<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> file </Li> <Li> help </Li> </Ul> <P> "The Final Countdown" is a song by Swedish rock band Europe, released in 1986 . Written by Joey Tempest, it was based on a keyboard riff he made from the early' 80s and inspired by David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Originally made to just be a concert opener, it's the first single from the band's third studio album, also named The Final Countdown . The song reached number one in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, and was certified gold in that country in 1986 . In the United States, the song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart . A music video by Nick Morris was made to promote the single that features footage from the band's two concerts at the Solnahallen in Solna, as well as extra footage of the sound checks at said concerts . </P> <P> The song was based on a keyboard riff which Joey Tempest had written, as early as 1981 or 1982, on a Korg Polysix keyboard which he had borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli . In 1985, bassist John Levén suggested that Tempest should write a song based on that riff . Tempest recorded a demo version of the song and played it for the other band members . At first, the members expressed mixed reactions to it, including guitarist John Norum who was put off by the synth intro but said that he was glad they didn't listen to him . Tempest described their uncertainty: "Some of the guys in the band thought it was too different for a rock band . But in the end I fought hard to make sure it got used ." </P>

Who sang the song it's the final countdown