Dance Apocalyptic

Album: The Electric Lady (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This furious Pop-Punk song finds Monae singing about the apocalypse and zombies and dancing til' the end of the world. It was released as the second single from her The Electric Lady album.
  • Monáe told Billboard magazine that she wanted to create an album that was rooted in R&B but captured the diversity of R&B music. "I was inspired by Bo Diddley," she explained, "who inspired the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis (Presley). This was the leader, the pioneer of R&B. 'Dance Apocalyptic' was very much a response to being inspired by him."
  • Monáe explained the concept for the song's music video to A.V.Club: "I wanted to toy around with an alternate universe," she said, "and also question if the apocalypse were to come tomorrow how would it go down? How would we spend our last few hours? I wanted to make sure that the video was reflective of that energy, and I thought it would be really cool to create a female rock star in this alternate universe."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."