Hello! Below you'll find my "Apocalypse" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Cigarettes After Sex is beautiful and haunting - and quite relaxing to play! The recording is guitar driven, but it translates well to piano.
Enjoy!
Apocalypse Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Apocalypse:
Apocalypse Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| F | Dm | Am | C6 | x2
| F | Dm | Am | C6 | x2
[Verse 1]
F
You leapt from crumbling bridges watching
Dm Am C
Cityscapes turn to dust
F Dm
Filming helicopters crashing in the ocean
F Dm
Filming helicopters crashing in the ocean
Am C
From way above
[Chorus 1]
Bb F
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb Dm
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb
You've been locked in here forever and
C6 F C6
You just can't say goodbye
[Verse 2]
F Dm
Kisses on the foreheads of the lovers
Am C
Wrapped in your arms
F
You've been hiding them in hollowed out
F
You've been hiding them in hollowed out
Dm Am C
Pianos left in the dark
[Chorus 2]
Bb F
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb Dm
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb
You've been locked in here forever and
C6 F
You just can't say goodbye
[Bridge]
Gm Fmaj7
Your lips, My lips, Apocalypse
Gm Fmaj7
Your lips, My lips, Apocalypse
Bb
Go and sneak us through the rivers
Gm F Dm
Flood is rising up on your knees, oh please
Gm
Come out and haunt me I know you want me
C
Come out and haunt me
Come out and haunt me I know you want me
C
Come out and haunt me
[Verse 3]
F Dm
Sharing all your secrets with each other
Am C6
Since you were kids
F Dm
Sleeping soundly with the locket
F Dm
Sleeping soundly with the locket
Am C6
That she gave you clutched in your fist
[Chorus 3]
Bb F
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb Dm
Got the music in you baby, tell me why
Bb C6
You've been locked in here forever and you just
F
Can't say goodbye
[Chorus 4]
| Bb | F | Bb | F |
Bb
You've been locked in here forever and
C6 F (hold for 2 measures)
You just can't say goodbye
[Outro]
| F | Dm | Am | C6 | x2
F Dm Am
On your own... when you're all alone
C6 F
I will reach for you
Dm Am C6
When you're feeling low I will be there too
| F | Dm | Am | C6 | x2
| F |
| F |
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Apocalypse Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Apocalypse" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Apocalypse" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
