- Four decades of perpetual youthfulness: vocalist Gold grapples with the passage of time
"Man, it's wild, right? Not in our control, entirely reliant on coincidences. It's like a divine intervention happening to us," Mariano Gold, Alphaville's lead singer (70), shared with the German Press Agency. Over a hundred thousand Tiktok users have utilized a slice of the timeless tune for their brief clips lately - usually paired with emotional snippets from their lives.
"'Forever Young' resonates with people in a variety of settings: birthdays, weddings, or even funerals - events that seem to contradict each other. This song seems to express a multitude of different ideas," Gold noted.
The track is frequently covers - even by a global sensation
The synth-pop trio, formed back in 1982 in Münster, dropped their first three singles in 1984 - all of which remain their most successful hits nowadays: "Big in Japan", "Sounds Like A Melody", and "Forever Young". The latter is prominently featured in numerous films and series and has been remade by rappers like Bushido, Schlager singers such as Karel Gott, and global superstar Beyoncé, among others.
"The lyrics are simply a set of movie titles and dialogues. Back then, those huge Hollywood movies had an eternal charm. It matched well with the concept behind 'Forever Young'," Gold reminisced. The chorus was the "sole conscious creation".
The song primarily reflects the anxieties of youth during a time when the Cold War could have led to a devastating nuclear strike. The fact that the song is still popular and beloved 40 years after its launch delights the musician from Herford (North Rhine-Westphalia). "There's an indescribable satisfaction in realizing you've managed to traverse such a long journey relatively unscathed."
The singer of "Forever Young" finds aging "unendurable"
The concept of being "forever young" still stirs up sentimental feelings in the 70-year-old. "I can't handle aging at all. I find it unbearable. There's no justifiable reason to grow old. Why are we even born if not to die? That's just absurd. I find that unacceptable."
Aging shows up more notably through physical infirmities. "In that sense, 'Forever Young' is such a wonderful, innocent fantasy. It represents something pure and hopeful. That's quite appealing."
Alphaville will be launching their best-of album titled "Alphaville Forever! - Best Of 40 Years" towards the end of September and will commence their tour starting early November.
"Despite his personal feelings towards aging, Mariano Gold continues to see the appeal of 'Forever Young' being covered by various artists, including global sensations like Beyoncé."
"Given his sentiments towards aging, it's interesting that the song 'Forever Young' remains a popular and beloved track, even 40 years after its launch, for many who find the concept of 'forever young' appealing."
