"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. 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
Original 1984 version
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. 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
"Forever Young" – 3:45
"Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
12-inch maxi
"Forever Young" – 6:06
"Forever Young" – 3:45
"Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
"Welcome to the Sun" also appeared on 1999's Dreamscapes.
Other releases
The original album version has also appeared on the following official Alphaville releases:
Alphaville Amiga Compilation, 1988
, 1988
First Harvest 1984–92, 1992
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:
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
"Forever Young" – 3:56
* Remixed by: F.A.F
"Forever Young" – 4:21
* Remixed by: José Alvarez-Brill
"Forever Young" – 4:43
"Thank You" – 3:44
"Forever Young"
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
"Forever Young " — 3:56
This promotional CD was produced in a strictly limited run of 500 copies and not sold commercially.
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.
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. It features kids attending and partying in a night club.
In 2005 Australian rock band Youth Group were asked by the producers of the American television seriesThe 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 . 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
"Forever Young" – 4:33
"Someone Else's Dream" – 2:36
"Forever Young" – 3:26
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Cover versions and samples
Just a year after the song's initial release, pop singer Laura Branigan covered "Forever Young" on her album Hold Me and began a tradition of performing the song as an encore at her concerts.
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.
In 2010, Polish Symphonic Metal act Pathfinder released a cover of "Forever Young" on their album Beyond the Space, Beyond the Time, as a Japanese bonus track.
In 2010, German electronic group Tangerine Dream covered "Forever Young" on their album "Under Cover - Chapter One."
In 2010, English-Irish boyband One Direction recorded a cover of "Forever Young" as their winner single for series 7 of UK's The X Factor which would have been released had they won the competition. However, they placed third and their cover was never released, instead being leaked on the internet.
In 2014, the Portuguese alternative rock band The Gift released their version of "Forever Young".
In 2018, American band Maroon 5 covered the song for their Red Pill Blues Tour performed with their song "Girls Like You", as a tribute to their late manager Jordan Feldstein.
