Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled by Porcupine Tree

Album: Lightbulb Sun (2000)

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In 1997, all 39 members of a cult called Heaven's Gate died in a mass suicide, believing they would transcend to become higher beings. Their leader, Marshall Applewhite, made a video before he died that explains their reasoning, and sent it to news outlets. Audio from that video is used in this song, including a famous section where Applewhite says, "If I would title this tape, it would be 'Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled.'" That line became the title of the song.
The song is separated into two parts. The first part is named "Winding Shot (Summer 1981)," and is a nostalgic look at a childhood friendship that turns romantic. The second part is "Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before it is Recycled" and includes portions of the speech from Marshall Applewhite. Both parts were written by Porcupine Tree leader Steven Wilson, and even though they're not connected at all, he wrote them together and kept them that way on the album.
Death and religion are common themes in Steven Wilson's songwriting. "Religion is always one of those things which have fascinated me in a kind of negative way," he said when explaining this track. " It's not religion that concerns me, it's not people who have spiritual beliefs, but it's the politics of religion and the commercial side of religion. Which, in some ways, is the sickest and most disturbing form of politics we have on this Earth, because it masquerades as something else. It masquerades as something, a gateway for people to happiness and to an afterlife or whatever, when in fact all it is, is just people exploiting other people weaker than themselves for the purposes of power and money. I've always found that to be a great source of inspiration for me in writing, because I tend to write about things that I don't like, rather than things that I do like." (Quote from Neural Rust.)
The song is from Porcupine Tree's sixth album, Lightbulb Sun. The group never did much marketing and promotion but earned a lot of fans via word of mouth, especially around this time when the internet was expanding. Their albums often have themes or concepts, and this one has a group of songs that deal with childhood memories. The "Winding Shot" portion of this song is among them, along with "Lightbulb Sun" and "Where We Would Be."

Comments: 9

Anwar Azad from Kerala,indiagoing to witness porcupine tree for the first time in my life!they are playing in Manchester next e.week and I'm lucky that I'm here. its gonna be a mile stone for me. they are still performing this song live. I'm gonna lose my s--t when I see Steven wilson live
Anyrrbahn from AssamWe, PT fans started a Wilson cult back in our med school hostel to celebrate the works and the vast expanse of music he has covered with his folks, everyday. We had a blast on his 50th (2017). I won't be able to stop if I started going on about it. A phase of my life is completely in congruence with Deadwing, if you know what I mean. I found a meaning to my life and a whole new perspective regarding life, death and survival with them. With all my mental and emotional might, I urge you to listen to complete PT collection (concept art courses through their veins) and of all of SW.

With lots of love from a prog-nerd, Radioactive Toy.
Snake Plissken from South Of HeavenNerd Rock at it's finest!
Katya from Bangalore, IndiaAlso, I think it's better that their following is limited to an intelligent crowd capable of understanding and appreciating their music. I would hate it if some teenager went about singing their songs just because he thought that tune was nice or the lyrics were catchy.
Katya from Bangalore, India@Rohan, Delhi - You know, when you're writing about a band that is as great Porcupine Tree, the least you can do is get the name of their album right. It's not "fear on a blank planet," it's 'Fear OF a Blank Planet.' And while Russia on Ice is absolutely fantastic, don't limit your listening of their songs to just one or two. Listen to all their albums, from the beginning, and you'll realise that they are probably the greatest band alive today. Respect them, man! This is greatness in front of you.
Rohan from Delhi, Indiai was introduced to this band by a friend and have been hooked on to it ever since. listen to the album "fear on a blank planet" and the song russia on ice. It'll blow your mind.!!!
Mary from Montreal, CanadaThis band is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm serious. Just listen to it, it's GREAT. I totally agree with Alex.
Alex from Fort Mill, ScWow this band is REALLY underrated. Without a doubt this is the best post Floyd band. As soon as I heard in Absentia I got hooked. This band cannot be described without superlatives. If youre like me and cant stand Mtv music despite the fact that all you friends love it, and miss Pink Floyd, then check out Porcupine Tree.
Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThis is an awesome song from my favourite band. The whole concept of using that cult thing is interesting.

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