Forever Young (Alphaville song)

"Forever Young" is a song from German synth-pop band Alphaville's 1984 debut album of the same name. The single was a 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 initially reached number 93 in 1985 on the US "Billboard" Hot 100 and the top 40 on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/ Club Play Singles. When the song was re-released in 1988, the song managed to peak at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. 
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 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
12-inch maxi
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:
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
CD promo single
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.
Track listing.
CD single
Laura Branigan version.
In 1985 Laura Branigan covered the song in her Hold Me album.
The song was also included in her 2010 digitally remastered two-disc greatest hits compilation album .
Interactive version.
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.
Youth Group version.
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 "". 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.
Becky Hill version.
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. 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. 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".
Personnel.
Credits adapted from Tidal.