Apocalypse Dreams

Album: Lonerism (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first song to be released from Lonerism, the second album by Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, finds vocalist Kevin Parker singing of change and isolation. The lyrics were allegedly inspired by the 2011 Lars von Trier film, Melancholia, but when questioned on it in an interview in 2012, Parker suggested that he had penned the song previous to the film's release. Upon seeing the film, he said he was shocked upon the similarities on themes between the song and the film. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alex - Southport, United Kingdom
  • Parker penned the song with Tame Impala keyboardist Jay Watson, marking the first time Parker has co-written with another person for the band.
  • The critics loved Lonerism. Triple J, NME, Rolling Stone, Filter and Urban Outfitters all named it their album of the year for 2012.
  • Lonerism won Album of the Year and Best Rock Album at the 2013 ARIA Awards. Tame Impala also took home the prize for Australian Album of the Year at the 2012 J Awards.
  • Parker originally titled the album Loner Pop until after it had been mastered and sent off for production. He recalled on Instagram "sitting in the courtyard outside my apartment in Paris" and realizing he hadn't got the title quite right. Suddenly the world "lonerism" popped into his head and he knew that was the one.

    Parker called Glen Goetze, his A&R rep at Modular Recordings, and "begged him to stop the press and have it changed. The CDs must have already gone into production because all the first pressings say Loner Pop when you put them in a CD player."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.