about the anticipation of the launch and getting ready for the journey I guess it suits any situation where you want to get hyped up and excited. Or for literally counting down to an event like the stroke of midnight on new years
Did you know that they hung the tube-condens mic upsidedown to prevent the heat from the tube to pass the membrane and mess up the sound when the heat rises. Yours isn’t a tube-cond mic, so it’s just upside down 😅😂
It is an anthem with its music so it probably became used iin opening sports shows 5 seconds after the opening of it. It is about about an Apocolyptic world and leaving earth to a new planet. Which described my college sweet 16 basketball brackets this year..they were apocolyptic out of the running after the first few days...oh well always next year.
you wish that you lived in this era ?--I did (born in 1972), so I remember the end of the 70's (last years of disco & first years of punk, I remember most of the 80's and everything that came after. These were cool years, but we had both worlds: the best and the worst. I used to have this kind of haircut (long & curly). And I like reactions from younger generations about this era. I saw many of the bands of the 80's & 90's in live shows: U2, AC-DC, ZZ Top, Pink Floyd (once each) & Metallica (5times, between 1985 and august 2023). It's fun to me to hear what the younger generations think about the references (music & movies) from the years that I grew up. Have a nice day Britt.
I remember Hank Williams, Jr.'s modified version of "All My Rowdy Friends" specifically written for Monday Night Football for the NFL. Not this song. It's its own gem.
There is a video of Mariah Carey opening a basketball game with "America The Beautiful" she did not long before her first hit entered the top 40. In at least one of those clips of Mariah they play a snipet of this song just as she's getting ready to sing. That was probably filmed in 1990.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
The song is about mankind leaving a wrecked Earth to search for a new home somewhere in space. The main source of inspiration was David Bowie's 1969 breakthrough hit "Space oddity". Europe's singer Joey Tempest (born Joakim Larsson) is a massive Bowie fan. He's also responsible for close to 100 % of Europe's music and lyrics: a true musical genius. And an even greater singer than you can tell from his clip: Europe's US label, on signing them, compared him favorably to Steve Perry.
Europe, the biggest hard rock/metal band from Sweden ever (these days getting some competition from Ghost though), released their first album in 1983. "The final countdown" was the title track off their 1986 third album. The single preceded the album and became an international hit of unbelievable proportions, reaching the #1 spot in over 20 countries - though in the US it "only" got to to #4. The album became a multi-million dollar seller - obviously. These days, many in the US incorrectly refer to Europe as a one-hit wonder. The truth is, the album "The final countdown" produced no less than four major chart hits, one of whom, the ballad "Carrie", charted even higher in the US than "The final countdown", the song. Sadly the band failed to maintain that momentum on their two subsequent albums - mainly due to management incompetence, few dispute that the music as such was still of comparably stellar quality. In 1992 Europe called it a day - grunge had arrived and for Europe it just was not funny anymore. "The final countdown" still remained an anthemic classic of legendary proportions, and the band was invited to perform it live on national TV during the last few minutes of 1999: the literal final countdown to the new millennium. In 2004 Europe released their comeback album, in the classic "Final countdown" lineup you see in this clip: Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist John Levén, keyboardist Mic Michaeli and drummer Ian Haugland. They have since continued to have a successful career, now as a more 70s sounding classic rock band. Especially the 2009 "Last look at Eden" album met with great fan appreciation, producing new hits in the form of the title track and the ballad "New love in town" (the latter about Tempest's newborn son). In 2023 Europe did their, also very successful, 40th anniversary tour and are about to release their long-awaited twelfth studip album.
It can be interpreted as escaping a troubled planet, but the lyrics doesn't state anything like that explicitly. Still, I wonder if there are historical facts that point to such an interpretation as being correct, with regards to what they were thinking while writing the lyrics. I am 63 years old now, born in 1960, and remember being taught in primary school about the coming climate crisis due to CO2, about the pollution, and also the mass extinction of species we are now undergoing.
"Rock the night" was another one. I always took the "final countdown" as a nuclear launch countdown. Hey, it was 1985 and my English wasn't that good yet 🙂 I still must have the vinyl of this somewhere.
If anyone remembers Sid Meyers Civilization had an Alpha Centauri expansions back in the days.. they remade it in 2014 and there came out this Europe - Final Countdown version of the video which was really great: ruclips.net/video/Z_WSgMhfuic/видео.html
I have a vague memory that it used to also be interpreted as waiting for pushing that red button.
@@MagdalenaBozyk, good point. Having lived in those times, I know that's the first connection you'd naturally make.
AS a GEN X dude, I can honestly say the 80s produced more anthems than any other time that I can think of.........Incredible time to be a young teen, INCREDIBLE TIME
X generation here too. All so true.
You need to check out more Europe 😎 Cherokee, Rock the night, Carrie, Sign of the times, Seven doors hotel. They done so many good songs! 🔥
There first album is really good.....thats about it
@@zebra3694 nah. There's good song on all their 80s album. And even some good one from the last decade. I've seen them live 3 times, and they still perform very well.
This guy added what I was going to add
Superstitious is the best
please not more of europe.
I saw Europe live yesterday in Stockholm, Sweden. After 40 years Joey still got the moves. It was a great show.
Joey is LITERALLY the biggest poser in music history! I say this as a concert-photographer!
@@Valfodr_jr he can be but as a showman he had the same energy as the videos from the 80's.
@@Agent-yl6jx No, no, you misread what I said. I said he IS the biggest poser, not that he CAN be. Dee Snider has the same energy as he did in the haydays of Twisted Sister, Joey, on the other hand, holds his practiced poses for literally 10-15 seconds on stage.
He has it all .. talent, voice, look, physique, style, being down to earth and being kind with fans... and a stunnjng frontman ... What else does the viewer want?! 🫠 @Valfodr_jr
@Valfodr_jr I think there's a misunderstanding of the word poser here. You mean he is capable of doing poses. Do moves but also standstill. However in some countries being a poser means he's a wannabe. Someone who acts and behaves a certain way (usually cooler than they are). That's the meaning in my home country. I think that's also what the other things you meant so he came to Joey's defense.
The singer, Joakim "Joey Tempest", was only 17 when he wrote the synth-intro!😊
Wow!
I believe that he actually made it as some synth entrance thing for a hockey team.
Then when composing he remembered this riff, then made the song.
MTV at its best played this almost non-stop. I lived for these hair bands!
Being from Greece, this song became close to national anthem when we won Eurobasket back in 1987!
Wonderful times great memories celebrating on the streets of the Capital right after the final against USSR that Greece won!
Europe is a rock band formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm, Sweden.
The leadsinger Joey Tempest and John Norum the guitarist formed the band Force in 1979 together with bassist Peter Olsson and drummer Tony Reno aka Tony Niemistö. Olsson was soon replaced by John Levén.
In 1982 the band changed its name from Force to Europe.
Love it! I wake up our daughters every school morning with a song and The Final Countdown has become a tradition to kick off the start of the final week of school each year. I’m 48 and grew up on 80s and 90s rock, rap and pop so it’s neat sharing some of it with them.
Thanks for sharing!!
I was there at Solna hallen when they recorded this, it was free to go in so they could get so many people as possible in there. Great memories.
😎🤘
Since 1986 this song has been played in Denmark at every graduation party. Celebrating leaving school and starting the "new" life as an adult. Saying goodbuy to old friends and welcoming new.
This song came out & most countries use it not for sports, but on New Year's eve.
Final Countdown by Europe, We are the Champions by Queens, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor are considered mega hits.
As these songs are known worldwide.
I loved Europe when i was a teenager and still do. They and Def Leppard are the main two bands i have always wanted to see in concert and havent been able to yet. I know this is going to seem odd, but i even used Tomorrow by Europe off of their fourth album, Out of This World, as the last song at my husbands funeral last year because he wasnt going to be there "Tomorrow."
This song exemplifies the 80's big hair rock genre perfectly. Was so proud of myself when I mastered that guitar solo. Rock on!
This song in my old age (55) FINALLY grew on me. I recall when it FIRST came out I was into nothing but heavy stuff and hardcore punk. Now I've gotten to appreciate it and the band itself. Can't deny talent, I always say
My husband saw them in concert yesterday and he said they still sounded really good! 😊
YES!!JOEYS VOICE STILL AMAZING..HE IS A LYRIC TENOR WITH SPECIAL HIGH SENTIVE VOICE!!
I grew up hearing a version of this song as a cheering song for sri lankan army during civil war. The music is crazy. I am placing this song above every song I ever heard. I only heard original version today. Damn ...You can't really be sad or depressed after hearing this song. Not even Michael Jackson or Metallica songs had this energy. Once the words are there and I began to understand meaning the song climbed to the top of my song list. This song should be immortal and should be blasted when the first mars human mission deploys somewhen in near future.
Loved the look on your face when they started playing the keyboard! When the Miami Marlins baseball team debuted as the Florida Marlins in 1993, they had a closer named Bryan Harvey who would pitch in the 9th inning & the team would play this song whenever he would come in to "close" the game
Bryan Harvey, takes me back. He was an Angel before a Marlin. The Detroit Pistons used this first when they still played in the Silverdome.
It's probably the greatest keyboard arena rock anthem EVER‼️
It's not just the keyboard that's great. The guitars, the base and the drums make a great effect, kinda like horses galloping It was the signature of 80s rock. It makes me feel like I'm riding with the hordes of Genghis Khan or Attila through the Eurasian steppes. My workout playlist is full of 80s classics. They get me absolutely pumped.
Van Halens Jump is my favourite. But that's probably just because im Swedish and i've listened to Europe till my ear was bleeding back in the days.😝
I did live in that era! Greatest 15 year span for music.
Yes the 80s is great in music.
Joey Tempest was the full package as a front man. Great voice, best hair, good fashion and he knew how to move on stage. What's even more amazing, is that he is performing on this level in 2024 while most of his colleagues have let it all go. Incredible talent
The Song is about space exploration. Rock the night is another great song by them. 👍
The Europe Final Countdown album was the first cassette tape I bought, I was 7 years old, I got this and the 2nd was Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet. 1984, great year
1984 was a great year! Those two are 1986.😊
@@erikrichards5072 I see you are correct, so I guess I was 9, not 7, thank you for letting me know how out of touch I am with my childhood memories :)
First concert I ever went too. They opened up for Def Leppard in Old Orchard Beach Maine.
John Norum the guitarist , wonderful guy and brilliant musician, met him once when he was with Michelle meldrum from Phantom Blue , Rip Michelle
Oh man ... Phantom Blue ... one of the mysteries of music why they never took off.
@@dallassukerkin6878 yeah amazing band!
This is a Swedish group and guess what song played in (pretty much) every home at midnight New Years 1999-2000.
USA too lol
That new years eve (99-00) they got together and played live for all of stockholm just before the clock struck midnight. it was right there and then the plans for a reunion where sat in motion. Thats btw the only time they've performed with both John Norum and Kee Marcello on guitar.
The keyboard riff was originally used as intro music for their shows, then they decided to write the song around it.
It was to close the night at BERNS, an outro for the peeps at this clasic stockholm nightclub.
Joey the singer can play instruments. John Norum is the leadguitarist, John Levén play bass, Mic Michaeli is on keyboard and Ian Haugland on drums. I have loved this band since the early 80´s and saw them live a few years ago. They called themself force at first but changed it to Europe.
The song "The Final Countdown" by Europe is about the end of an important journey or era. The lyrics are about reflecting on the journey while they leave and having to say goodbye to something they will never be the same again
Saw them for the first time last month in Rock in Rio Lisboa... A dream come true! They are still great!
I watched them play at the 2000 millenium newyear drop in the middle of Stockholm, Sweden, in front of around 500.000 people. The final countdown. That was fun.
in regards of it being an NFL anthem, its even more crazy that joey probably didnt even know what NFL was when he wrote it :) American football was very niche at the time in Sweden (still are)
Ian (drummer) never got enough credit. Absolute great drummer with driving grooves and great fills that complemented their songs.
I went to Henderson State University. And the band did a version of the intro hook with brass. During timeouts. Awesome!
It's high school music for me. Very popular in 1985 in Sweden.
I have never heard of it being used for anything else.
I love your reaction, it was awesome! We love you!! I grew up listening to this on my own along with Metallica, Megadeth etc. I listen to pretty much everything since my father listened to oldies (he was born in 1944) while my mother listened to some country & oldies as well (she was born in 1957). My fiance tried stumping me with oldies but somehow I knew them all, it was funny to see the disappointment on his face lol. We watch your reactions all the time
Hi Heather! I feel you. I was friends with an oldies DJ and he introduced me to all the older music. I always get funny looks for knowing all those songs. Yes, they want to test you all the time like it was your goal to trick them into thinking....what? That we listen to music? Lmao. What are you going to do. Love you ,Britt! Thanks for doing all types of music. You keep things interesting! 🙃🌝😃💜
Rock on!
a classic from my youth
[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
I remember sittingbin a tent in Egypt, cleaning my weapons and listening to this on my mix tape back on the 80's
I love that I grew up in the 70s and was able to understand the 80s music. What I appreciate now more then ever is singers had talent back then not saying they don't now but there's no autotune then
New years 1999 they played this live on a stage in Stockholm harbor.
We will rock you and we are the champions are the most played songs in the US.
Ohhhh... I loved Europe! I had a big crush on Joey Tempest (lead singer). I met this one guy at a party when I was 18 (1987). I got up the courage to take him a cup of beer, as I observed that he had just finished his off. We struck up a conversation and I found out that he and his buddies were in a local hair band. I commented on how much he looked like Joey Tempest. He said "yeah, I get that A LOT" ! We continued chatting it up for awhile and made plans to go party somewhere else, but his buddies wanted to go somewhere else. So that was the end of that. Who knows what it would've led to 🤦🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️😏😁
This song is iconic!
Great reaction, Britt! 🫶🏼
80s music was truly unique in every way; it was the first time we were hearing "the 80s sound." It's music that will Iive on past all generations and these bands will live on in the halls of music history.
The originals. Rock on Gen. X
This song is played in many sporting events around the world 🌎.
Written by Joey Tempest. He is the lead singer. Mic Michaeli is on keyboards 🎹. John Norum on lead guitar 🎸. These 3 are the core band members.
Late Kevin Elson recirded some tracks 👣 at Fantasy Studios 🎙 in Berkeley, across from my hometown San Francisco 🌉. Sane studio where Elson and late Mike Stone produced the Escaoe and Frontiers albums for Journey.
Suggested videos 📹: 1 Europe performs Rock 🎸 the Night 2 Journey performs Message of Love.
This is an apocalyptic themed song and describes humans fleeing to space in search for a new home
80's and 90's not only this song was the theme song for the starting of NFL games but also songs by Hank Wiliams Monday night football " Are you ready for some football" also. "Shot to the heart" by Van Jovi became the theme for some videos of best plays and hits on NFL football games.
One of the best rock solos Very melodic.
At a big high school indoor track meet up on Staten Island. They play music through the whole meet. This comes on, the whole place starts jumping up and down at the same time. Thought the place would come down! I thought it amusing that 9-10-11 graders knew this and hyped to it!
This song was very popular all around the world in the late '80s only to kinda become forgotten. Then you might say it was kinda re-discovered the closer to turn of the century we came. Someone working for the city of Stockholm came up with the idea of having Europe playing this song at midnight as 1999 would become 2000. An idea that sounded good but maybe not that easy to actually pull off since Europe was disbanded at that time. However the members of the band all agreed to reunite for the Millenium gig. Just like in many other cases the guys remembered what a thrill it was to play together. That allegedly one time gig became a full time reunion!
Another awesome swedish music export. Back in the day we had a rock competition called Rock SM once a year. It is the swedish championship of rock. The year that Europe won this competition 1982 my cousins band Kofot, Crowbar in english was one of the other bands in that competition. Europe became a huge success and the band toured the world over and became one of the biggest music exports from Sweden.
I live in Sweden and a member of my church, his father the first drummer in this group, up to 1984, . this song came out 86.the group is swedish.and my ex lived next door to Per Gessle from another Swedish group called Roxette and he used to play guitar to her.l have trained at the gym in Stockholm were the Backstreet boys trained while recording there new album in there prime, if the teenage girls would have found that out they would have stormed the gym, but they kept it quite.l have met others as well since we are (Sweden)the third biggest producer of musical talent after america and the UK.so it's not uncommon to run into famous people in Stockholm.just some fun info
This song was very popular in Eastern Europe before the wall fell. The song was a symbol of the journey to freedom.
Great one Britt, i grew up with that one, even still have the Vinly record hehe Fun fact when the paint company i worked for, opened a new paint factory, they invited Europe to perform this song and others at the opening .this was about 12 years ago 😋😛
Love from Sweeden❤️😀
Great reaction!🤘 In 1986 I got this vinyl album for my 13th birthday. My dad (who wasn't into metal at all!) played this song over and over.. I also had a huge poster of the lead singer Joey Tempest/Joakim Larsson on my wall.
I think that intro melody gotta be one of the most recognizable melodies in music history.
I wanna say this came out my freshman year of high school man I tell you I grew up with the best music :) !!!!
Born in the 70s, grew up in the 80s and college and left home in the 90s .. it isn’t just nostalgia .. life was objectively better on all fronts .. especially the music and movies.
Gonna see them in concert in 2 days. They are AMAZING and extremly good live 💪🎸
I saw Europe open up for Def Leppard in 1987... They played the Final Countdown twice. Also, all of their songs sound like workout montages from 80's movies.
Although this song was kind of cheesy, it was an immediate hit...... high school football teams were blasting this in the locker room the week it debuted.
Why you think it was cheesy ?
Carrie and Rock the Night are both great songs by Europe.
Now you'll have to excuse me,... but The Final Countdown is not a love song! It is not about the love between two people. The text that Joey Tempest (aka. Joakim Larsson his real name), wrote already as a teenager, but was released in 1986, is about the tensions in the world during the 80s.The decade was marked by the Cold War and the lyrics are about leaving the earth because it is terrible to live in.
From the text,..."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. Will things ever be the same again?"...
After the Challenger disaster, this song was in radio constantly. Quess "The final countdown" resonated.
Couple of homages from Finnish bands: "Stone - Final Cuntdown", ""Eläkeläiset - Jääkärihumppa", Norther - The Final Countdown" and "Children Of Bodom - The Final Countdown".
I was in Boot camp when this song was released!! Memories!!!
1:st time heard this song on Dragonvägen, Upplandsväsby Europe was there practising this song right before they got famous.
I was a kid at that time.
This is played every New Year's Eve the last about 4 minutes before midnight
I was a teenanger in the eighties and i loved the music and the long hair on the guys the best music was made then. You have to listen to Carrie by Europe its amazing so many good bands from Sweden where im from ❤️🥰❣️🇸🇪
I was a kid in the 80s, but if I had been a decade older, I would have dressed and looked like this band and the glam rockers.
Saw one of their concerts when the song was just released. Joey presented it like this "This is the final countdown for Europe to leave Europe, to explore the music market in other parts of the world"
It's about an exodus from Earth in spaceships.
There are so many extremly good songs beside this anthem song. Check out a song called tomorrow. Amazing ballad song that really shows joeys vocal ability. They are still playing together after more than 40 years. A Great live band. Seen them many times over the years, never been disapointed. Joeys voice is not as high pitch anymore but he still delivers great vocals at the age of 61.❤
I can still remember when this song came out. I had the cassette. I was a young lad.
Hands down best hair of the 80’s hair bands!
Yes it's used a lot for sports.. and New Year.. or just any time you want an energy boost.
An LP that no metalhead would admit to owning.
I would. And, I did. I'm not just your average metalhead though. I was mainly into Thrash. I don't necessarily like this song though. It's ok. A bit cheesy. Overplayed for sure! My favorite songs of theirs are Cherokee, Rock the Night and Superstitious. Carrie has grown on me throughout the years. But, I'm still not willing to include it as one of their best.
True metal heads dont give a f***. They own up to their record collection.. ;)
I do
80's and 90's please come back 🙏🙏🥺🥺♥️♥️
I guess it symbolically could work well for either sort of scoring.
Still think it's actually about space travel though.
Love the ah ha moments when you realize you know the song
The 80s are funny.. There are a few songs about the End of the World which this what this song is about. Great anthem song that will live on forever.
Oh my, reminds me 10 years ago I was standing on backstage like 2 meters from those guys, those (used to be) megastars. And yes, they have short hair now :))
It's very epic and being about the anticipation of the launch and getting ready for the journey I guess it suits any situation where you want to get hyped up and excited. Or for literally counting down to an event like the stroke of midnight on new years
I saw Europe when they just broke through. Still holds today.
Hug from Sweden 🇸🇪
One of my all-time favorite bands!
Did you know that they hung the tube-condens mic upsidedown to prevent the heat from the tube to pass the membrane and mess up the sound when the heat rises.
Yours isn’t a tube-cond mic, so it’s just upside down 😅😂
It is an anthem with its music so it probably became used iin opening sports shows 5 seconds after the opening of it. It is about about an Apocolyptic world and leaving earth to a new planet. Which described my college sweet 16 basketball brackets this year..they were apocolyptic out of the running after the first few days...oh well always next year.
Days Of Rock N Roll with Europe is king!
Detroit Pistons…. BAD BOYS!!! 🏀🐎🏎️
The songs were so popular sports adopted them. they were well known and praised long before the sport adopted them.
you wish that you lived in this era ?--I did (born in 1972), so I remember the end of the 70's (last years of disco & first years of punk, I remember most of the 80's and everything that came after. These were cool years, but we had both worlds: the best and the worst. I used to have this kind of haircut (long & curly). And I like reactions from younger generations about this era. I saw many of the bands of the 80's & 90's in live shows: U2, AC-DC, ZZ Top, Pink Floyd (once each) & Metallica (5times, between 1985 and august 2023). It's fun to me to hear what the younger generations think about the references (music & movies) from the years that I grew up. Have a nice day Britt.
I remember Hank Williams, Jr.'s modified version of "All My Rowdy Friends" specifically written for Monday Night Football for the NFL. Not this song. It's its own gem.
If you like Europe and haven't listened to Cinderella yet, then I highly suggest giving them a listen, the singer is amazing! 💙
It took a sports turn probably in the 90's, maybe around the year 2000.
Thanks for charing your experience of this old song 🙏❤
back then I was young....it was epick amazing....
There is a video of Mariah Carey opening a basketball game with "America The Beautiful" she did not long before her first hit entered the top 40. In at least one of those clips of Mariah they play a snipet of this song just as she's getting ready to sing. That was probably filmed in 1990.
Just sing and we’re going to be satisfied.
Gob from arrested development TV show uses this song for his magic shows. 😂