Apocalypse (Cigarettes After Sex song)

"Apocalypse" is a song by American band Cigarettes After Sex, released as the second single from their debut album Cigarettes After Sex on March 21, 2017. It was written and produced by vocalist Greg Gonzalez. It did not chart internationally until 2022, following its use in TikTok trends. The song, as of November 26, 2023, has amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify.

Background and composition

"Apocalypse" is a slowcore song. Gonzalez was inspired to write the song after he and two women he had dated had "big ambitions" but were "stuck" in their hometown, which felt "impossible" to get out of. Gonzalez then moved to New York City, but the two women remained in their hometown. He said the song is ultimately "about being there for people, when you're all alone. It was like a little affectionate statement to them."

Release

"Apocalypse" was released on March 21, 2017, as part of the band's 2017 self-titled debut album. The song went viral in 2022, following its use on a TikTok trend where a childhood photograph is used to remind one to be kinder to theirselves.

Charts

Weekly chart

Year-end charts

Certifications

References