"Forever Young" is a song by German synth-pop band Alphaville, released in September 1984, by WEA, as the third single from their debut album of the same name (1984). The single was successful in Scandinavia and in the European German-speaking countries in the same year. It peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year in the United States, and number 63 in 1988. The accompanying music video was directed by Brian Ward and filmed in the United Kingdom. As of May 2026, "Forever Young" has over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify.
The single 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.
In a 2022 interview, Alphaville lead singer Marian Gold said that it is "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.
Alphaville versions Original 1984 version Background and video Originally intended to be an upbeat dance song, producer Andreas Budde recommended paring the song down to a sparse synth-pop ballad. The band spent two days attempting to record the dance version, but were unsatisfied with the results. Budde then told them to strip away most of the tracks, leaving only the vocals and synth pads, and upon playing it back said, "This is the song."Christopher Müller. Never Grow Up - The Story of Forever Young (video documentary). Warner Music Group Germany Holding, 2019.
Marian Gold originally wrote the third verse to evoke a "fascistic feeling" of the adoration of the crowd: 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: 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.
Not a native English speaker, Gold received pronunciation instruction from producer Colin Pearson. The band had decided that the word "dance" in the first line should be pronounced in order for the song to sound British (specifically Southern English). Subsequently, the track uses the English pronunciation but sometimes Gold would forget this and sing the American pronunciation instead.
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."Hot 100." Billboard. 97.12 (23 March 1985). p. 68. "Hot 100." Billboard. 97.15 (13 April 1985). p. 68. 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.
Music video 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.
Reception In 1987, the song topped yearly retrospective lists in San Francisco's KITS "Live 105" and New Jersey's WPST 94.5 radio stations, with Billboard calling it "the modern rock equivalent of 'Stairway to Heaven'". "Forever Young" was top on both lists, beating songs like U2's "Pride (In the Name of Love)", New Order's "Blue Monday" and the Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?".
In 2024, "Forever Young" gained wide popularity on the social media app TikTok, 40 years after the song's release. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the United States, and stayed there for 10 weeks.
Track listings 7-inch single "Forever Young" – 3:45 "Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
12-inch maxi single "Forever Young" (special dance version) – 6:06 "Forever Young" – 3:45 "Welcome to the Sun" – 3:09
Note: "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: Alphaville Amiga Compilation, 1988 Alphaville: The Singles Collection, 1988 First Harvest 1984–92, 1992
The "Special Dance Version" and the B-side "Welcome to the Sun" were both included on so80s presents Alphaville (2014).
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 "Forever Young" (F.A.F's Diamonds in the Sun mix) – 3:56 Remixed by: F.A.F "Forever Young" (Factory mix) – 4:21 Remixed by: José Alvarez-Brill "Forever Young" (original demo 1983) – 4:43 "Thank You" (spoken version) – 3:44 "Forever Young" (Magix PlayR) (PC only)
The track "Thank You" 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" (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.
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 "Forever Young" (Hamel album mix) – 4:58 "Forever Young" (Bill Hamel club mix) – 7:39 "Forever Young" (remastered original version) – 3:47
Charts + Chart (1984–1985) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 47 Europe (European Top 100 Singles) 18 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 24 South Africa (Springbok Radio) 7 Spain (AFYVE) 14 US Billboard Hot 100 65 US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard) 32 + Chart (20242026) Peakposition Global 200 (Billboard) 105 Greece International (IFPI) 96 Lithuania (AGATA) 99 Norway Airplay (IFPI Norge) 70
Certifications
Laura Branigan version In 1985, American singer Laura Branigan covered "Forever Young" for her fourth album, Hold Me (1985).
She then went on to sing it as either the encore or the final track of her live performances for years.
Interactive version
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 this version of "Forever Young". The remix 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 and features kids attending and partying in a night club. It was A-listed on German music television channel VIVA in February 1995.
Track listing CD maxi (Germany) "Forever Young" (radio edit) – 3:40 "Forever Young" (extended version) – 5:59 "Mobilé" – 5:04 "Waves of Balah" – 5:44
Charts + Chart (1994–1996) Peakposition Denmark (Tracklisten) 10 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 34 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 15 UK Club Chart (Music Week) 49
+ Chart (1995) Position Australia (ARIA) 71 Germany (Media Control) 61 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 96
Certifications
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 Music from the OC: Mix 5.
Released as a single on 6 March 2006, the song reached number one on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart for two nonconsecutive weeks and also entered the top 10 in New Zealand, reaching number seven on the RIANZ Singles Chart. In the United States, the song appeared on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, peaking at number 10. The track was included on Youth Group's third studio album, Casino Twilight Dogs, released later that year.
Track listing Australian CD single "Forever Young" – 4:33 "Someone Else's Dream" – 2:36 "Forever Young" (edit) – 3:26
Charts + Chart (2006–2009) Peakposition US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) 10 US Pop 100 (Billboard) 76
+ Chart (2006) Position Australia (ARIA) 7
Certifications
Cash Cash version
In 2010, American electronic music group Cash Cash released a cover of the song. It was released on 8 March 2010 through Universal. The song was serviced to radio in the United States on 12 May 2010.
Background Jean Paul Makhlouf stated that group chose to cover the song because "the idea of being forever young is just awesome," which was the reason why the group first formed. They were also inspired to cover the song due to the "many amazing memories" the band has made, such as recording a their debut studio album, hearing their song on the radio, touring the US and meeting fans across the world. Makhlouf also added: I'll always be a teenager at heart. Of course there's a time for work, but you can't forget about the play. I always make sure I keep a good balance of the two.
Personnel Credits adapted from AllMusic. Cash Cash – primary artist Bernhard Lloyd – composer Frank Mertens – composer Marian Gold – composer, lyricist
Music video A music video for the song was released via YouTube on 29 June 2010. As of 2014, the video has since been removed.
Charts + Chart (2010) Peakposition US Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales (Billboard) 34
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 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. 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. 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