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Together Forever (Rick Astley song)

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"Together Forever" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Rick Astley and released by RCA and BMG as the fourth single from his debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody (1987). The song reached number two in the United Kingdom, behind Neighbours star and fellow Stock Aitken Waterman artist Kylie Minogue's debut single "I Should Be So Lucky". The single was a worldwide hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 18 June 1988, becoming Astley's second US chart-topper. It also topped the charts in Canada, Ireland and Spain, and was a top ten hits in many European countries.

"Together Forever"
Single by Rick Astley
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody
B-side"I'll Never Set You Free"
Released15 February 1988[1]
Recorded1987
GenreDance-pop
Length3:24
Label
Songwriter(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
Producer(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
Rick Astley singles chronology
"When I Fall in Love" / "My Arms Keep Missing You"
(1987) 		"Together Forever"
(1988) 		"It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"
(1988)
Music video
"Together Forever" on YouTube
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Number One[2]

Composition and releases

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The song uses a similar chord structure and melody to Astley's debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" (like most songs written and produced by Stock/Aitken/Waterman at the time),[3] and has occasionally been used as an alternate Rickroll song. In 2019, Astley recorded and released a 'Reimagined' version of the song for his album The Best of Me, which features a new piano arrangement.[4]

Critical reception

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Michele Kirsch from NME said, "Wipe out the vocal on this one, Karoake style, and you can sing "Never Gonna Give You Up" which is fine by us." She also felt Astley "adds a human touch to all this computerized madness. That's fidelity he's singing about. He's the milk and sugar in the bitter tea of Life."[5] Colin Irwin from Number One wrote, "The song itself is another of those unforgettable little tunes which Mr Stock, Mr Aitken and Mr Waterman write in their sleep. [...] Ricks sings his darling little heart out and it all sounds brill to me."[2] Eleanor Levy of Record Mirror considered "Together Forever" as being "one more variation on the 'fast one', adding that the formula used for "Never Gonna Give You Up" "is repeated for the umpteenth time and begins to sound tired and not particularly emotional".[6] In a review published in Smash Hits, Patsy Kensit considered it is "not as good as "Never Gonna Give You Up"", to which it sounds similar but with a different chorus, but added that "as far as that goes in a disco people don't care".[7] Retrospectively, in 2021, British magazine Classic Pop ranked "Together Forever" number 20 in their list of "Top 40 Stock/Aitken/Waterman songs", naming it, along with "I Should Be So Lucky", "another SAW pop masterpiece".[8]

Chart performance

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In the UK, "Together Forever" started at number nine on 27 February 1988, and reached number two for consecutive two weeks, being blocked from the number one slot by another SAW song, "I Should Be So Lucky", and charted for nine weeks,[9] which led it to be the 49th best-selling single of 1988 in UK.[10] It also topped the singles charts in the Walloon region of Belgium, Spain and Ireland, charting for five weeks in the latter country,[11][12] peaked at number two in the Flanders region of Belgium, number five in Italy and Germany, with a 16-week chart run on the German Singles Chart,[13][14][15] and was a top ten hit in Iceland and Austria where it attained number six and ten.[16][17] In addition, it missed the top ten by one place in Finland and by two places in Denmark and the Netherlands,[18][19][20] and culminated at number 14 in Switzerland and number 18 in France.[21][22] On the Pan-European Hot 100 Singles chart established by the Music & Media magazine, it debuted at number 31 on 5 March 1988,[23] reached number one for one week two weeks later and charted for 28 weeks divided into two segments due to its late release in France. Much aired in the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and France where it topped the airplay charts, it reached number two for consecutive three weeks on the European Airplay Top 50,[24] on which it totaled 15 weeks of presence. Outside Europe, "Together Forever" became Astley's second number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching this position for a sole week on 25 February 1988, and remained on the chart for a total of 18 weeks.[25] It also topped the Dance Club Songs chart and reached number two on the Adult Contemporary Chart,[26][27] was also a number one hit in Canada,[28] a top ten hit in New Zealand, and had less success in Australia, where it peaked at number 19.[29][30]

Music video

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In a YouTube community post saying "Soon all will become clear..."[31] and celebrating the announcement of the Whenever You Need Somebody remastered edition studio album, the music video has been upgraded to 4K as of March 2022, restoring the music video and switching the Lover's Leap remix audio back to the album version when the original music video used the 7" single version.[32][33] In addition, the single was also reissued as a digital EP on 23 March 2022, which also includes the "reimagined" version from Astley's compilation album The Best of Me.[34]

Track listing

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  • 7" and mini CD single
  1. "Together Forever" (Lover's Leap remix) – 3:20
  2. "I'll Never Set You Free" – 3:30
  • 12" maxi
  1. "Together Forever" (Lover's Leap extended remix) – 7:00
  2. "I'll Never Set You Free" – 3:30
  • Digital EP
  1. "Together Forever" (2022 remaster) – 3:25
  2. "Together Forever" (reimagined) – 4:01
  3. "Together Forever" (Lover's Leap remix) – 3:20
  4. "Together Forever" (House of Love mix) – 6:56

Personnel

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Musicians

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Technical

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  • Stock Aitken Waterman – production
  • Mark McGuire – engineering
  • Phil Harding, Karen Hewitt, Mike Duffy, Jamie Bromfield – additional engineering
  • Yoyo, Jonathan King, Peter Day, Boky, Gordon Dennis – engineering assistance
  • Pete Hammond – mixing

Charts

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Cover versions

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The song has been covered by artists such as José Galisteo,[45] Jolina Magdangal,[46] and Nina Nesbitt.[47] The Voice coaches Blake Shelton, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas covered the song to celebrate the show's 20th season, with Astley calling their version of the song "incredible."[48][49] The song was used as a demo on the Casio CA-100 electronic keyboard.[50]

References

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  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 30.
  2. ^ a b Irwin, Colin (27 February 1988). "Singles". Number One. p. 42. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Five Rick Astley tracks we can't wait to see live at Highest Point 2021". Skiddle. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  4. ^ Brungardt, Leah (12 November 2019). "An Interview with 'Never Gonna Give You Up' Singer Rick Astley on His Iconic Hit Song, His Newest Album and Much More!". All Access Music. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  5. ^ Kirsch, Michele (27 February 1988). "45". NME. p. 18. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  6. ^ Levy, Eleanor (27 February 1988). "Singles reviewed by Eleanor Levy" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 13. ISSN 0144-5804. Retrieved 30 October 2023 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ Kensit, Patsy (10–23 February 1988). "Singles reviewed by Patsy Kensit" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 10, no. 3. p. 54. ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved 14 November 2023 – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ "Top 40 Stock Aitken Waterman songs". Classic Pop. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Rick Astley: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Top 100 Singles – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. 4 March 1989. p. 12. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved 29 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ a b c "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 13. 26 March 1988. p. 24. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 4 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  12. ^ a b Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 14 February 2008)
  13. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Rick Astley".
  15. ^ a b "Offiziellecharts.de – Rick Astley – Together Forever" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10 (22. janúar 1988)". Dagbladid Visir (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Rick Astley". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 21. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  19. ^ a b Danish Singles Chart. 1 April 1988.
  20. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 12. 19 March 1988. p. 22-23. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 4 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  24. ^ a b "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 13. 26 March 1988. p. 29. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 4 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  25. ^ a b "Rick Astley Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  26. ^ a b "Rick Astley Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  27. ^ a b "Rick Astley Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8714." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  30. ^ a b "Rick Astley – Together Forever". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Soon all will become clear..." YouTube. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Rick Astley - Together Forever (Official Video) [Remastered in 4K]". YouTube. BMG. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  33. ^ To celebrate the announcement of the Whenever You Need Somebody remastered edition, the video for Together Forever has been lovingly restored from the original film and is now available in 4K! - Rick x #WYNS2022, retrieved 23 March 2022
  34. ^ Together Forever - EP, retrieved 22 March 2022
  35. ^ "Los Éxitos en Latinoamérica". UPI. 9 November 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 16. 16 April 1988. p. 20. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  37. ^ "Los Éxitos en Latinoamérica". UPI. 25 June 1988. p. 10. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  38. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  39. ^ "Top Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 12 March 1988. p. 16. Retrieved 28 August 2023 – via World Radio History.
  40. ^ "1988 Belgian Flanders Singles Chart" (in Dutch). ultratop.be. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  41. ^ "1988 Year-End Eurocharts - Ariplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 29. Retrieved 11 June 2024 – via World Radio History.
  42. ^ "1988 Year End Eurocharts" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 January 1988. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  43. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1988". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Billboard Top 100–1988". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  45. ^ "Remember by José Galisteo". January 2007 – via itunes.apple.com.
  46. ^ "Lovestruck (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists". August 2005 – via itunes.apple.com.
  47. ^ "Together Forever Single by Nina Nesbitt". Apple Music. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  48. ^ Lindsay Lowe (24 February 2021). "Shoulder pads galore! 'The Voice' coaches drop '80s-inspired music video". Today.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  49. ^ Gil Kaufman (24 February 2021). "Watch Rick Astley React to 'The Voice' Judges Covering 'Together Forever': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  50. ^ Lederman, Marsha (20 June 2012). "A guide to the work of Patrick Lundeen". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
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