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Musicians with songs that explore the afterlife include Arcade Fire, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, Julia Michaels, and Tyler Childers among others.

What happens after we die?  That is a question that has been asked time and time again.  Those who subscribe to Christianity or Catholicism believe in an afterlife.  Those who aren’t too keen on religious things tend to believe that, well, nothing happens.

Regardless of your stance, the afterlife has been covered throughout musically historically, and remains a prevalent topic in the 2010s. This playlist, comprised of 11 songs, explores the afterlife, with songs examining heaven, hell, purgatory, and a potentially disappointing eternity.  Artists that grace this post-land-of-the-living affair include Arcade Fire, David Bowie, Iron Maiden, Julia Michaels, and Tyler Childers.

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1. Julia Michaels, “Heaven”

Fifty Shades Freed • Republic • 2018

“Love’s my religion / But he was my faith / Something so sacred / So hard to replace.” Grammy-nominated pop singer-songwriter Julia Michaels gets heavenly with “Heaven”.  “Heaven” commences enigmatically – there’s a ‘sketchiness.’ The vibe of this record fits the perception and sensibilities of the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.  Vocally she sings expressively, showcasing the beauty of her voice sans over-singing. The production keeps things light – a selling point. Another selling point is the memorable chorus.

“No need to imagine
‘Cause I know it’s true
They say ‘all good boys go to heaven’
But bad boys bring Heaven to you
It’s automatic
It’s just what they do
They say ‘all good boys go to heaven’
But bad boys bring heaven to you.”

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2. Juicy J, “Hot as Hell”

Rubba Band Business • Columbia • 2017 

“I’m hot as hell (I’m hot as hell) … I’m hot as hell on these streets, I’m hot as hell… I put extensions on my bitch, she hot as hell (she hot as hell).” Oh, Juicy J, never, ever change.  Just as he spits on the excerpts from the hook, “Hot as Hell” (Rubba Band Business) is indeed hot as hell, at least the vibe.  The hook is hella simple, but gets stuck in your head instantly. The piano loop is hypnotizing, while the bass-heavy, trap percussion goes H.A.M.  This is a perfect example of a banger with ‘little substance’ that’s simply irresistible because it’s just that good.  Does Juicy J really explore the heat of hell? No, the afterlife isn’t really on his radar – it’s merely the heat he generates because ‘he’s the man.’

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3. David Bowie, “Lazarus”

Blackstar • Columbia • 2016

“Lazarus” may lack an explicit ‘afterlife’ within its title, but don’t get it twisted – David Bowie was thinking heaven on this one.  On the first verse of this chilling farewell to the world, Bowie sings, “Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen / I’ve got drama can’t be stolen / Everybody knows me now.” Listening to the record is an experience in itself, but the music video – man it’s chilling.  Of course, Lazarus was the famous Biblical character that Jesus resurrected from the dead.  Also, worth noting, David Bowie doesn’t explicitly name Lazarus in the song, which was written for an Off-Broadway production.

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4. Tyler Childers, “Purgatory”

Purgatory • Hickman Holler • 2017

“Catholic girl, pray for me / You’re my only hope for Heaven.” Well, ‘hell,’ that ain’t good Tyler Childers, sigh. The up-tempo bluegrass-styled country record “Purgatory” serves as the title track from the Kentucky musician’s 2017 debut album.  Sure, I played around with words when mentioning ‘hell’ earlier, mainly because in many Christian religions, you either rewarded in heaven, or are damned to hell.  In Catholicism, there’s also Purgatory.

Purgatory is defined by Encyclopædia Britannica as “the condition, process, or place of purification or temporary punishment in which, according to medieval Christian and Roman Catholic belief, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for heaven.” Essentially, Tyler Childers is squarely in the middle, and quite possibly closer to the fiery pit without his Catholic girl. “I know that hell / Is just as real as I’m surely breathin’,” he sings, continuing, “But I’ve heard tale / Of a middle ground, I think will work for me.”

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5. Fall Out Boy, “Heaven’s Gate”

M A N I A • Island • 2018

“Would you give me, give me, give me, give me a boost / A boost over heaven’s gate, yeah / … ‘Cause everything else is a substitute for your love.” M A N I A, the seventh studio album by Fall Out Boy, wasn’t the most well-received album by the collective. Nonetheless, the LP has its share of moments including the soulful “Heaven’s Gate.”  Contextually, “Heaven’s Gate” follows another ‘spiritual’ number, “Church,” ultimately contrasting everything in the Fall Out Boy catalogue up to this point.  Call this Patrick Stump’s stab at R&B within the band (he already done that himself with his solo album, Soul Punk).  It’s not soul-saving, spiritual food, but it definitely nourishes the ears.  Does God sit upon a throne on this celestial track? Meh – he has bigger fish to fry and better things to do.

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6. Arcade Fire, “Afterlife”

Reflektor • Arcade Fire • 2013

“Afterlife, oh my God, what an awful world / After all the breath and the dirt and the fires are burnt.” While Everything Now (2017) had its fair share of moments, Arcade Fire had a stronger project four years prior with their Grammy-nominated double album, Reflektor.  While the title track earned the most buzz for the project, single “Afterlife” was another compelling and fantastic moment from Reflektor.

Appearing on the second disc of the LP, contextually, “Afterlife” has a variety of meanings.  For one, it can be tied to the Eurydice and Orpheus storyline that’s prevalent on the second disc.  “Can we work it out? / We scream and shout ‘til we work it out?” Win Butler sings on the chorus.  He’s backed by his wife and fellow bandmate, Régine Chassagne.   While the chorus can fit old-school, mythological tales involving underworld (Genius cites Dido and Aeneas), the lyrics feel wide-open. Afterlife is best examined loosely here, not only focusing on mortality, but also love and relationships. After all, “It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife / It’s just an afterlife with you.”

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7. Plan B, “Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Looks”

Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose • 679 • 2018

“They sold us a dream, the one they know that won’t come true / And when we question what they tell us / They run right back out of view.” British alt-R&B/hip-hop musician Plan B (Ben Drew) brings mad soul and energy on “Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose.” Fittingly, “Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose” is the title track on his 2018 LP.  The premise of this record? Enjoy the heavenly aspects of life before things get hellishly bad, or something like that.

“Heaven before all hell breaks loose
Let’s just enjoy ourselves while we still got it good
Throwing heaven on Earth, it’s true
Be sure that hell is too.”

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8. Marilyn Manson, “Heaven Upside Down”

Heaven Upside Down • Loma Vista • 2017

“I can hear the scream of trumpets / Smell the ash and sulfur / Talons of battalions scratch at the sky / Like black feathers and scorpion eyes.” Marilyn Manson, the ripest of shock rockers, dropped an exhilarating tenth studio album in 2017, Heaven Upside Down.  Despite being past his most lucrative prime, Brian Hugh Warner does his best to keep the controversy alive and well.

There’s plenty to love about Heaven Upside Down, including “Heaven Upside Down” the song.  Arriving as the penultimate track in the context of the album, “Heaven…” has a tough act to follow after “Blood Honey.” While it’s not quite as thrilling as the crème de la crème, it’s consistent and enjoyable – in the most damning way possible.  Yeah, this one’s not very heavenly or angelic to be honest… “Hold my hand and spin around / This is heaven upside down…”

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9. Brian Fallon, “If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven”

Sleepwalkers • Island • 2018

“If your prayers don’t get to heaven, I’m gon’ keep them safe for you.” Brian Fallon, the frontman of rock band The Gaslight Anthem, dropped his sophomore solo album, Sleepwalkers, in February 2018.  Among the standouts is the old-school, soulful opener, “If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven”.

Is the scenario suggested by the song title even possible? Perhaps Fallon’s faith is doubtful, but there’s nothing to doubt about the song. “If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven” is chocked-full of goodness thanks to an electric groove, distinct, nuanced vocals, and enthralling, thoughtful songwriting. Surely those prayers are going to reach the Most High.

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10. Brand New, “Could Never Be Heaven”

Science Fiction • Procrastinate! Music Traitors • 2017

“I have no heart, I have no brain / Lord I have no courage / Can you get me home again?” Brand New made a comeback in 2017, self-releasing their new album, Science Fiction.  It worked out well for them, as the band scored its first no. 1 album.  “Could Never Be Heaven” isn’t a bold denouncement of religion or God, but there’s clear skepticism.  Most of it is due to clever mentions of God, but they aren’t necessarily petitioning or praising contextually.  On the second verse, frontman Jesse Lacey sings, “I was drowning in the lake, damned…/ The deeper I sank, the less I died.”

Telling, but the state of God and heavenly existence is covered more later:

“The whale is well-rehearsed
Swimming in circles in the church
A cardinalfish says, ‘God is dead’
The whale sales, ‘Get out of my head
Get out of my head
Get out of my head.’”

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11. Iron Maiden, “If Eternity Should Fail”

The Book of Souls • Sanctuary • 2015

“Reef in a sail at the edge of the world / If eternity should fail / Waiting in line for the end of time / If eternity should fail.” Who better than a heavy metal band to dabble in matters of the afterlife? Well God would be the first choice likely, but veteran band Iron Maiden bring some skepticism to the table.  Speaking of God, um, Bruce Dickinson and company seem to eliminate him out of the equation… “To god’s illusion which I recall / Was our delusion before the fall,” Dickinson sings on the second verse, continuing, “The angels come and the angels go / But the lord of light shining below.”

Poetic, dark, damning, but there’s some worthwhile points in Dickinson’s lyrics. “Eternal blackness beyond the stars / We think our wisdom will get that far / At the master’s table, the table’s bare / No land of plenty, devastation, despair.” Dickinson’s lyrics suggest humans will be disappointed to find nothingness in the end, hence, “If Eternity Should Fail.”

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Photo Credits: 679, Arcade Fire, Columbia, Hickman Holler, Island, Loma Vista, Pixabay, Procrastinate! Music Traitors, Republic, Sanctuary

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