Forever Young

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

In my opinion, rather than supporting the concept of eternal life, this song questions those who claim this as a desire. A wise man once said "Those who want eternal life understand neither eternity nor life."

Definitely the most important german music group from the 80ies! Even in 100 years, people will listen to this song.

To me, this makes me think of my years in universities. We're growing,learning about ourselves. We're scared of the future, no matter how good it might be. We cling to alcohol, drugs and relationships to try to keep us in the easy place where we are. We know that we can't go on forever living the lifestyle that we are, but at the same time we never want to let go. I think this actually a really sad song.

Yes, definitely cold war stuff and coming out of a country that was smack in the middle of the cold war with a divided Germany and a divided Berlin. People were really afraid and very aware of the possibility of nuclear war, witness many other cultural things like "The Day After" or Sting's "Russians" song or even The Smiths "Ask" ("if it's not love then it's the bomb that will bring us together"). In the 80s, "The Bomb" was pretty clearly understood to refer to an atomic bomb.

Everyone was very aware that the human race was poised to destroy itself, but there was not much an average person could do. ("Are you gonna drop the bomb or not.")

Not only is it the cry of youth for the possibilities for it yet to fulfill, but the idea of lost youth forever unfulfilled by nuclear obliteration. Killed possibilities times a million, ten million, 100 million, 8 billion?

Yes this song is sad because it talks about the different types of people (some like water, heat, etc) and so many possibilities for good things to happen and good experiences that will be lost prematurely.

Even without the nuclear Armageddon overtones it's still sad since it points out the inevitability of death, maybe without so much lost potential, but still ultimately sad.

It's the perfect mix of a beautiful song that is even more beautiful because it's sad and it points out the shortness of life and needing to try and fulfill the good possibilities of it.

This is such a nostalgic song for me... makes me feel sad and happy at the same time... To me the song is just about loss of innocence like wishing you could just live forever young and not have to grow up and face life. But despite the song's melancholy tone, it seems to offer a glimmer of hope for me.