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"
File:The neverending story.jpg
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. 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.

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) - 3:30
• "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	Silver	December 1, 1984	200,000

Charts

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

End of year chart (1984)	Position
Australian Singles Chart	49
Austrian Singles Chart	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