Forever Love (X Japan song)

"Forever Love"

Original release
Single by X Japan
from the album Dahlia
Released July 8, 1996
Recorded December 31, 1997 at Tokyo Dome (track 2, 1997 reissue & 2001 reissue)
Genre Heavy metal
Length 17:20 (original release)
Label Atlantic, Polydor (1997 reissue)
Producer(s) Yoshiki
Certification Platinum (RIAJ)
X Japan singles chronology
"Dahlia"
(1996)		 "Forever Love"
(1996)		 "Crucify My Love"
(1996)

"Forever Love" is a single released by X Japan on July 8, 1996.

Summary

The song was written and composed by Yoshiki. An acoustic version appears on their album Dahlia.

The single has been reissued several times. On December 18, 1997, following the announcement of the band's breakup, a different mixed version was released with a live version of "Longing" (recorded at "The Last Live" concert) as a B-side. The original single was reissued again on July 22, 1998, after the death of guitarist hide. A single containing all previous versions (except original karaoke version), as well as a live recording (also recorded at "The Last Live" concert) of the song was released on July 11, 2001.

Also in 2001, the song was used as background music in several commercials for the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party. LDP member Junichiro Koizumi, at that time the country's Prime Minister has expressed fondness for X Japan's music.[1] "Forever Love" appears on the soundtrack of the 1996 animated feature film X. Inzargi, vocalist of Megamasso, covered "Forever Love" for his 2012 cover album.[2] Awoi covered it for the compilation album Counteraction - V-Rock covered Visual Anime songs Compilation-, which was released on May 23, 2012 and features covers of songs by visual kei bands that were used in anime.[3]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Yoshiki. 

Original release/1998 reissue
No. Title Length
1. "Forever Love"   8:41
2. "Forever Love (Original Karaoke)"   8:38
1997 reissue
No. Title Length
1. "Forever Love (Last Mix)"   8:31
2. "Longing (Bootleg)"   7:56
2001 reissue
No. Title Length
1. "Forever Love"   8:41
2. "Forever Love (Live)"   8:06
3. "Forever Love (Acoustic Version)"   7:55
4. "Forever Love (Last Mix)"   8:31

Commercial performance

The single reached number 1 on the Oricon charts, and charted for 15 weeks.[4] In 1996, with 509,920 copies sold was the 47th best-selling single of the year,[5] being certified Platinum by RIAJ. The edition released in 1997 reached number 13, and charted for 11 weeks, while those in 1998 and 2001 reached number 18 and 19 respectively, and both charted for 4 weeks.[4]

Alternative covers

References

  1. ↑ "LDP unveils new TV commercials, poster featuring Koizumi". findarticles.com. 2001-05-16. Retrieved 2007-09-29.
  2. ↑ "Megamasso’s Vocalist INZARGI to Release Cover Album". jpopasia.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  3. ↑ "V-Kei Anime Song Cover Compilation "Counteraction!" and MJP TV to Collaborate! Live Talk Program with Asai Hiroaki and the Artists Participating!". musicjapanplus.jp. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ｘ　ＪＡＰＡＮのシングル売り上げランキング. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  5. ↑ "What's This Year / 1996". http://interq.or.jp/'' (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-07-01.