‘Forever Young’ was first released in 1984 by German Synth Pop band Alphaville. The song was popular in Germany and Scandinavia at the time.
In 2005 Aussie band Youth Group were asked by the producers of American Drama The OC to record a version. It was included in an episode of the show. It was also released as a single in Australia.
According to a Quora contributor, Forever Young was written during the Cold War, so even though at first the song seems to be celebrating youth, it is actually about the Cold War and fear of nuclear annihilation. “Let’s dance in style, let’s dance for awhile. Heaven can wait, we’re only watching the skies. Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Are you going to drop the bomb or not?”
It is about living your life to the fullest and making the most of every moment you have, because it can be taken away without warning and that you have no control over it. “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 man”
Lyrics
Heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you going to drop the bomb or not?
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
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders we’re getting in tune
The music’s played by the madmen
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later they all will be gone
Why don’t they stay young
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth is like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams are swinging out of the blue
We let them come true
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever