Song
Forever Young
Alphaville
Album:
Forever Young
Song meaning of Forever Young by Alphaville
The 1984 single "Forever Young" by German synth-pop group Alphaville is a classic. The song, which is well-known for its eerie melody and moving lyrics, expresses a strong sense of hope, desire, and the passing of time. Written in the midst of the Cold War, it captures both the basic human urge to cling to youth, energy, and innocence as well as the fears of a generation living under the prospect of nuclear war.
"Forever Young" was featured on Alphaville's self-titled debut album. Since nuclear war was a major concern for the globe at the time, this song evolved into a subtly political statement on the uncertain future that many young people had to face. The lyrics contrast the transient nature of existence with the desire for immortality, reflecting the fear of ageing and the wish to remain fresh in body and spirit.
The song became one of the most famous of the 1980s due to its unique blend of synthesisers and orchestral sounds that gave it an ethereal, mournful character that connected with listeners all over the world. Though the song is associated with a particular historical era, its message is ageless and applies to all ages.
The central theme of "Forever Young" is the inevitability of ageing. The question in the lyrics, "live forever" or "burn out quickly," emphasises the conflict between the desire to completely enjoy life and the fear of growing old and dying. The song makes you hope that love, dreams, and goals are among the things in life that won't fade with time, as well as nostalgic for your own lost youth.
The refrain, "Forever young, I want to be forever young," expresses a need to maintain one's spirit and aspirations despite changes in the outside world, in addition to wanting to be eternally young. In the end, the song is about living life to the fullest, appreciating the moment, and aiming for immortality via love, memories, and legacy.
Over the decades, "Forever Young" has become an anthem of youthful optimism and existential reflection, connecting with audiences on both a personal and philosophical level.
Forever Young lyrics by Alphaville
Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while
Heaven can wait, we're only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?
Let us die young or let us live forever
We don't have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music's for the sad men
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, the mad men
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? Forever young
Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later, they all will be gone
Why don't they stay young?
It's so hard to get old without a cause
I don't want to perish like a fading horse
Youth's like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever
So many adventures couldn't happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
We let them come true
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Release Date
1984
Songwriter/s
Marian Gold, Bernhard Lloyd, Frank Mertens
Producer/s
Colin Pearson, Wolfgang Loos, Andreas Budde
Label/s
WEA