The Final Countdown

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "The Final Countdown" by Europe, from their 1986 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are surely rocking out to its legendary synth riff. This song, written by lead singer Joey Tempest, began as a keyboard riff he crafted in 1981 or 1982 on a Korg Polysix keyboard borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli. Inspired by David Bowie’s "Space Oddity," the lyrics evoke a cosmic journey, with lines like “We’re heading for Venus” capturing a sense of adventure. Originally intended as a concert opener, the band never planned for it to be a single, let alone a global hit. However, when Epic Records pushed for its release, it soared to number one in 25 countries, including the UK, and hit number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. Tempest once shared in a 2009 BBC interview that he was surprised by its widespread use in American sports, noting it was written for fans and meant to be a grand live show starter, not a chart-topper.

Another fun tidbit comes from guitarist John Norum’s initial reaction to the song’s synth-heavy intro. In a 2005 Classic Rock magazine interview, he admitted, “When I first heard the synth intro to 'The Final Countdown,' my reaction was: 'No, this is nuts. We just can't use this.'” Thankfully, the band ignored his doubts, and the track became their signature anthem. The music video, directed by Nick Morris, has amassed over 1.2 billion YouTube views and features footage from Europe’s concerts at Solnahallen in Solna, Sweden, mixed with soundcheck and Stockholm scenes. The song’s cultural impact is vast—it’s been used everywhere from a GEICO commercial, where the band humorously performs in an office break room, to serving as wrestler Bryan Danielson’s entrance music in Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling. One of the most memorable live performances happened on December 31, 1999, in Stockholm, during Millennium celebrations, marking the only time both lead guitarists, John Norum and Kee Marcello, played together.

Europe’s journey to fame began in 1979 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, when guitarist John Norum, vocalist Joey Tempest (born Rolf Joakim Larsson), bassist Peter Olsson, and drummer Tony Reno formed the band Force. Tempest, who adopted his stage name after seeing Shakespeare’s *The Tempest* in a school library, was only 15 when he joined. The group later became Europe in 1982 to enter a TV talent contest, which they won, earning a record deal. Their early sound was rooted in heavy metal and hard rock, influenced by bands like Deep Purple and UFO. Before their breakthrough with *The Final Countdown*, Europe released two albums on the Swedish label Hot Records, but their 1985 deal with Epic Records propelled them into the global hair metal scene. The band’s slick, keyboard-driven sound and MTV-friendly look made them stand out, with *The Final Countdown* selling over 15 million copies worldwide.

Despite their association with 1980s glam metal and “poodle perms,” Europe has evolved, earning respect for their heavier, more progressive sound in later albums. They’ve partied with the likes of Guns N’ Roses and Def Leppard, as noted in a 2024 Louder article, and have maintained a loyal fanbase. You can keep up with Europe on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on sites like Last.fm and the Europe Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks might find fellow enthusiasts sharing stories and rare memorabilia. Whether it’s the song’s epic intro or the band’s enduring legacy, “The Final Countdown” remains a fist-pumping staple for rock lovers everywhere.