Alphaville’s track “Forever Young” failed to make any big waves when it was released in 1984, but for some reason, it has become one of the songs that defines the 80’s. We saw it at the closing scene of Napoleon Dynamite, and last year, Mr. Hudson re-worked the song for the chorus of Jay-Z’s “Young Forever,” which appeared on his highly-anticipated Blueprint 3. The slow organs and synths coupled with that classic 80’s, Eur0-accented-croon certainly make this song a classic for those who grew up in that era. The big drum breakdown is perfect for that slow dance at the end of prom or for the lead-up to, you know, that horizontal dance.
Australian band Youth Group covered the song and kept its slow disposition. But instead of relying heavily on synths and beat machines, the Australian quartet decide to keep the song within their rock roots. The slow guitar melody and drums that build up ever so slightly to include a tambourine make this track the classic for those who grew up in the early 90’s indie-scene. Peaking at No. 1 in their home country and even claimed the No. 1 download in the first ever download charts.
The track is not a far cry from the original, maintaining the mellow tendencies but Youth Group does give it their own treatment by keeping the guitars intact. It’s a great cover, but I’ll just have to forget the fact that the producers of The O.C. approached the band about covering it, therefore are responsible for this great cover.
Here are some other pages on ETS that you may be fond of:
- Album Review – The Rock & the Tide by Joshua Radin
- Free Song Download – “How You Hold Your Arms” by Callers
- Artist of the Week – Jack Penate
- Album Review – Lisbon by The Walkmen
- Covers Revue – Soft Cell covers Gloria Jones