The NeverEnding Story (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

• 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.
• 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, however 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

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] 7^1 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"

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. "NeverEnding Story", various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 24 February 2008)
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. "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. Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved 1 September 2008)
12. 1984 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved 1 September 2008)