The NeverEnding Story (song)

This article is about the title song from the film. For the 2003 single by a Dutch band, see Never Ending Story (Within Temptation song).
"The NeverEnding Story"
Single by Limahl
from the album Don't Suppose and The NeverEnding Story
B-side "Ivory Tower" or Instrumental version
Released 1984
Format 7" single, 12" maxi
Recorded January 1984
Genre Synthpop, new wave
Length 3:31
Label EMI
Writer(s) Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey
Producer(s) Giorgio Moroder
Limahl singles chronology
"Too Much Trouble"
(1984)		 "NeverEnding Story"
(1984)		 "Tar Beach"
(1984)

"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.

Original version

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.[1] 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

Cover versions

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

Certifications

Country Certification Date Sales certified
UK[2] Silver December 1, 1984 200,000

Charts

Chart (1984–1985) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart 6
Austrian Singles Chart[3] 2
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[4] 3
French SNEP Singles Chart[3] 71
German Singles Chart[5] 2
Irish Singles Chart[6] 4
Italian FIMI Singles Chart[7] 2
Japanese Oricon Weekly Singles Chart 5
Japanese Oricon International Singles Chart 1
New Zealand Singles Chart[8] 28
Norwegian Singles Chart[8] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[9] 1
Swedish Singles Chart[3] 1
Swiss Singles Chart[3] 3
UK Singles Chart[10] 4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] 17
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[11] 6
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[11] 10
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[11] 23
End of year chart (1984) Position
Australian Singles Chart 49
Austrian Singles Chart[12] 11

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

Preceded by
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder		 Swedish Singles Chart number-one single
23 November 1984 – 7 December 1984 		Succeeded by
"Forever Young" by Alphaville
Norwegian VG-lista Singles Chart number-one single
26 November 1984 – 7 January 1985 		Succeeded by
"Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid
Preceded by
"Easy Lover" by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins		 Japanese Oricon International Weekly Singles Chart number-one single
18 March 1985 – 15 April 1985 		Succeeded by
"We Are the World" by USA for Africa

References

  1. ↑ "'NeverEnding Story' Release Info". Limahl.co.uk. Retrieved June 17, 2010. (dead)
  2. ↑ UK certifications Bpi.co.uk (Retrieved 3 September 2008)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "NeverEnding Story", various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 24 February 2008)
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved 1 September 2008)
  6. ↑ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 24 February 2008)
  7. ↑ Italian Singles Chart HitParadeItalia.it (Retrieved 12 September 2008)
  8. 1 2 "Limahl - The Never Ending Story (song)". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  10. ↑ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved 1 September 2008)
  11. 1 2 3 4 Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved 1 September 2008)
  12. ↑ 1984 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved 1 September 2008)
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