I put together a little list of what I feel are the ten most popular Survival Songs. All of them relate to survival and the apocalypse. This list is pretty varied from many music genres. I had trouble stopping the list at ten survival songs. I could have kept going. So I might throw in some honorable mentions at the end.
Even though the list is eclectic the survival songs are enjoyable. I have 80’s pop, classic rock and country music on the list. Even though I was born and raised in Nashville I can’t stand country music. Not to say I have never heard a country song I like. It is rare though.
Many of these survival songs are old. Older than me and many of you. They all have a timeless feel though. They are as relevant today as they were when recorded. The lessons they provide still as important. Most importantly these survival songs are entertaining. You might not love them all like me but you will be able to listen to them all.
Musician Henry Rollins
Survival Songs
People always gravitate to music that reflects their personalities. They want to hear about what they like. I like punk music because they are anarchist and don’t need the government. Well the ones I like anyway. I also like songs that deal with apocalyptic themes. Survival Songs that have lessons I can pull from them. I have a few favorite I’ll share with you today.
#10 Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
First up on our Survival songs list is Won’t Get Fooled Again by The Who. This song is about a revolution. Not letting politicians ruin things again after. How things are not always the way you want them. Revolutions are messy. Unpredictable. While researching the list I came across a funny fact. Pete Townshend refused to let director Michael Moore use it for the credits of Fahrenheit 9/11 stating that ” “Once I had an idea what the film was about, I was 90% certain my song was not right for them.” .
#9 Silent Running – Mike and The Mechanics
Coming in at number nine of the survival songs is Silent Running by Mike and The Mechanics. Imagine if during a collapse you could send a message back in time. A warning to your family. Urging them to take precautions. What would you give to warn your family. Survival songs often are creepy. This one is definitely creepy. It is also very catchy.
#8 All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan
Eight is Bob Dylan with his All Along the Watchtower. The greatest songs are all ambiguous. Their true meaning left up to the listener’s imagination. This is one of those songs. I read many ideas about it. From the government stealing from the working class. To biblical metaphors. I hear in the song survivors of a collapse. Guarding their compound from a warlord. A warlord that takes all the resources. But I see dystopian waste lands everywhere.
#7 It’s the End of The World as We Know It – R.E.M
No apocalypse survival song list would be complete without R.E.M’s It’s the End of The World as We Know It. This is the quintessential apocalypse movie song. It also makes me think of preppers. Those that prepare for the TEOTWAWKI. For us knowing that we have done all we can do. It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
#6 99 Luftballons – Nena
Survival Song number six we have a childhood favorite of mine with Nena’s 99 Luftballons. Which I did not realize until adulthood is about nuclear bombs. In the 80’s with the cold war going on people were afraid of nuclear war. The threat of life becoming extinct was real. It’s hard to even imagine the mindset now. I prefer the original German version but you can listen to the English version if you actually care what she is singing about.
#5 The Final Countdown – Europe
Fifth on the survival songs list is The Final Countdown by Europe. This song makes me want to trade in the camo for spandex and hairspray. It alludes to a future where leaving earth is a necessity. I see the planet uninhabitable. Mankind has terraformed Venus and we must leave Earth. The people leaving are not sure if they will ever be able to return.
#4 Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
Fourth is The Rolling Stones with Gimme Shelter. The song speaks of violence and turmoil. Gimme Shelter is about the Vietnam War. It speaks to all conflicts though. Shelter is important from the elements and the violence.
#3 London’s Burning – The Clash
Third is one of my favorite bands The Clash with London’s Burning. This really is an apocalyptic song. detailing the many ways the world could end, including the coming of the ice age, starvation, and war. Like others on this Survival songs list this was an 80’s song. The nuclear threat comes up again. Also funny to note they talk about a coming ice age. In the 80’s scientist thought an ice age was returning. Before they took up global warming. Now the cooling is going to make a comeback.
#2 Midnight Rider – The Allman Brothers.
The next survival song is Midnight Rider by The Allman Brothers. I like the folk elements in this song. The message of this song is in continuing on in the face of obstacles. I also like that he has silver dollars. I can see being on the run during a collapse and using silver for barter.
#1 A Country Boy Can Survive – Hank Williams Jr
Number one on the survival songs list is A Country Boy Can Survive by Hank Williams Jr. This is one of the very few songs I like that are country music. The song describes what country life is like. It speaks of the world ending. He is not worried though. Hank goes through all the ways that he can survive. It sounds more like thriving.
Let me know in the comments what you would put on the list. This was definitely hard to limit to only ten and not top 100! Maybe I’ll have a part two one day
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