At times in 2016–many, many times–it felt like the whole world might come to an end. It didn’t/hasn’t/(probably) won’t, but it certainly was a challenging-enough 12Â months that this year poses a unique kind of challenge when trying to find the right kind of musical send off for it. Fortunately Stephen Colbert was joined by Michael Stipe on The Late Show for a very apropos adaptation of an R.E.M. classic, which is why they bid the year adieu with a duet titled “It’s The End of the Year As We Know It.”
A takeoff of the iconic R.E.M. hit “It’s The End of the World As We Know It,” the two sang their way through the many incredible, surreal, and awful events of the year. And yes, of course they mentioned Harambe. (We should have known then what we were in for!) While Stipe, who has apparently morphed into the exact same person as David Cross these days, didn’t contribute vocals until the end (man, he still has a great voice), he did offer some absolutely perfect comedic timing about how nothing is fine.
Oh, and you know how James Franco is basically everywhere and in everything? He showed up too. Why not, right? If the world were to end, the only one who would be around to discuss it with the cockroaches would be James Franco eating a Twinkie.
So we’re almost at the end of this horror movie. Unfortunately the sequel will probably be even gorier. But if we get another version of this song at the end of 2017, at least we’ll know the world didn’t end.
And hopefully we will be fine.
What was your favorite lyric from this song? We’ll be fine if you tell us in the comments below.
Images: CBS
