Puneet Varma (Editor)

The NeverEnding Story (song)

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Released
  
1984

Recorded
  
January 1984

Length
  
3:31

Format
  
7" single, 12" maxi

Genre
  
Synthpop, new wave

B-side
  
"Ivory Tower" or Instrumental version

"The NeverEnding Story" is the title song from the English version of the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story. It was performed by Limahl. Limahl released two versions of the song, one in English and one in French. The English version featured vocals by Beth Anderson, and the French version featured vocals by Ann Calvert. It was a success in many countries, reaching No. 1 in Norway and Sweden, No. 2 in Austria, Germany and Italy, No. 4 in the UK. No. 6 in Australia and No. 6 in the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Contents

Background and writing

The song was composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics by Keith Forsey, although it (and other electronic pop elements of the soundtrack) is not present in the German version of the film, which features Klaus Doldinger's score exclusively.

Beth Anderson recorded her lyrics in America separately from Limahl's. Anderson does not appear in the music video; frequent Limahl backup singer Mandy Newton lip syncs Anderson's lyrics.

As a reference to the film and its title, the song has no distinctive beginning, nor an end. While many songs fade out, "The NeverEnding Story" not only fades out, but also fades in, thus making it "never ending".

Personnel

  • Limahl - vocals
  • Beth Anderson - background vocals
  • Dee Harris - guitar
  • Giorgio Moroder - synthesizer
  • Keith Forsey - drums, percussion

    • Cover versions

  • For The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter, the song was performed by Joe Milner, heard during the closing credits.
  • J-pop group E-Girls covered a Japanese version of the song in 2013. It debuted in the second place of the Oricon weekly singles chart, selling 40,055 copies.
  • American pop punk group New Found Glory covered the song on their 2000 EP From the Screen to Your Stereo.
  • German eurodance group Scooter thirteenth studio album Jumping All Over the World samples the theme song from the American version of the film.
  • Symphonic power metal group Dragonland made a cover of this song.
  • Canadian industrial band The Birthday Massacre covered the song for their 2004 album Violet. The track was omitted from the final release, but became audible via online leaks.

    • Track listings

    7" single
    1. "The NeverEnding Story"
    2. "Ivory Tower" by Giorgio Moroder
    7" single
    1. "The NeverEnding Story" (club mix) - 6:09
    2. "The NeverEnding Story" (instrumental version) - 5:28
    12" maxi
    1. "The NeverEnding Story" (12" mix) - 5:17
    2. "The NeverEnding Story" (7" mix) - 3:30
    3. "Ivory Tower" (12" mix) (instrumental) by Giorgio Moroder - 5:54
    iTunes single
    1. "The NeverEnding Story" (12" mix) - 5:20
    2. "The NeverEnding Story" (Giorgio 7" mix) - 3:31
    3. "The NeverEnding Story" (Rusty 7" mix) - 3:54
    4. "The NeverEnding Story" (12" dance mix) - 6:08
    5. "The NeverEnding Story" (12" dub mix) - 5:27
    6. "Ivory Tower" by Giorgio Moroder - 3:08
    7. "Ivory Tower" (12" mix) by Giorgio Moroder - 5:55

    Official mixes

  • "The NeverEnding Story" (7" Mix) - 3:28
  • "The NeverEnding Story" (12" Mix) - 5:17
  • "The NeverEnding Story" (Club Mix) - 6:09
  • "The NeverEnding Story" (Instrumental Version) - 5:28

    • Charts

    1 "The NeverEnding Story"/"L'Histoire Sans Fin"

    References

    The NeverEnding Story (song) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA