In 1968 Nebraskans Denny Zager and Rick Evans, as the rock group Zager & Evans, recorded the darkly prophetic In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus). Considered one of the most famous “one hit wonders” in U.S. recording history, it topped Billboard’s Top 40 chart for six weeks during the summer of 1969. Billboard later declared it the Record of the Year for 1969.
LYRICS
In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may find
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 4545
You ain’t gonna need your teeth, won’t need your eyes
You won’t find a thing to chew
Nobody’s gonna look at you
In the year 5555
Your arms are hanging limp at your sides
Your legs got nothing to do
Some machine’s doing that for you
In the year 6565
You won’t need no husband, won’t need no wife
You’ll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube
In the year 7510
If God’s a-coming, He oughta make it by then
Maybe He’ll look around Himself and say
“Guess it’s time for the judgement day”
In the year 8510
God is gonna shake His mighty head
He’ll either say “I’m pleased where man has been”
Or tear it down, and start again
In the year 9595
I’m kinda wondering if man is gonna be alive
He’s taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain’t put back nothing
Now it’s been ten thousand years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what, he never knew
Now man’s reign is through
But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe it’s only yesterday
