In times of global uncertainty, there’s a peculiar comfort to be found in what we might call “apocalyptic pop.” This genre, if we can even label it as such, has a knack for mirroring our anxieties while simultaneously offering a strange sense of solace. If you’re seeking a soundtrack for navigating the modern world, look no further than Carly Simon’s 1971 track, “Share the End.” This isn’t your typical Carly Simon hit; it’s a deep cut that resonates with a chilling prescience, making it remarkably relevant today.
“Share the End,” from Carly Simon’s album Anticipation, isn’t a song that immediately springs to mind when you think of her discography. Known for hits like “You’re So Vain” and “Nobody Does It Better,” Simon often occupies a space of sophisticated, introspective pop. However, “Share the End” reveals a darker, more satirical side to her artistry. Written with frequent collaborator Jacob Brackman, the song emerged during the tail end of the Vietnam War, a period of significant social and political turmoil in America. Yet, its themes of societal breakdown and darkly humorous acceptance of impending doom feel strikingly contemporary.
Pop music has a long history of engaging with darkness. From protest songs to melancholic ballads, artists have consistently used the genre to explore complex and often unsettling emotions. What makes “Share the End” stand out is its unique blend of theatricality and wry observation. The lyrics paint a picture of societal collapse with a detached, almost celebratory tone. Lines like “Here come the kings / let’s dispense with their apologizing / just bring on the acrobats and clowns” suggest a world weary of authority and ready for spectacle, even if that spectacle is the end itself. This sardonic acceptance of fate is both unsettling and strangely liberating. The song doesn’t preach or moralize; it simply observes, presenting the apocalypse as a shared experience, a bizarre form of collective entertainment.
Musically, “Share the End” is equally intriguing. It unfolds at a deliberate, almost stately pace, with a well-mannered choir adding to the song’s paradoxical sense of decorum amidst chaos. This controlled musicality only amplifies the lyrical themes, creating a tension that builds throughout the track. Then, in its final moments, the song breaks. Carly Simon unleashes a raw, anguished vocal – a howl that teeters between despair and laughter – before the strings return, ushering in an eerie silence. This ending is deliberately unsettling, mirroring the unpredictable nature of societal collapse and the thin line between tragedy and dark humor.
It’s this unsettling nature that likely kept “Share the End” from becoming a mainstream hit. In 1971, the charts were dominated by more conventionally upbeat fare. Yet, the song’s lack of commercial success doesn’t diminish its artistic merit. In fact, it arguably enhances it. “Share the End” exists outside the typical Carly Simon narrative, offering a glimpse into her broader artistic range and willingness to explore unconventional themes. While albums like Joni Mitchell’s Blue often receive canonical praise and are endlessly dissected by music aficionados, albums like Carly Simon’s Anticipation, which houses “Share the End,” deserve similar critical attention and appreciation. They reveal a depth and complexity that goes beyond the surface of her more famous singles.
In our current climate, where anxieties about the future are pervasive, “Share the End” feels remarkably prescient. The song’s themes of political turmoil, social unrest, and the absurd acceptance of potential disaster resonate deeply. It serves as a reminder that these fears are not new, and that artists have long grappled with them in profound and insightful ways. Carly Simon’s “Share the End” isn’t just a historical curiosity; it’s a piece of art that speaks directly to the anxieties of our time. If you’re looking for music that confronts the darkness with intelligence, wit, and a touch of gallows humor, rediscover or discover for the first time, Carly Simon’s “Share the End.” It might just be the perfect song to face whatever comes next.
