Forever Young (Alphaville song)

"Forever Young" is a song from German synthpop recording act Alphaville's 1984 debut album of the same name. The single was a strong hit in Scandinavia and in the European German-speaking countries in the same year.

See also: Forever Young (Bob Dylan song)
"Forever Young"
Single by Alphaville
from the album Forever Young
B-side"Welcome to the Sun"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 1984
StudioStudio 54
Genre
Length3:44
LabelWEA
Songwriter(s)
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" (Ver. 1)
"Forever Young" (Ver. 2)

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 European hit, "Forever Young" became one of the band's signature songs and has subsequently been covered by numerous artists.

Alphaville versions

Background and video

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.

The single reached number 65th position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the top 40 on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/ Club Play Singles.[1]

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

Track listings

7-inch single

  1. "Forever Young" – 3:45
  2. "Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09

12-inch maxi

  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

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 2014's so80s presents Alphaville.

Other versions

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

Sales and certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[13] Gold 45,000
Germany (BVMI)[14] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[15] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Silver 200,000

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

Forever Young 2001

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

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.[17]

Forever Young the Remix

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.[18]

Track listing

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
"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 which reached number 7 in Germany, number 10 in 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. It peaked at number 21 in Germany and number 37 in the UK.

Music video

The music video for "Forever Young" was directed by Basil Schlegel.[19] It features kids attending and partying in a night club.

Track listing
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 and sales

Youth Group version
"Forever Young"
Single by Youth Group
from the album Casino Twilight Dogs
Released27 February 2006
Recorded2005
GenreIndie rock
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. A single release in Australia reached number 1 on the ARIA Charts. The song was included on their album Casino Twilight Dogs, released later that year.

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

Weekly charts
Chart (2006) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 7
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] 44
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[33] 10
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[33] 76

Year-end charts
Chart (2006) Position
Australia (ARIA)[34] 7

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] 4× Platinum 280,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Becky Hill version
"Forever Young"
Single by Becky Hill
Released13 November 2020
Recorded2020
StudioSarm West Studios, London
Length2:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Charlie Hugall
Becky Hill singles chronology
"Space"
(2020)		 "Forever Young"
(2020)

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.[36] The song was selected as the soundtrack to the 2020 McDonald's Christmas advert in the UK.

Background

The song will raise money for FareShare, which will see McDonald's donating five million meals for charity. Hill will also be donating 10p from every download, going to food charity FareShare.[37] 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".[38]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[39]

  • 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
Chart (2020–2021) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[40] 35

Cover versions and samples
  • In 1989, reggae artist Wayne Wonder released a cover version that achieved some popularity in Jamaica. A recording of Wonder's version was released on the Alphaville Fan Club release History (1993).
  • In 1993, German heavy metal guitar player Axel Rudi Pell covered "Forever Young" on his album The Ballads, and also released as a single.
  • In 2009, American hip hop artist Jay Z sampled a reworked 1992 version of the Wayne Wonder cover (which now featured Buju Banton & Stone Love) for his album The Blueprint 3. Retitled "Young Forever", Jay Z's rap version featured Mr Hudson and reached Number 10 in the UK Singles Chart.[41]
  • In 2019, Undressd released a cover that charted in Sweden peaking at #44 on Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart.[42]
  • At the end of 2019, a version of the song, sung by American singer-songwriter Andrea von Kampen, was recorded for the Hafod Hardware Christmas advert.[43][44]

References
  1. Alphaville. "Alphaville | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. "Forever Young", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 24, 2008)
  4. "RPM 100 Singles - June 22nd, 1985" (Retrieved January 3rd, 2019)
  5. Dutch Top 40 Radio538.nl Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved September 21, 2008)
  6. German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de Archived May 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved August 4, 2008)
  7. "Notowanie nr 134" (in Polish). 10 November 1984. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  8. South African Springbok Top 20 (Retrieved August 13, 2017)
  9. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  10. UK Singles Chart
  11. "Alphaville Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  12. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved August 4, 2008)
  13. "Danish single certifications – Alphaville – Forever Young". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  14. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alphaville; 'Forever Young')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  15. "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 online" under "Sezione".
  16. "British single certifications – Alphaville – Forever Young". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  17. Alphaville discography
  18. Alphaville: Forever Young Charts, retrieved 23 October 2013
  19. "Interactive Forever young VIVA VHS". YouTube. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  20. "Austriancharts.at – Interactive – Forever Young" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  21. "Ultratop.be – Interactive – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  22. Danish Singles Chart 10 March 1995
  23. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  24. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Interactive" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  25. "Dutchcharts.nl – Interactive – Forever Young" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  26. "Swedishcharts.com – Interactive – Forever Young". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  27. "Swisscharts.com – Interactive – Forever Young". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  28. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  29. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  30. "Australian-charts.com – Youth Group – Forever Young". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  31. "Charts.nz – Youth Group – Forever Young". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  32. "Spanishcharts.com – Youth Group – Forever Young" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  33. "Chart Search: Youth Group". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  34. "ARIA End of Year Singles Chart 2006". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  35. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  36. "Forever Young (From The McDonald's Christmas Advert 2020) - Single by Becky Hill". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  37. "McDonald's Christmas advert 2020: Who sings 'Forever Young' in the festive..." Smooth Radio. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  38. "Becky Hill on Twitter". Twitter. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  39. "Credits / Forever Young (From The McDonald's Christmas Advert 2020) / Becky Hill – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  40. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  41. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5868/mr-hudson/
  42. SwedishCharts.com: UNDRESSD - "Forever Young" page
  43. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50658677
  44. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/dec/04/the-100-christmas-ad-that-blows-john-lewis-out-of-the-water
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