Forever Young (Alphaville song)

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"Forever Young"
Single by Alphaville
from the album Forever Young
B-side"Welcome to the Sun"
Released20 September 1984
StudioStudio 54
Genre
Length
  • 3:44 (single/album version)
  • 6:06 (special dance mix)
LabelWEA
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Marian Gold
Producer(s)
  • Colin Pearson
  • Wolfgang Loos
  • Andreas Budde
Alphaville singles chronology
"Sounds Like a Melody"
(1984) 		"Forever Young"
(1984) 		"Jet Set"
(1985)
Music video
"Forever Young" (version 1)
"Forever Young" (version 2)

"Forever Young" is a song by German synth-pop band Alphaville from their 1984 debut studio album of the same name. The single was successful in Scandinavia and in the European German-speaking countries in the same year.

The single achieved more success in the United States than in the United Kingdom, but it failed to reach the American top 40 despite three separate US single releases. Though not the group's highest-charting single in Europe, "Forever Young" was one of the band's signature songs and has been covered by numerous artists. It also formed the basis of Jay-Z's song "Young Forever". "Forever Young" is written in the key of C major.[1]

In a 2022 interview, Marian Gold said that it's "a great privilege" to have "Forever Young", as well as "Big in Japan", in "their luggage" when touring, and that he is grateful to be able to perform these songs.[2]

Alphaville versions[edit]

Original 1984 version[edit]

Background and video[edit]

Intended to be an upbeat dance song, producer Andreas Budde recommended paring the song down to a sparse synth-pop ballad.[3]: 48:37 

Marian Gold originally wrote the third verse to evoke a "fascistic feeling" of the adoration of the crowd:[3]: 51:28 

Can you imagine how we won the war?
Little fascist lady she loves you so
Following her leader, she's getting in tune
The music's played by the madmen

However, for the final recording, record executives pushed for a change, resulting in:[3]: 51:49 

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders we're getting in tune
The music's played by the madmen

Gold calls the replacement "turn our golden faces into the sun" the worst lyric in the song.[3]: 52:01 

Not a native English speaker, Gold received pronunciation instruction from producer Colin Pearson.[3]: 52:55  The band had decided that the word "dance" in the first line should be pronounced /dɑːns/ in order for the song to sound British, but Gold would forget and sing the American pronunciation /dæns/.[3]: 54:20 

Originally released by Alphaville as a single in 1984, "Forever Young" was available in both its original mix and in a dance version, entitled the "Special Dance Mix". Over the years, the band has released several remixes and demo versions of the song.

In the US, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 95 in the week of 23 March 1985, peaking at number 93 the following week, before dropping off the chart following a four-week run; it also peaked at number 32 on the Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart on 30 March.[4][5][6] When re-released in 1988, the song was more successful in the US, peaking at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in a total run of 14 weeks.

The song's music video, directed by Brian Ward, shows the band performing in one of the halls at Holloway Sanatorium in Virginia Water, England. A number of people from children to the elderly, dressed in ragged finery, awake to watch the band, then walk through a diamond-shaped glowing portal.

Track listings[edit]

  • 7-inch single
  1. "Forever Young" – 3:45
  2. "Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
  • 12-inch maxi single
  1. "Forever Young" (special dance version) – 6:06
  2. "Forever Young" – 3:45
  3. "Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
  • "Welcome to the Sun" also appeared (in a remix and a re-recording) on 1999's Dreamscapes.

Other releases[edit]

The original album version has also appeared on the following official Alphaville releases:

The "Special Dance Version" and the B-side "Welcome to the Sun" were both included on so80s presents Alphaville (2014).

Other versions[edit]

This song has been released several times in various forms, including remixes and demos, on:

  • Alphaville: The Singles Collection, 1988 (remixed)
  • History, 1993 (covered live)
  • Dreamscapes, 1999 (demo, demo remix, performed live and re-recorded acoustically)
  • Little America, 1999 (performed live)
  • Stark Naked and Absolutely Live, 2000 (performed live)
  • Forever Pop, 2001 (remixed)
  • "Forever Young 2001" (see below)
  • "Forever Young The Remix", 2006 (see below)

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Forever Young"
Chart (1984–1985) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 47
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 22
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9] 62
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)[10] 18
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] 24
France (SNEP)[12] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 19
Norway (VG-lista)[15] 3
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[16] 7
Spain (AFYVE)[17] 14
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 98
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 65[a]
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[21] 32
West Germany (Official German Charts)[22] 4

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Forever Young"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[23] Gold 45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[24] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[25] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Silver 200,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Forever Young 2001[edit]

In 2001, Alphaville released a new set of remixes in a "limited fan edition" called "Forever Young 2001". This single contained three music tracks, one spoken word track, and a PC-only track.

This CD was released to fans for free, only postage needed to be paid. The names of every fan who had requested a copy were printed on the inside cover. Copies were hand-signed by the band. The remixes that appear on the single have not appeared on other releases.

The cover is a still image from the video, which was created by The Cartoon Saloon.

Track listings[edit]

CD single

  1. "Forever Young" (F.A.F's Diamonds in the Sun Mix) – 3:56
    • Remixed by: F.A.F
  2. "Forever Young" (Factory Mix) – 4:21
    • Remixed by: José Alvarez-Brill
  3. "Forever Young" (Original Demo 1983) – 4:43
  4. "Thank You" (Spoken Version) – 3:44
  5. "Forever Young" (Magix PlayR) (PC only)
  • The "Thank You" track consisted of then-member Bernard Lloyd thanking the fans, while speaking over one of his "favorite tracks," which was a remix of "Lassie Come Home," as it was to appear on the 2001 remix album Forever Pop.
  • The Magix PlayR track was a PC-only application that allowed fans to customize the FAF remix to their liking.

CD promo single

  1. "Forever Young (F.A.F's Diamonds in the Sun Mix)" — 3:56
  • This promotional CD was produced in a strictly limited run of 500 copies and not sold commercially.[27]

Forever Young the Remix[edit]

Released in 2006, this CD contains two new remixes by notable remix artist Bill Hamel. It also includes a digitally remastered version of the original album version of the song. The remix reached number 31 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, peaking higher than the original version in 1986, which only charted at number 47.[28]

Track listing[edit]

CD single

  1. "Forever Young" (Hamel album mix) – 4:58
  2. "Forever Young" (Bill Hamel club mix) – 7:39
  3. "Forever Young" (remastered original version) – 3:47

Interactive version[edit]

"Forever Young"
Single by Interactive
Released1994
GenreDance
Length3:40
Label
  • Blow Up
  • Intercord
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • A. Schneider
  • J. Lissat
  • R. Zenker
Interactive singles chronology
"Can You Hear Me Calling"
(1994) 		"Forever Young"
(1994) 		"Living Without Your Love"
(1995)
Music video
"Forever Young" on YouTube

In 1994, German electronic group Interactive released a cover of "Forever Young" which reached number seven in Germany and number ten in both Denmark and the Netherlands. It also made the top 20 in five other countries and on the Eurochart Hot 100, the song reached number 34. This electronic dance version does not contain most of the song's lyrics and only includes a slightly modified chorus as the sole vocals. In 2002, German DJ and music producer Kosmonova remixed their version of "Forever Young". The remix peaked at number 21 in Germany and number 37 in the UK.

Music video[edit]

The music video for "Forever Young" was directed by Basil Schlegel.[29] It features kids attending and partying in a night club.

Track listing[edit]

  • CD maxi (Germany)
  1. "Forever Young" (Radio Edit) - 3:40
  2. "Forever Young" (Extended Version) - 5:59
  3. "Mobilé" - 5:04
  4. "Waves of Balah" - 5:44

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] Gold 35,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Youth Group version[edit]

"Forever Young"
Single by Youth Group
from the album Casino Twilight Dogs
Released6 March 2006 (2006-03-06)[47]
Recorded2005
Length4:33
LabelIvy League
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Youth Group singles chronology
"Baby Body"
(2004) 		"Forever Young"
(2006) 		"Catching and Killing"
(2006)

In 2005, Australian rock band Youth Group were asked by the producers of the American television series The O.C. to record a version of "Forever Young" for use in the show, following a positive response to the use of their single "Shadowland" in a previous episode. Their version of "Forever Young" was used in the show and the show's trailers and was included on the soundtrack album Music from the OC: Mix 5. Released as a single in Australia on 6 March 2006, the song reached number one on the ARIA Singles Chart for two weeks. The track was included on Youth Group's third studio album, Casino Twilight Dogs, released later that year.

Track listing[edit]

Australian CD single[48]

  1. "Forever Young" – 4:33
  2. "Someone Else's Dream" – 2:36
  3. "Forever Young" (edit) – 3:26

Charts[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Forever Young"
Chart (2006–2009) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[49] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[50] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] 44
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[52] 10
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[53] 76
Year-end chart performance for "Forever Young"
Chart (2006) Position
Australia (ARIA)[54] 7

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Forever Young"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[55] 5× Platinum 350,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cash Cash version[edit]

"Forever Young"
Single by Cash Cash
Released8 March 2010
GenrePop rock • pop punk
Length3:39
LabelUniversal
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Cash Cash
Cash Cash singles chronology
"Everytime We Touch"
(2010) 		"Forever Young"
(2010) 		"Red Cup (I Fly Solo)"
(2021)

In 2010, American electronic music group Cash Cash released a cover of the song. It was released on 8 March 2010 through Universal Records.[56][57] The song was serviced to radio in the United States on 12 May 2010.[58]

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[59]

Music video[edit]

A music video for the song was released via YouTube on 29 June 2010.[60] As of 2014, the video has since been removed.[61]

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Forever Young"
Chart (2010) Peak
position
US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[62] 34

Becky Hill version[edit]

"Forever Young"
Single by Becky Hill
Released13 November 2020
Recorded2020
StudioSarm West (London)
Length2:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Charlie Hugall
Becky Hill singles chronology
"Space"
(2020) 		"Forever Young"
(2020) 		"Wake Up With You"
(2021)

In 2020, British singer Becky Hill released a cover version of the song. It was released on 13 November 2020 by Polydor Records and Eko Records.[63] The song was selected as the soundtrack to the 2020 McDonald's Christmas advert in the UK.

Background[edit]

The song raised money for FareShare, in which McDonald's donated five million meals for charity. Hill also donated 10p from every download, going to food charity FareShare.[64] She said on her Twitter account, "'forever young' is bigger than just a nice christmas advert & song. @mcdonaldsuk has committed to funding @fareshareuk to redistribute over 5 million meals by April 2021 to families in need. at least 10p of every download goes towards a great cause. no child should be hungry".[65]

Personnel[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[66]

  • Charlie Hugall – producer, mixer, recording engineer, studio personnel
  • Bernhard Lloyd – composer
  • Frank Mertens – composer
  • Marian Gold – composer, lyricist
  • Adam Rust – associated performer, keyboards
  • Becky Hill – associated performer, vocals
  • Matt Colton – mastering engineer, studio personnel

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "Forever Young"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[67] 35

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Other versions and samples[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ The song peaked on the Hot 100 at number 93 in 1985 and number 65 in 1988.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Marian, Gold; Frank, Mertens; Bernhard, Lloyd; Alphaville (9 November 2012). "Forever Young". Music Notes. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  2. ^ Pingitore, Silvia (12 September 2022). "Interview with Alphaville's Marian Gold about Forever Young". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Christopher Müller. Never Grow Up - The Story of Forever Young (video documentary). Warner Music Group Germany Holding, 2019.
  4. ^ "Hot 100." Billboard. 97.12 (23 March 1985). p. 68. ISSN 0006-2510
  5. ^ "Hot 100." Billboard. 97.15 (13 April 1985). p. 68. ISSN 0006-2510
  6. ^ Alphaville. "Alphaville | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0539." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  10. ^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 1, no. 36. 3 December 1984. p. 11. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  12. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alphaville" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young". VG-lista. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  16. ^ Samson, John (October 2000). "South African Charts 1969-1989: Artists (A)". Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  17. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  18. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Alphaville – Forever Young". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Alphaville: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Alphaville | Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Alphaville – Forever Young" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  23. ^ "Danish single certifications – Alphaville – Forever Young". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alphaville; 'Forever Young')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  25. ^ "Italian single certifications – Alphaville – Forever Young" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 23 July 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Forever Young" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  26. ^ "British single certifications – Alphaville – Forever Young". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  27. ^ "Welcome to Moonbase - Alphaville's official web site". www.alphaville.de.
  28. ^ Alphaville: Forever Young Charts, retrieved 23 October 2013
  29. ^ "Interactive Forever young VIVA VHS". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  30. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  32. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  33. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 12. 25 March 1995. p. 17. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  34. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 9. 4 March 1995. p. 22. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  35. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  36. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Interactive" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  38. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  40. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  41. ^ "Interactive – Forever Young". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  42. ^ "Interactive: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  44. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 137.
  45. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  46. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  47. ^ "New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 6th March 2006" (PDF). The ARIA Report. No. 835. 6 March 2006. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  48. ^ Forever Young (Australian CD single liner notes). Youth Group. Ivy League Records. 2006. IVY041.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  49. ^ "Youth Group – Forever Young". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  50. ^ "Youth Group – Forever Young". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  51. ^ "Youth Group – Forever Young" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  52. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. 1 April 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  53. ^ "Pop 100". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 49. 3 December 2005. p. 52.
  54. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  56. ^ "Cash Cash - Forever Young". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  57. ^ "Forever Young - Single by Cash Cash". Apple Music. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  58. ^ @CashCash (4 November 2010). "Hey awesome news!! @AOLRadio has added our song "Forever Young" the the [sic] New Pop First station!! Tweet about it and vote for the song!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  59. ^ "Forever Young - Cash Cash Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  60. ^ "Cash Cash - Forever Young (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 January 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  61. ^ "Cash Cash - Forever Young (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  62. ^ "Cash Cash Chart History (Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  63. ^ "Forever Young (From The McDonald's Christmas Advert 2020) - Single by Becky Hill". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  64. ^ "McDonald's Christmas advert 2020: Who sings 'Forever Young' in the festive..." Smooth Radio. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  65. ^ "Becky Hill on Twitter". Twitter. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  66. ^ "Credits / Forever Young (From The McDonald's Christmas Advert 2020) / Becky Hill – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  67. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  68. ^ "British single certifications – Becky Hill – Forever Young". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  69. ^ Farväl at Swedish Media Database.
  70. ^ I mitvintertid at Swedish Media Database.
  71. ^ "Für immer jung by Karel Gott". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  72. ^ "MR HUDSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  73. ^ "swedishcharts.com - Undressd - Forever Young". swedishcharts.com.
  74. ^ Arora, Akhil (24 April 2019). "Watch Will Smith Fight Himself in the First Trailer for Gemini Man". NDTV Gadgets 360. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  75. ^ Duarte, Dylan (13 December 2019). "Amazon Game Studios' Upcoming MMO New World Scheduled For a May 2020 PC Launch". HappyGamer. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  76. ^ "Christmas advert made for £100 stars two-year-old Arthur". BBC News. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  77. ^ "The £100 Christmas ad that blows John Lewis out of the water". the Guardian. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  78. ^ "Anastacia – Our Songs". Retro Pop Magazine. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Forever_Young_(Alphaville_song)&oldid=1215941743"