This song always speaks to me - the simple days of childhood and early teens in the 80's. It strikes a minor chord with me especially because i had met a cute girl at summer camp who loved this song (played it incessantly on her walkman), and a couple of years later i found out she had committed suicide :(. I will continue to feel the irony of this song every time i hear it, because it was her anthem, and to me she will always be forever young. Great work Espen! Love the chord progression and enjoyed your analysis.
Thank you! What a story man... I too have a couple of songs that has the same kind of bitter sweet emotions attached to them. I guess music has that power. Anyways, thanks for sharing and thanks for watching! :)
@@EspenKraft funny, i thought you were German, but now I can suddenly hear the Scandinavian accent😊 as always, great work Espen 👍 Stor hilsen og godt nytår, her fra Danmark.
Epsen, your teaching style is unique and amazing and never seen it even in my university music course. You don’t slap the music to face of the listeners. You bring every piece of emotion from the listeners and connect them to the every single note of the music. Listening to music with no connection is like having best delicious meal when you have cold and all your tasting senses are blocked. You just gave us a piece bread in a forest with all our senses and acceptors open. Thank You.
Lets not forget the first pop star, Pachebel, and his cannon in D. his chord sequence goes back to the late 17th century. and countless songs have been written from it. I love Forever young but found your chord sequence even better somehow.Thank you for sharing. Very inspiring.
A great pop hymn back in the days when I was really much much younger. Now those days are far away and gone. But thanks, sir, for bringing them back through your synth lessons. Bless!!!
One of my all time favorites of the 80s, whenever this song comes on I stop what I'm doing and soak it in, I like the dance version better and I love the killer trumpet solos!
Aha a fellow fan of Summer in Berlin! While Forever Young is the given hit of the album, Summer in Berlin is so quirky and offbeat while maintaining the classic Alphaville nostalgic feeling... just realised the Schiller just released a cover of it in cooperation with Alphaville. In fact, the whole album is titled “Summer in Berlin” and is well worth a listen.
"Summer in Berlin" describes the mood of these (summer)times in summer in Berlin. I couldt imagine very well, the way they felt to write this song, even I grew up in the GDR and was only 15 , I heard this song for the first time. Well done Marian, Bernhard and Frank!
Just discovered your channel and I think it's great you focus so much on 80s music. I was a teenager then and tutorials like this bring back many happy memories!
I loved that song, the whole album, really, back when it came out. It contributed to me starting to make music. Thanks for bringing this back in our memory!
Thanks for putting this together. I have loved this song since being first finding in it via a happy hardcore version (don't laugh!). The really big takeaway, for songwriters like us, is as you say, how this song was written using only basic chords, but the combination of these chords with the melody has yielded a sublime pop song. We can get carried away thinking that we need to be "clever" and "sophisticated" in our songwriting, going to the nth degree to learn all about extended chords, altered chords, chord substitutions, chromatic harmony, Neapolitan 6ths, mixolydian, lydian, whatever-ian, and all the rest of it (the warren goes very deep indeed), and being able to improvise in all 15 keys when in reality, much greatness can be, and has been, achieved with simple chords written in simple keys. I'm now undertaking an analysis of song myself. There is much to be learnt from songs like this. And it is a good motivator to practise less, write more! Oh, that happy hardcore version: ruclips.net/video/f2_R2p23yx8/видео.html :-)
Thanks for watching! Sometimes less is more and this track is a fine example, especially when you know they stripped it down to bare minimum just before release. The hardcore version is a prime example of why I don't do 90s music he-he.
"These tutorials are all about learning how chords can work together to create beautiful soundscapes and atmospheres, and stir up some nostalgia and emotions that can take you back to that special place you remember [...]. or it can elevate you to a place you´ve only hear about." Very emotive and powerful words, thank you, Espen. BTW, loved the EbMaj7 trick at the end of your version!
I appreciate you commenting as you do man! I'm happy you liked my rework, it's always scary to take on such classics and twisting them around. Some people gets very upset with these things. I love it myself when someone really dig in and cut up my own work, especially when it's done with elegance and finesse.. ;-)
You have really inspired me to make my own 80’s music. The tutorials and the analysis of the chords is very good and you explain it in a easy way. I’m glad I found you in the RUclips jungle:) Thank you very much!
Great explication, probably one of the very first synthpop songs I've ever heard 13 years ago, when I was 6 (along with "Acqua e Sapone" by the italian band "Stadio", a song with incredible atmospheres). What used to love, and still love about this is that PPG Wave choir sound coming up at the beginning (the same used in "Violence" by the Pet Shop Boys), that sounds so ethereal, I call that "the Forever Young sound", probably my favorite sound from that synth. Being me young now, it sounds very sensible to me, it's a sort of anthem of these awesome days (and years). Thank you so much :)
Thanks Thomas! I'm very happy to hear you're inspired to pick up the keys after watching my channel! Paulo is a great guy as well so following him is very wise! :)
I love this channel!!! Greetings from the Caribbean Sea! The tiny island (archipelago!) of Puerto Rico! Great rendition (variation) of the song at the end! Great chords! Thank u so much for making these videos! Wishing you the best of health!
great deconstruction and a great song! what a powerful emotional result from such simple, repetitive chord changes. I love the song but it's so powerful that it literally makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious at moments... like it's hard to breathe, knowing how mortal I am, and all of the people I love. best of luck to all of you reading this :)
Espen, you are a man after my own heart. You love 80s synth pop and 80s culture, and I often see in the background you've been drinking a tasty Dr. Pepper! Thanks for your great content!
I am currently planning writing my own synth-pop song. Alphaville's "Forever Young" I am thinking about covering. If it comes out well, I will even lay down the synth tracks, and perform it live with an acoustic guitar. Idolizing bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Alphaville, Kraftwerk, The Human League, etc.. I have shifted my music style from acoustic folk/indie to electronic. Even combining the two. Your music, Espen, is amazing. I have a few tracks on my Spotify "electronic" playlist. "The Weekend" and "Don't Go". Keep it you, and keep these videos coming!! Rock on😎
Oh this is fantastic Espen! Cool of you to really take the time to break this song down for us. You do it in a way that is so personal and translates so well that it makes sense and can be a quick lesson. Your a great teacher!
Very nice ‘Espen style’ rendition of on of the musical milestones in my life! This Alphaville seminal album opened up the world of synthesiser music to me. Kudos!
Amazing explanation and cover Espen! Just a slight change in lyrics, whereas you get in tune with the music of the madman: “Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune The music's played by the, the madman” Keep up the great work! Love your channel, and yes(!) raised in the eighties of course. 😁👍
With your cover you alleviated your own voice to suit. The strength and meaning of the song are lost, being "forever young" is an obvious farce and you proved that with certainty and innuendo, which ultimately makes it insignificant. (it isn't a lullaby) Great track, almost forgot about it
Sure, making covers is all about making them pretty different from the original in my opinion. Making covers true to the originals are recreations and I'm not interested in that. You read too much into the meaning of the words for my taste as well, words are propelled by rhythm, verse and flow of vowels in addition to "meaning" when I write for myself and when I break down other peoples tracks in these videos it's to provide guidelines for use in your own writing/composing so to do that I aim my angle much based on own interpretation of the original work. One might agree or disagree with this and it's always interesting to hear other peoples opinions in such things so thanks for commenting and letting us know your emotional response to my "angle". :)
@@EspenKraft I just found this comment. I can't believe that I complained for lack of time then! Half a year later I did my own cover with two Rolands: JX8P and D50. Not being humble for a moment I must say, that my version is veeeery good :)
Sweet! Thanks. Mic to Mackie preamp and piped through Yamaha 01v as ADAT into the DAW. Compression, SSL EQ, DeEssing, Eventide H3000 as inserts. Some Valhalla Plate reverb and some delay and it all gets another dash of compression through paralell routing and out. Easy peasy... ;-)
Thankyou Espen, you are just the best, I love it, I also wonder if Anders and yourself can do a session just speaking in your Norwegian native tongue I would really enjoy trying to pick that up, cheers from New Zealand.
Thanks! I'm not sure I'd like to do a whole live stream in Norwegian, but we did exchange a few lines in Norwegian in the live stream just before New Years eve. ;-)
I watched that Espen and I thought it was just fine that is what spiked my interest, by the way I have just tried to follow the chords of forever young you played and finally cracked it and that gave me real buzz, I am using my Roland XP - 50 withe SR-JV80 - 04 vintage expansion on patch number 111 Juno 106 pad, it is now 22:10 here in New Zealand and I must go to bed, once again thanks for your invaluable time, cheers.
Espen, Thank you very much for your explanations of „For ever Young“ . This Song is one of my favourite Ballads of the Eighties and today for me and my wife the Headline of our Life. But there is someting I want to know since 1982.... which Synth plays the awesome Voicesound at the beginning ? Is it from PPG System ? This is still so beautiful, that I get totay the shower on my Skin ..... Thanks for your answer and stay Safe !
Beautiful. Really nice. Thank you for this. Very informative also. I knew you'd do this wonderfully... How about Big in Japan? That's my personal fave 80's track that stirs me up emotionally.
WOW! Your rendition of "Forever Young" that you play at the end is way better than the original. I love it! Just so so beautiful. Those lush chords... Damn, that's good! =)
It's a triple combo. Pad from Elka 22, low strings from the Juno 2 itself and Electric Piano from the MKS-20. All controlled from the Juno 2 as seen in the video.
Love you stuff, new subscriber, great content! Could you possibly do a tear down of West End Girls, or another great PSB track please? I’m learning chords at the ripe old age of 47, so would love something familiar to try and practice! Cheers
Thanks Rob! I'm very wary about doing a breakdown, cover or remake of any Pet Shop Boys stuff as I have too much influences of them in my own music and I don't want to end up being considered a tribute artist/band of those... tricky this ;-)
Just another great look at a great song Espen. I am enjoying working through this, especially now I have the JD-XA and the Sys-8 setup at home. It is always surprising, although it shouldn't be, how those slight chord variations make such beautiful changes to a song. Thank you so much for taking the time to put these wonderful videos together to share with us all around the world . Take care.
Thanks Colin! Yeah, you have a great setup there and you should be able to make some quality stuff with it! As for my take on the track in this video, it's always daunting to change up too much in a loved classic, but thankfully most so far has liked it so I'm happy about that. I will never do cover versions too close to the originals. Where's the fun in that? :) Take care, mate! :)
Very well done, Espen. The arrangement at the end didn't sit quite right in my ears, but it's possible the dissonance was just my brain clinging to the original harmonies. Always look forward to your videos.
Thanks Ryan! I can certianly understand that messing with such a classic can upset (in different ways) ears used to hearing the only TRUE version. I'm like that myself, but I also love cover versions of classics done completely different than the originals. To simply make re-creations isn't my thing so either notes or sound/production must change drastically if I'm to make a cover. And I have more in the loop... ;-)
Espen Kraft Yes, I completely agree. Sometimes that dissonant reaction is a great source of reflection. A new perspective. That is what art is all about, after all.
Thanks for a nice tutorial. What's the synth pad sound you're using? What synth? I really like it. Is it identical to what they used on the song? While you're own version of the song sounds ok, it would never had been a hit in the 80s. Some times simple = memorable, and in my opinion, that's what nailed it for Alphaville. Especially since their core audience was teenagers. :-)
Thanks! The pad isn't meant to be an exact copy of their sound. It's a combo of a pad from the Elka 22 synth and a low string from the Juno 2 itself. In my own version at the end I bring in some electric piano from the MKS-20 as well. My little cover was never meant to be anything than to show what you can do by taking some liberties with the chords. This whole tutorial is to look at chords really. I doubt this version would have gone well in the 80s he-he so you're right on that :)
great reharm and performance, like the Eb thing, on the original I love the Dm always a bit unexpected. what synth and fx for the beautiful pad? Sharp chords FTW :)
Thank you brother! The pad is made up of the Elka 22 and the Juno 2, the first is the pads and the Juno does the low strings. Blended together with Strymon BlueSky. In my live cover I also bring in the MKS-20 with its classic Electric Piano preset 8 with the analog chorus. Can't beat that imo :)
Thanks! I'm not sure I'll do a Pet Shop Boys track on my channel, when I'm so close to them in my own sound and singing. I have other 80s acts lined up in the near future though :)
Great video, thank you so much. In regards to your version, it's funny - what came to mind instantly was that obviously, the original is from the early 80's yet your version sounded very 88-89 late 80's and American. I wonder if you would agree, and if so, why is that?
Thanks Zoe! I think my version sounds late 80s because of the use of all the minor7 and major7 chords, and also because I sing in a minor scale as well. Until Pet Shop Boys came along in 1985 the use of major7 chords in synthpop was very rare and their Italo influences (from among otheres Bobby O) really took off after that and many american acts and producers picked up on that vibe so maybe some part of the equation is there? As I draw much more influences from early european synthpop I find it interesting that you point out that I sound american :) Thanks for watching! :)
Hello , I see you have a Seinheiser headset, I have one also in 250ohms, so high impedance, but when I play, the voice is very attenuated live because of this strong impedance, do you have any advice to remedy this? thank you ... and congratulations for this video 😉
Thanks! The headset I'm wearing in the video is a Beyer Dynamic DT770 and I have the 80 Ohm version of it and it sounds just fabolous with that lower impedance. I have enough juice in my preamp though, but I originally bought if to be used through more consumer oriented gear. I don't own any Sennheiser headsets. I have AKGs though.
Espen Kraft I was wrong brand is a Beyerdynamic too. But in 250Ohms. Thinking that the sound would be purer, and it's true .. but I did not know that it could affect and attenuate the microphone and also the synths, so I'm forced to mount the sound of the tracks but my recorder is in the red. And if I down a little my recorder, I do not get along well .. I go around in circles.
In your opinion what's the best all around synth to replicate that 80's feel and sound? Just curious I'm thinking about learning to play and I'd love to play some of the songs that I grew up listening to in the 1980's
For ME, the synth that comes closest to replicating my teenage dreams and that gives me the biggest nostalgia factor AND is responsible for my most iconic 80s sounds is the Roland JX-8P. With that it's instant 1985!
Очень красивая интерпретация, хотя, конечно немного непривычный переход на Eb maj 7. Эту версию я назвал бы облегченной, или более джазовой. Я сейчас подобную музыку стараюсь научиться делать, используя технику, имеющуюся в моей студии. Ваше видео очень помогает понять какой звук должен быть. Спасибо за прекрасные ролики!
I have the original 1984 album in vinyl and it's a masterpiece, personally one of the best albums ever created. Could you perform or explain big in japan or a victory of love?
I wish I had time to do all the requests I get. Unfortunately I get so many requests that I can't follow up on all of them. I have no imminent plans to do more on Alphaville, but who knows what the future holds. It's one of my all time favorite albums as well.
Great video. I was wondering though, are you not obligated to do a breakdown of an a-ha song sometime in the near future? :-). So many great new wave Norwegian bands, but I think they all followed in the footsteps of a-ha.
Yes that is a tough decision. A lot of their stuff is not pure synth pop I guess. I always liked Sun always shines and The Living Day Lights...too many good songs to chose from though.
Good choice, it was always a very special track to me when I was a teenager and the album was out. The contrasting oboe is a nice touch. it would have to be a track I'd be able to communicate well with my own voice as well and when Morten goes up the octave and into the falsetto at the end I'm not sure I'd be able to make it in this key. Will think about it.
Espen Kraft there are maybe 10 men on the earth who can sing this song and hit those falsettos....Morton is one of them. That opening falsetto brings out emotions right away. I was noticing how a-ha does this same thing that alphaville does a lot of sad lyrical ideas with major chords under them. I find it hard to write happy songs in my own music. Btw...I really loved catching rays on a giant...how about you?
This song always speaks to me - the simple days of childhood and early teens in the 80's. It strikes a minor chord with me especially because i had met a cute girl at summer camp who loved this song (played it incessantly on her walkman), and a couple of years later i found out she had committed suicide :(. I will continue to feel the irony of this song every time i hear it, because it was her anthem, and to me she will always be forever young. Great work Espen! Love the chord progression and enjoyed your analysis.
Thank you! What a story man... I too have a couple of songs that has the same kind of bitter sweet emotions attached to them. I guess music has that power. Anyways, thanks for sharing and thanks for watching! :)
That's SO sad :(
Beautiful story man. May she Rest In Peace
As a kid then and those 1980S chord progressions make my hair stand up. They never fail.
Espen, as someone born in the 90's with a fascination for synth heavy 80's music, I'm so glad I stumble across your channel. Much love from Pittsburgh
Thanks Nic! I appreciate your love for 80s synth infested pop he-he. Thanks for following me and my channel! Greetings from Norway! :)
Im an 1980s kid and that haunting synth progression is very 1980s hits me in the feels.
@@EspenKraft funny, i thought you were German, but now I can suddenly hear the Scandinavian accent😊 as always, great work Espen 👍 Stor hilsen og godt nytår, her fra Danmark.
This song hits me right in the heart every time I hear it anywhere. I’m so blessed to have been a teenager in the 80s.
So simple, and yet so complex... I have not formerly realised how beautiful and sumptuous this chord progression can be...
It's all about how they used the chords and the melody together :)
Epsen, your teaching style is unique and amazing and never seen it even in my university music course. You don’t slap the music to face of the listeners. You bring every piece of emotion from the listeners and connect them to the every single note of the music. Listening to music with no connection is like having best delicious meal when you have cold and all your tasting senses are blocked. You just gave us a piece bread in a forest with all our senses and acceptors open. Thank You.
These are very kind words Araz, thanks! :)
Amazing remake!!! Forever Young is one of my favorite "Canon in D" progression songs. And, you've really brought it alive in this deconstruction 🙏
Awesome man! It's mighty warming to hear this. Thanks! :)
Lets not forget the first pop star, Pachebel, and his cannon in D. his chord sequence goes back to the late 17th century. and countless songs have been written from it. I love Forever young but found your chord sequence even better somehow.Thank you for sharing. Very inspiring.
Thanks! I appreciate you saying that :)
Finally a guy who understands music and the 80s epoc! Vielen dank!
Thanks! The 80s must live on! 😃
I'm old now but forever young. A privileges for us teens back in the 80's
A great pop hymn back in the days when I was really much much younger. Now those days are far away and gone. But thanks, sir, for bringing them back through your synth lessons. Bless!!!
Many thanks! :)
One of my all time favorites of the 80s, whenever this song comes on I stop what I'm doing and soak it in, I like the dance version better and I love the killer trumpet solos!
I remember two years ago, on our city laid, Alphaville were on of the music acts. Great to see them live and
stand next to Marian :-)
That's awesome! What a great memory to have :)
The whole album is brilliant. Still my favourite track is 'Summer in Berlin'.
overall sound is amazing in "Summer in Berlin" I agree. This is also my favorite recording
So hard to find a Summer in Berlin comrade when others go to big in japan
Aha a fellow fan of Summer in Berlin! While Forever Young is the given hit of the album, Summer in Berlin is so quirky and offbeat while maintaining the classic Alphaville nostalgic feeling... just realised the Schiller just released a cover of it in cooperation with Alphaville. In fact, the whole album is titled “Summer in Berlin” and is well worth a listen.
"Summer in Berlin" describes the mood of these (summer)times in summer in Berlin. I couldt imagine very well, the way they felt to write this song, even I grew up in the GDR and was only 15 , I heard this song for the first time. Well done Marian, Bernhard and Frank!
Summer in Berlin is great man. The lead in the aur and the fire in the sky!
Absolutely beatiful approach you did there at the end!
Loved it
Many thanks. Cheers! :D
One of my favourites too. such a powerful song. I was 16 at the time.
Just discovered your channel and I think it's great you focus so much on 80s music. I was a teenager then and tutorials like this bring back many happy memories!
Thanks! That's what I do. ;-)
I loved that song, the whole album, really, back when it came out. It contributed to me starting to make music. Thanks for bringing this back in our memory!
My pleasure man! It's always been one of my favorites as well.
Thanks for putting this together. I have loved this song since being first finding in it via a happy hardcore version (don't laugh!). The really big takeaway, for songwriters like us, is as you say, how this song was written using only basic chords, but the combination of these chords with the melody has yielded a sublime pop song. We can get carried away thinking that we need to be "clever" and "sophisticated" in our songwriting, going to the nth degree to learn all about extended chords, altered chords, chord substitutions, chromatic harmony, Neapolitan 6ths, mixolydian, lydian, whatever-ian, and all the rest of it (the warren goes very deep indeed), and being able to improvise in all 15 keys when in reality, much greatness can be, and has been, achieved with simple chords written in simple keys.
I'm now undertaking an analysis of song myself. There is much to be learnt from songs like this. And it is a good motivator to practise less, write more!
Oh, that happy hardcore version: ruclips.net/video/f2_R2p23yx8/видео.html :-)
Thanks for watching! Sometimes less is more and this track is a fine example, especially when you know they stripped it down to bare minimum just before release. The hardcore version is a prime example of why I don't do 90s music he-he.
Amazing :) inspirational for musicians of today!
Superb stuff; such a haunting song.
So great this song. My whole life favorite song ❤
"These tutorials are all about learning how chords can work together to create beautiful soundscapes and atmospheres, and stir up some nostalgia and emotions that can take you back to that special place you remember [...]. or it can elevate you to a place you´ve only hear about." Very emotive and powerful words, thank you, Espen. BTW, loved the EbMaj7 trick at the end of your version!
I appreciate you commenting as you do man! I'm happy you liked my rework, it's always scary to take on such classics and twisting them around. Some people gets very upset with these things. I love it myself when someone really dig in and cut up my own work, especially when it's done with elegance and finesse.. ;-)
This is close to what I've been practicing on lately. Breaking chords, switching harmonics while keeping the same lead notes.
Cool man!
I completely agree with you, it's the ultimate sound of the 80s. Going back to the place we know :)
And the place we love! :)
Definately. There's just something about the chord progressions and warmth of the synth that says home :)
I really enjoyed your take! It had enough variation to make it really interesting while still being Forever Young
Many thanks! :)
Interresting take on that song, the DX7 E-piano fits quite well, it emphasises the song more as a ballad.
Great! Thanks for watching :)
Wow! You did the song even better with the amazing new chords. Very well done:)
Awesome! That warms my heart to know! :)
You have really inspired me to make my own 80’s music. The tutorials and the analysis of the chords is very good and you explain it in a easy way. I’m glad I found you in the RUclips jungle:) Thank you very much!
Great! Just go for it :)
Enjoying your channel, loved your arrangement. Greatly appreciate your tutorials!
Many thanks Tom! :)
Great explication, probably one of the very first synthpop songs I've ever heard 13 years ago, when I was 6 (along with "Acqua e Sapone" by the italian band "Stadio", a song with incredible atmospheres). What used to love, and still love about this is that PPG Wave choir sound coming up at the beginning (the same used in "Violence" by the Pet Shop Boys), that sounds so ethereal, I call that "the Forever Young sound", probably my favorite sound from that synth. Being me young now, it sounds very sensible to me, it's a sort of anthem of these awesome days (and years). Thank you so much :)
All I can say brother is that you are an inspiration. Keep schooling us!
Thanks! I have more coming this winter so stay tuned :)
Thank you very much for another 80's geek. You and Paolo (Synthmania) are the reason that I have just started to learn to play keyboard :)
Thanks Thomas! I'm very happy to hear you're inspired to pick up the keys after watching my channel! Paulo is a great guy as well so following him is very wise! :)
Exactly the same happened to me :)
Same, i love these two channels and start to learning how to play. Seeking old gear is fun too.
Really talented man!! :) Just keep doing that you do.
Many thanks! :D
I love your chord progression especially on the Chorus by adding the E flat 7 ?? Awesomeness!!
Thanks Johnny! Yes, the Ebmajor7 has a nice feel to it right there. Thanks for watching! :)
I love this channel!!!
Greetings from the Caribbean Sea! The tiny island (archipelago!) of Puerto Rico!
Great rendition (variation) of the song at the end! Great chords! Thank u so much for making these videos! Wishing you the best of health!
Sweet! Many thanks. :D
Your version at the end is like the Pet Shop Boys would have written the song. Like both.
Nice version of great song!!! I like it!!
Cheers! :D
Loved your interpretation Espen...
Thanks Deniz! :)
Is there such a thing as gear-envy? Well if there is, I have it. :) AMAZING WORK on this!
Envy destroys the soul... ;-)
have seen several similar explanations, however this is so far the best one! great job!
Sweet, thanks! :)
great deconstruction and a great song! what a powerful emotional result from such simple, repetitive chord changes. I love the song but it's so powerful that it literally makes me feel uncomfortable and anxious at moments... like it's hard to breathe, knowing how mortal I am, and all of the people I love. best of luck to all of you reading this :)
Thanks man! :)
Thank You for your work and sharing. So many people are actually "stuck" (in a good way) in 80ies, effectively staying "forever young"... ;-)
Thanks Juris! Yes, let's stay forever young in the best way possible, through the 80s music :)
and in all ways!
Very cool remake you made. It sounds like a mix of Man against the world by Survivor, Pet shop boys and Alphaville.
Cool, thanks man! :)
Espen, you are a man after my own heart. You love 80s synth pop and 80s culture, and I often see in the background you've been drinking a tasty Dr. Pepper! Thanks for your great content!
Thanks! Yes, I like Dr.Pepper a lot. ;-)
You variation at the end works a lot better for me.
You forgot to talk about the great, iconic ending to the song!
exactly I came to this video ONLY for it
I am currently planning writing my own synth-pop song. Alphaville's "Forever Young" I am thinking about covering. If it comes out well, I will even lay down the synth tracks, and perform it live with an acoustic guitar.
Idolizing bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Alphaville, Kraftwerk, The Human League, etc.. I have shifted my music style from acoustic folk/indie to electronic. Even combining the two.
Your music, Espen, is amazing. I have a few tracks on my Spotify "electronic" playlist. "The Weekend" and "Don't Go".
Keep it you, and keep these videos coming!! Rock on😎
Bravo especially for your personal version, it's like a goosebump-generator - and thank you!!
Awesome. Thanks! :)
great analysis, well done!
Thanks!
Oh this is fantastic Espen! Cool of you to really take the time to break this song down for us. You do it in a way that is so personal and translates so well that it makes sense and can be a quick lesson.
Your a great teacher!
Thanks Molly. I appreciate you saying that! :)
Very interesting and very well explained. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks! :)
Very nice ‘Espen style’ rendition of on of the musical milestones in my life! This Alphaville seminal album opened up the world of synthesiser music to me. Kudos!
Cheers! :)
when I hear this song - I'm crying!
Yep. Digging the chord variations a lot.
Amazing explanation and cover Espen! Just a slight change in lyrics, whereas you get in tune with the music of the madman: “Praising our leaders, we're getting in tune
The music's played by the, the madman”
Keep up the great work! Love your channel, and yes(!) raised in the eighties of course. 😁👍
Thanks Dennis! I must confess I didn't pick up on that, but it was done live in one take. ;-) We'll keep the decade alive! :D
Espen Kraft absolutely! My kids are actually fond of the 80th and pass it on to their friends. 😁👍
Mine too! ;-)
Love your version! Again amazing job!
Thanks again! :)
You nailed it Espen. Took away all the feeling of the song, as I see it.....I know I know.....I´m too old ;-)
I'm old too...
Great description and sense 👍
Thanks! :D
Great done!! Sound is awesome! So warm and high quality!
Very happy to hear it! :) Thanks
snyggt jobbat espen!
Tackar! :)
With your cover you alleviated your own voice to suit. The strength and meaning of the song are lost, being "forever young" is an obvious farce and you proved that with certainty and innuendo, which ultimately makes it insignificant. (it isn't a lullaby)
Great track, almost forgot about it
Sure, making covers is all about making them pretty different from the original in my opinion. Making covers true to the originals are recreations and I'm not interested in that. You read too much into the meaning of the words for my taste as well, words are propelled by rhythm, verse and flow of vowels in addition to "meaning" when I write for myself and when I break down other peoples tracks in these videos it's to provide guidelines for use in your own writing/composing so to do that I aim my angle much based on own interpretation of the original work. One might agree or disagree with this and it's always interesting to hear other peoples opinions in such things so thanks for commenting and letting us know your emotional response to my "angle". :)
WOW!! This is so fascinating to watch and listen to you analysing my favourite times in music. THANKS A BUNCH!!!
My pleasure. Thanks! :)
Well, I spent 30 minutes just repeatedly playing these chords :D of course on my JX-8P
Maybe I should record my own version...?
You should do what your heart tells you! :)
If I just would have enough time... :)
But it's one of my "to do" things from today :D
There's never enough time! I know how it is.
@@EspenKraft I just found this comment. I can't believe that I complained for lack of time then! Half a year later I did my own cover with two Rolands: JX8P and D50. Not being humble for a moment I must say, that my version is veeeery good :)
wow you nailed the vocal sound what was your chain
Sweet! Thanks. Mic to Mackie preamp and piped through Yamaha 01v as ADAT into the DAW. Compression, SSL EQ, DeEssing, Eventide H3000 as inserts. Some Valhalla Plate reverb and some delay and it all gets another dash of compression through paralell routing and out. Easy peasy... ;-)
yesss How ve I not seen this before thank you
Cheers!
Great mate, you unfolding the beauty behind this song made my day here in Australia
That's awesome Matthew! So glad to hear it! :)
Thankyou Espen, you are just the best, I love it, I also wonder if Anders and yourself can do a session just speaking in your Norwegian native tongue I would really enjoy trying to pick that up, cheers from New Zealand.
Thanks! I'm not sure I'd like to do a whole live stream in Norwegian, but we did exchange a few lines in Norwegian in the live stream just before New Years eve. ;-)
I watched that Espen and I thought it was just fine that is what spiked my interest, by the way I have just tried to follow the chords of forever young you played and finally cracked it and that gave me real buzz, I am using my Roland XP - 50 withe SR-JV80 - 04 vintage expansion on patch number 111 Juno 106 pad, it is now 22:10 here in New Zealand and I must go to bed, once again thanks for your invaluable time, cheers.
Espen, Thank you very much for your explanations of „For ever Young“ . This Song is one of my favourite Ballads of the Eighties and today for me and my wife the Headline of our Life.
But there is someting I want to know since 1982.... which Synth plays the awesome Voicesound at the beginning ?
Is it from PPG System ?
This is still so beautiful, that I get totay the shower on my Skin .....
Thanks for your answer and stay Safe !
They did use a PPG, not sure if that's on that. ;-)
Beautiful. Really nice. Thank you for this. Very informative also. I knew you'd do this wonderfully... How about Big in Japan? That's my personal fave 80's track that stirs me up emotionally.
Thank you! As I have a Forever Young (and a cover) tutorial on my channel from before I'm not going to do anymore Alphaville.
Your Em7 EbMaj7 Dm7 G11 progression is wonderful. Unexpected, but fits in perfectly at that point in the song. Very nice.
Many thanks! When I do a cover I like to change it up a bit, or else what's the point of doing a cover? ;-)
I believe Jerusalem from Alphaville is the best Pop song ever!Nothing sounds as good as old synth 80's pop.
Hello Espen! Great Tutorial & video 👍👍👍Greetings Matthias 🎹🎵🎶🎵🎹
Thanks Matthias! :)
Your version is the best!
WOW! Your rendition of "Forever Young" that you play at the end is way better than the original. I love it! Just so so beautiful. Those lush chords... Damn, that's good! =)
BTW, what keyboards are you using on your version? Sounds like the electric piano is layered with a string pad?
Thanks man! Mighty glad you liked it :)
It's a triple combo. Pad from Elka 22, low strings from the Juno 2 itself and Electric Piano from the MKS-20. All controlled from the Juno 2 as seen in the video.
Nice smoothjazzy take on an amazing 80s anthem. I like it.
Awesome Stefano, thanks! :)
Sweet tune. I play this tune too.
I love your variation. Beautiful.
Thanks! :)
Wonderful, thanks for this! Interestingly it's also the same chord progression as 'Let It Be'.
Macca famouly wrote 'Let It Be' after he was inspired by Aha's 'Take On Me', Bob Marley's 'No Woman, No Cry', and Adele's 'Someone Like You'.
Love you stuff, new subscriber, great content! Could you possibly do a tear down of West End Girls, or another great PSB track please? I’m learning chords at the ripe old age of 47, so would love something familiar to try and practice! Cheers
Thanks Rob! I'm very wary about doing a breakdown, cover or remake of any Pet Shop Boys stuff as I have too much influences of them in my own music and I don't want to end up being considered a tribute artist/band of those... tricky this ;-)
Espen Kraft of course, fair enough and understand, no worries. Cheers
Never say never though ;-) cheers
Just another great look at a great song Espen. I am enjoying working through this, especially now I have the JD-XA and the Sys-8 setup at home. It is always surprising, although it shouldn't be, how those slight chord variations make such beautiful changes to a song. Thank you so much for taking the time to put these wonderful videos together to share with us all around the world . Take care.
Thanks Colin! Yeah, you have a great setup there and you should be able to make some quality stuff with it! As for my take on the track in this video, it's always daunting to change up too much in a loved classic, but thankfully most so far has liked it so I'm happy about that. I will never do cover versions too close to the originals. Where's the fun in that? :) Take care, mate! :)
your alternative chords were excellent..alphaville were a great minimalist Band
Thanks! Yeah, the were great back then. SImple, yet effective and beautiful in approach.
Very well done, Espen. The arrangement at the end didn't sit quite right in my ears, but it's possible the dissonance was just my brain clinging to the original harmonies. Always look forward to your videos.
Thanks Ryan! I can certianly understand that messing with such a classic can upset (in different ways) ears used to hearing the only TRUE version. I'm like that myself, but I also love cover versions of classics done completely different than the originals. To simply make re-creations isn't my thing so either notes or sound/production must change drastically if I'm to make a cover. And I have more in the loop... ;-)
Espen Kraft Yes, I completely agree. Sometimes that dissonant reaction is a great source of reflection. A new perspective. That is what art is all about, after all.
Such a cool song it was used in Napoleon Dynamite!!
my favorite song too. both disco and slow version are great
I agree with you!
hi espen Karft please one an other request ,if it is possible , could you show us how to play humaine nature ,michel jackson;thanks
That would definitely be interesting!
OHHHHH SO YES,
FANTASTIC! THANK YOU FOR THE MAGIC! ! ! ! ! !
Cheers! :D
It's like a singer-and-guitar song, only this time singer-and-synth. If you can make it work with only those, it's a good song! :)
It's definitely such a track! :)
Thanks for a nice tutorial. What's the synth pad sound you're using? What synth? I really like it. Is it identical to what they used on the song?
While you're own version of the song sounds ok, it would never had been a hit in the 80s. Some times simple = memorable, and in my opinion, that's what nailed it for Alphaville. Especially since their core audience was teenagers. :-)
Thanks! The pad isn't meant to be an exact copy of their sound. It's a combo of a pad from the Elka 22 synth and a low string from the Juno 2 itself. In my own version at the end I bring in some electric piano from the MKS-20 as well. My little cover was never meant to be anything than to show what you can do by taking some liberties with the chords. This whole tutorial is to look at chords really. I doubt this version would have gone well in the 80s he-he so you're right on that :)
Hei Espen, nice tut and beautiful singing :-)
Takk Eivind! Thanks a million ;D
One of my fav' s track too!
Great tutorial as always!
Thanks Espen.
Regards.
Mysterio FTS
Thanks you Sir! :)
great reharm and performance, like the Eb thing, on the original I love the Dm always a bit unexpected. what synth and fx for the beautiful pad? Sharp chords FTW :)
Thank you brother! The pad is made up of the Elka 22 and the Juno 2, the first is the pads and the Juno does the low strings. Blended together with Strymon BlueSky. In my live cover I also bring in the MKS-20 with its classic Electric Piano preset 8 with the analog chorus. Can't beat that imo :)
no wonder it sounded nice then! i thought it was dx7 epiano blended in your version. sounded great either way!
Espen, your stuff is GREAT! Break down a Pet Shop Boys song next :) 80s forever!
Thanks! I'm not sure I'll do a Pet Shop Boys track on my channel, when I'm so close to them in my own sound and singing. I have other 80s acts lined up in the near future though :)
Great video, thank you so much.
In regards to your version, it's funny - what came to mind instantly was that obviously, the original is from the early 80's yet your version sounded very 88-89 late 80's and American. I wonder if you would agree, and if so, why is that?
Thanks Zoe! I think my version sounds late 80s because of the use of all the minor7 and major7 chords, and also because I sing in a minor scale as well. Until Pet Shop Boys came along in 1985 the use of major7 chords in synthpop was very rare and their Italo influences (from among otheres Bobby O) really took off after that and many american acts and producers picked up on that vibe so maybe some part of the equation is there?
As I draw much more influences from early european synthpop I find it interesting that you point out that I sound american :)
Thanks for watching! :)
i LIKE THE ORIGINGINAL TONE SETUP
Hello Espen Kraft, because you do not multitrack these classic themes and put a download link, thank you very much, greetings!
Hello ,
I see you have a Seinheiser headset, I have one also in 250ohms, so high impedance, but when I play, the voice is very attenuated live because of this strong impedance, do you have any advice to remedy this? thank you ... and congratulations for this video 😉
Thanks! The headset I'm wearing in the video is a Beyer Dynamic DT770 and I have the 80 Ohm version of it and it sounds just fabolous with that lower impedance. I have enough juice in my preamp though, but I originally bought if to be used through more consumer oriented gear. I don't own any Sennheiser headsets. I have AKGs though.
Espen Kraft I was wrong brand is a Beyerdynamic too. But in 250Ohms. Thinking that the sound would be purer, and it's true .. but I did not know that it could affect and attenuate the microphone and also the synths, so I'm forced to mount the sound of the tracks but my recorder is in the red. And if I down a little my recorder, I do not get along well .. I go around in circles.
You simply don't have enough gain on the amp you plug it into. Try to get one with lower impedance like 80 Ohms!
Excelent work!!! I love this song!!! :)
Thanks Abril! :)
In your opinion what's the best all around synth to replicate that 80's feel and sound? Just curious I'm thinking about learning to play and I'd love to play some of the songs that I grew up listening to in the 1980's
For ME, the synth that comes closest to replicating my teenage dreams and that gives me the biggest nostalgia factor AND is responsible for my most iconic 80s sounds is the Roland JX-8P. With that it's instant 1985!
Очень красивая интерпретация, хотя, конечно немного непривычный переход на Eb maj 7. Эту версию я назвал бы облегченной, или более джазовой. Я сейчас подобную музыку стараюсь научиться делать, используя технику, имеющуюся в моей студии. Ваше видео очень помогает понять какой звук должен быть. Спасибо за прекрасные ролики!
Many thanks Aleks! Happy you found it inspiring!
I have the original 1984 album in vinyl and it's a masterpiece, personally one of the best albums ever created. Could you perform or explain big in japan or a victory of love?
I wish I had time to do all the requests I get. Unfortunately I get so many requests that I can't follow up on all of them. I have no imminent plans to do more on Alphaville, but who knows what the future holds. It's one of my all time favorite albums as well.
Great video. I was wondering though, are you not obligated to do a breakdown of an a-ha song sometime in the near future? :-). So many great new wave Norwegian bands, but I think they all followed in the footsteps of a-ha.
Thanks man! Yes, I probably should do something on one of their tracks, but which one? ;-)
Yes that is a tough decision. A lot of their stuff is not pure synth pop I guess. I always liked Sun always shines and The Living Day Lights...too many good songs to chose from though.
Living a boys adventure tale would be a good one....this track is pure synth pop, and I’ve always liked it.
Good choice, it was always a very special track to me when I was a teenager and the album was out. The contrasting oboe is a nice touch. it would have to be a track I'd be able to communicate well with my own voice as well and when Morten goes up the octave and into the falsetto at the end I'm not sure I'd be able to make it in this key. Will think about it.
Espen Kraft there are maybe 10 men on the earth who can sing this song and hit those falsettos....Morton is one of them. That opening falsetto brings out emotions right away. I was noticing how a-ha does this same thing that alphaville does a lot of sad lyrical ideas with major chords under them. I find it hard to write happy songs in my own music. Btw...I really loved catching rays on a giant...how about you?