Like many of the other Europe members, he grew up in Stockholm suburb Upplands Väsby. His biggest idols were Thin Lizzy and Led Zeppelin. During his teens, he played in a number of bands such as Made in Hong Kong and Roxanne. At that time he alternated between playing rhythm guitar and bass, in addition to lead vocals. In 1979 he formed the band Force, together with guitarist John Norum, drummer Tony Reno and bassist Peter Olsson. Three years later, Force changed its name to Europe and won the national talent contest Rock-SM. The reward was a record deal with Hot Records.
Tempest played the keyboards on the first two Europe albums before the band decided to recruit keyboardist Mic Michaeli in April 1984. A couple of years earlier, Tempest had borrowed a keyboard from Michaeli and used it to compose the main keyboard riff in the song "The Final Countdown". After a jam session in 1985, Michaeli and Tempest co-wrote the ballad "Carrie". Later that year, Tempest wrote the soundtrack for the Swedish film On the Loose, as well as the song "Give A Helping Hand" for the benefit project Swedish Metal Aid. The song was produced by future Europe bandmate Kee Marcello. In 1986 Tempest wrote and produced the album One of a Kind for Tone Norum, John Norum's younger sister. Tempest also collaborated with John Norum on the single "We Will Be Strong" from Norum's album Face the Truth in 1992. This was Tempest and Norum's first collaboration since Norum left Europe in November 1986.
After Europe went on hiatus in 1992, Tempest released three solo albums. The first album, A Place to Call Home featured a guest appearance from John Norum on the song "Right to Respect". Several songs on the third album, Joey Tempest, were co-written by Mic Michaeli. 2004 saw the release of Europe's comeback album, Start from the Dark, featuring the band's classic Final Countdown line-up with John Norum on guitar. The follow-up, Secret Society, was released in 2006, and Last Look at Eden in 2009.
Tempest is currently living in London with his wife Lisa Worthington-Larsson and their son James Joakim.
The Final Countdown
Joey Tempest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But still its farewell
And may be we jump back
To Earth who can tell
I guess there's no one to blame
We are leaving ground (leaving ground)
But things ever be the same again
It's the final countdown
In Joey Tempest's song The Final Countdown, the lyrics describe a group of people living together but realizing that their time together has come to an end. They may never return to this moment or place again, and the possibility of returning to Earth is uncertain. Despite the uncertainty, there is a sense of acceptance in the lyrics. There is no one to blame for the situation, it just is what it is. The idea of leaving ground symbolizes leaving an old chapter behind and moving on to new experiences. However, the lyrics suggest that even though they may move on, things will never be the same again. The final countdown in the song represents the idea of preparing to move on and accepting that things are changing.
The lyrics can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context, but it is clear that they speak to the idea of change and acceptance. The focus is on acknowledging that things are changing and that it is time to move on, but also recognizing that this change may not be easy. The sense of uncertainty and finality adds to the emotional weight of the song, making it an anthem for those going through significant life changes.
Line by Line Meaning
We living together
We have been living together in harmony.
But still its farewell
Despite our togetherness, it is time to say goodbye.
And may be we jump back
We may return to our former state.
To Earth who can tell
We cannot predict if the return will be to our original home or a different place altogether.
I guess there's no one to blame
There is no rational person or circumstance to hold accountable for the current situation.
We are leaving ground (leaving ground)
We are physically departing the place we once called home.
But things ever be the same again
We cannot return to the way things were before we left.
It's the final countdown
It is our final moments and there is a sense of urgency and finality to the situation.
The final countdown
Repeated emphasis on the urgency and finality of the situation.
Writer(s): John Higgins, Joey Tempest
Contributed by Mason V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Slayer King
This song just shows the truth behind the phrase, “Your band is only as good as your first trumpet.”
Awesome Hawg
as a first trumpet i agree with this statement
Emma Resch
We played star spangled banner for the whole school. We had all 8th graders and 10 7th graders, i was only 7th grade trumpet and only girl trumpet one so…. Ya
Andrew McKinley
As first chair trumpet in a band who is 60% freshman and sophomores, this is the truth
Logan Pettipas
What if your band doesn’t have a trumpet
CJ austin
I am just gonna say this, the tuba/sousaphones sound amazing in every one of these songs. I can't believe just how good this band sounds.
Goingplaces10
agreed :)
DCIFan49
1:12 I love that harmony with the trumpets and horn. It's interupting, but somehow sounds really right.
Zek Dabeast
And saxes
Meep Monstare
We played this song with the beginning 6th, intermidiate 6th, 7th, and 8th bands combined. I was one of two kids to play the high clarinet notes in my grade. This song is SUPER fun to play!!
also
LETS GO BAND KIDS!!! 🎶🎶