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 man

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'll let 'em 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 wanna be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? (Forever)

Edit Lyrics

Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by zzzzt, Shiartu

Forever Young Lyrics as written by Frank Mertens Bernhard Lloyd

Lyrics © DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Forever Young song meanings

Add Your Thoughts

78 Comments

+15
General Comment
Well I'm from Germany, from the west part of Berlin and this song really REALLY resonates with me. I was born in 1970 during the height of the Cold War and I grew up with the spectre of nuclear war always overhead. While a lot of the younger generation who didn't live through the Cold War see this as more of a graduation song, for me it's really about living life to the fullest because during those days when i was 12, 15, 18, we knew that if the US and USSR ever went to war our country would be the first to get bombed. That's what this song is about, about the fragility of life under the shadow of two superpowers. Also it should say "if this race is won" because "turn our golden faces to the sun" is an allusion to a nuclear explosion which for a split second can rival the heat of the sun. Essentially it is saying, we don't want to live under this shadow for our whole lives...better we be bombed so that our youth remains forever, like diamonds, than to be put down like an old racehorse.

Well I'm from Germany, from the west part of Berlin and this song really REALLY resonates with me. I was born in 1970 during the height of the Cold War and I grew up with the spectre of nuclear war always overhead. While a lot of the younger generation who didn't live through the Cold War see this as more of a graduation song, for me it's really about living life to the fullest because during those days when i was 12, 15, 18, we knew that if the US and USSR ever went to war our country would be the first to get bombed. That's what this song is about, about the fragility of life under the shadow of two superpowers. Also it should say "if this race is won" because "turn our golden faces to the sun" is an allusion to a nuclear explosion which for a split second can rival the heat of the sun. Essentially it is saying, we don't want to live under this shadow for our whole lives...better we be bombed so that our youth remains forever, like diamonds, than to be put down like an old racehorse.

Reason:

Nachtrafeon May 02, 2010 Link
- 3 Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@Nachtrafe

This is the only response we need. I grew up in the UK around the same time. I dont think British kids knew how close things were. I cant imagine the fear you felt.

kite103085on March 05, 2014

Beautiful, the way and the soul

vindicated.toeon May 22, 2014

@Nachtrafe wow. As a kid born in 73' in the US, I never saw that of this song. Wow. Thank you for your insight.

SoupNazion August 15, 2015
+6
General Comment
This song was released during the cold war, and the lyrics, I'm sure, had stronger meaning then than they do now. It is not only a song about the dreams of youth, but also of cold-war politics and the overshadowing fear of a nuclear war. There are several key terms that allude to this concept. "Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Are you gonna drop the bomb or not." "can you imagine when this race is won" is in reference to the nuclear arms race. "praising our leaders we're getting in tune the music's played by the madmen" While praising our leaders, we're "getting in tune" to their music, even though the music is played by a madman. Sure, it's about wanting to live forever. But it's also about trying to make the best of life amid the fear and paranoia of possible nuclear extintion.

This song was released during the cold war, and the lyrics, I'm sure, had stronger meaning then than they do now. It is not only a song about the dreams of youth, but also of cold-war politics and the overshadowing fear of a nuclear war. There are several key terms that allude to this concept. "Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Are you gonna drop the bomb or not." "can you imagine when this race is won" is in reference to the nuclear arms race. "praising our leaders we're getting in tune the music's played by the madmen" While praising our leaders, we're "getting in tune" to their music, even though the music is played by a madman. Sure, it's about wanting to live forever. But it's also about trying to make the best of life amid the fear and paranoia of possible nuclear extintion.

Reason:

MrMaroukaon September 29, 2004 Link
- 2 Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@MrMarouka

Well I'm from Germany, from the west part of Berlin and this song really REALLY resonates with me. I was born in 1970 during the height of the Cold War and I grew up with the spectre of nuclear war always overhead. While a lot of the younger generation who didn't live through the Cold War see this as more of a graduation song, for me it's really about living life to the fullest because during those days when i was 12, 15, 18, we knew that if the US and USSR ever went to war our country would be the first to get bombed. That's what this song is about, about the fragility of life under the shadow of two superpowers. Also it should say "if this race is won" because if someone does "win" by getting their bombs off first, "turn our golden faces to the sun" is an allusion to a nuclear explosion which for a split second can rival the heat of the sun.

Essentially it is saying, we don't want to live under this shadow for our whole lives...better we be bombed so that our youth remains forever, like diamonds, than to be put down like an old racehorse.

Nachtrafeon May 02, 2010

I think there might also be an element of "Lets just get it over with" in there as well, like it's a wish to not have to live to old age knowing every day you could get snuffed out in a nuclear inferno. There's also an element of making the most of what you've got now because it could so easily be gone. Finally there's an air of disenfranchisement to it with the line "We don't have the power". If there is a nuclear war, the people this song speaks for would not be the ones who asked for it.

PassiveSmokingon April 01, 2013
+4
Song Meaning
Many people say how this song reminds them of a happy moment, when in fact this song is about the struggles of youth during the Cold War. I did not live during the cold war so i have little insight on how it was, but I am a major history geek so I know quite alot. "hoping for the best but expecting the worst are you going to drop the bomb or not?" Talking about the nuclear missile race between US and USSR "can you imagine when this race is won" Also talking about the nuclear race. "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" That whole verse is interesting. It seems like it's talking about that US and the Soviets should "get over" their differences. "so many adventures couldn't happen today so many songs we forgot to play so many dreams are swinging out of the blue we let them come true" Kind of talking about the "bucket list" philosophy. It talks about that people should live in the "now" and go out and make their dreams come true, as if it was their last day, which it might as well have been back during the Cold War.

Many people say how this song reminds them of a happy moment, when in fact this song is about the struggles of youth during the Cold War. I did not live during the cold war so i have little insight on how it was, but I am a major history geek so I know quite alot. "hoping for the best but expecting the worst are you going to drop the bomb or not?" Talking about the nuclear missile race between US and USSR "can you imagine when this race is won" Also talking about the nuclear race. "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" That whole verse is interesting. It seems like it's talking about that US and the Soviets should "get over" their differences. "so many adventures couldn't happen today so many songs we forgot to play so many dreams are swinging out of the blue we let them come true" Kind of talking about the "bucket list" philosophy. It talks about that people should live in the "now" and go out and make their dreams come true, as if it was their last day, which it might as well have been back during the Cold War.

Reason:

duerko2on March 12, 2010 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@duerko2
+3
General Comment
>"this song stickes a knife in hearts of people who are above 30 years old" That's only too true. One of the sweetest songs from back in the day... it reminds me of a friend back then. Her little brother had died at 16 in a car accident. She would listen to this song over and over. Even now my vision blurs to think of it.

>"this song stickes a knife in hearts of people who are above 30 years old" That's only too true. One of the sweetest songs from back in the day... it reminds me of a friend back then. Her little brother had died at 16 in a car accident. She would listen to this song over and over. Even now my vision blurs to think of it.

Reason:

genetruon March 30, 2007 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@genetru
+1
General Comment
cold war.

cold war.

Reason:

paccyon May 29, 2007 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@paccy
+1
General Comment
I really like the idea that this song is about the cold war. But i also like how it makes you wanna treasure your youth.

I really like the idea that this song is about the cold war. But i also like how it makes you wanna treasure your youth.

Reason:

Quentonon September 09, 2007 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@Quenton
+1
General Comment
I first heard this song as part of the Legend soundtrack(back when Tom Cruise still had his marbles), and I fell in love at first listen. What's the name of the female band that gave it that techno cover? I. Detest. That. Version. They butchered my song!!!! This is one of the most profound, beautiful songs I've ever heard, and I want it played at my funeral when God calls me home.

I first heard this song as part of the Legend soundtrack(back when Tom Cruise still had his marbles), and I fell in love at first listen. What's the name of the female band that gave it that techno cover? I. Detest. That. Version. They butchered my song!!!! This is one of the most profound, beautiful songs I've ever heard, and I want it played at my funeral when God calls me home.

Reason:

lanakaelon April 07, 2008 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@lanakael
+1
General Comment
Some of the best lyrics I've heard/seen. To me, this song is all about the exuberance of youth and that it's a very short-lived thing (so you have to make the most of it). The Killers should totally cover this song!

Some of the best lyrics I've heard/seen. To me, this song is all about the exuberance of youth and that it's a very short-lived thing (so you have to make the most of it). The Killers should totally cover this song!

Reason:

coffeekaton October 29, 2008 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@coffeekat
+1
General Comment
This is a very depressing song to me. Maybe it's just because I tend to interpret songs in the darkest possible way. You can think of it in many ways, literally and figuratively, but here's what I think. To me, the more literal interpretation of this song is that a nuclear war has already begun, and everyone knows that it's just a matter of time. A group of teenagers/young people are sitting together in a bomb shelter, reflecting on their fates, lamenting that their lives are being cut short when they still have so many dreams left to achieve. They feel completely helpless, because they know they can't do anything to change what's happened. They're at the mercy of their governments and the bombs. But still, they manage to find a bit of hope and peace in their situation by remembering all the happy times they had in their lives, and reliving them together. And, as they know they will never grow old, they will, in a way, be forever young. No wonder this song depresses me.:/

This is a very depressing song to me. Maybe it's just because I tend to interpret songs in the darkest possible way. You can think of it in many ways, literally and figuratively, but here's what I think. To me, the more literal interpretation of this song is that a nuclear war has already begun, and everyone knows that it's just a matter of time. A group of teenagers/young people are sitting together in a bomb shelter, reflecting on their fates, lamenting that their lives are being cut short when they still have so many dreams left to achieve. They feel completely helpless, because they know they can't do anything to change what's happened. They're at the mercy of their governments and the bombs. But still, they manage to find a bit of hope and peace in their situation by remembering all the happy times they had in their lives, and reliving them together. And, as they know they will never grow old, they will, in a way, be forever young. No wonder this song depresses me.:/

Reason:

boscaresqueon August 05, 2009 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@boscaresque
+1
General Comment
Can anyone explain the "i don't want to perish like a fading horse" line? What do horses have to do with anything?

Can anyone explain the "i don't want to perish like a fading horse" line? What do horses have to do with anything?

Reason:

Lombardion December 17, 2009 Link
- 2 Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@Lombardi

think of in terms of a racing horse. when the horse is unable to compete any longer due to injury or whatever they either put it down or retire it where the horse is basically useless

adl4life15on January 27, 2010

I actually came to this song to comment about this very line. I was listening to it thinking how anyone that isn't horsey probably wouldn't understand it, and what a shame that is because to me it's such a poetic idea.

To differ slightly from the previous poster, I think the line refers to the fact that in horseracing, when a horse who has been running at or near the front starts to run out of power and slow down, allowing the others to gain on him and usually pass him, he is described as 'fading'. So to me, this is the image of the horse, running at his utmost and still slowly faltering, watching his 'win' slip away from him as the other horses catch and then drive on past him. I find it a little heartbreaking.

SebastianGTon July 03, 2011

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Forever Young

Alphaville

78 Comments

Add your thoughts

Most popular lyric tags

More Alphaville Lyrics