Call it impeccable planning or just a funny way to mark the year’s biggest non-event – the end of the world according to the Mayan Calendar.
Calgary radio station X92.9’s playlist on Friday, which doomsday predictions pegged as the day the world would end, citing the fact that Dec. 21 is the end of the Mayan calendar, consisted of only one song, It’s The End Of The World by R.E.M.
The plucky ‘80s tune got the repeat treatment on the station’s record player, garnering praise from devout listeners and hatred from non-R.E.M. fans with no sense of humour.
And the early contender for joke of the day is X92.9. Well played. #endotheworld#x929
— Blaine (@smasterhatch) December 21, 2012
X92.9, I feel like your trying to kill me with this song, just because the world hasn't succeeded yet...
— Brittany Brown (@theotherdoubleb) December 21, 2012
And when kudos or complaints needed to be shared vocally, what callers to the station heard was a message that read, “our offices are closed according to the Mayan’s end of the world day.. for tips on surviving the end of the world, please press one. To get to know a Mayan, press two. To hear R.E.M.'s 'It's the End Of The World As We Know It,' please press three."
STORY CONTINUES AFTER THE GALLERY..
End Of The World 2012
Of course no Mayan has ever said the world would end today.. But you can't stop doomsday predictions, conspiracies and, well, fun.
According to station program director Christian Hall, the song has been playing on average 12 times an hour, a repeat cycle that’s only been broken up with the ‘Apocalypse Survival Tips’ and the ‘Get To Know a Mayan’ segments.
“The jocks have all abandoned ship and no one else around here knows how to run this joint. When our six o’clock crew left, they put the song on repeat, and our noon person never showed up,” said Hall with a laugh.
“So, unless our night person shows up.. the song is playing all day.”
Social media had some strong opinions on mono-numeric playlist.
“You are ruining my last day on Earth,” posted Brett Ludlow on Facebook.
“Stop playing R.E.M. IT’s killing me,” added Veronica Arnett.
But Twitter was much more kind.
Best thing about the #xpocalypse so far ? Getting to use my solar powered radio here in my bunker? We're still playing REM? #BESTSONGEVER NB
— X92.9 (@X929) December 21, 2012
Hahahahah everybody please listen to x92.9 today 😂
— Kim David (@kimmer_) December 21, 2012
@x929 will the end of the world party just have R.E.M. On repeat? I hope so,its been the best 5 hours!#xpocalypse#endoftheworldasweknowit
— Kyle Backiney (@KyleCanuck16) December 21, 2012
“You know, some people are quite passionate about what we play and they’re not so happy about it but then we have some other fans who are telling us they’ve been listening for the last six hours non-stop and they’re right into it and they want to out in a blaze with us,” said Hall