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Nineteen Forever
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Wikipedia article
"'Nineteen Forever'" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from his eighth studio album 'Blaze of Glory'. It was written and produced by Jackson. "Nineteen Forever" reached No. 4 on the US 'Billboard' Modern Rock Tracks and No. 16 on 'Billboard' Album Rock Tracks charts.
The song's music video was directed by Alex Proyas and was Jackson's first since 1982's "Steppin' Out". In line with the song's lyrics about aging rock stars, Jackson appeared in the video with a wig, make-up, prosthetic belly and lame jacket. Jackson performed the song on his 1989 tour with the same costume and would dedicate the song to "all those rock bands on tour this summer after having retired several times".
Critical reception
Upon release, 'Music & Media' described the song as "intelligent pop" and Jackson's "best bet for a hit" since "Steppin' Out". 'Billboard' considered the song a "straightforward, no-frills pop release". In a review of 'Blaze of Glory', 'Spin' described the song as a "swinging pop anthem".
Park Puterbaugh of 'Rolling Stone' commented: "Another theme [on 'Blaze of Glory'] is the rise of rock & roll, its promises and failures. There [is] a sardonic song about the delusion of wanting to be "Nineteen Forever"." 'The Philadelphia Inquirer' commented: "Nineteen Forever", his attempt at the big-backbeat Jersey sound, calls up a dreamy place, one that puts the sincerity of his vocal in question." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic noted "Nineteen Forever" as being a "brisk, stylish pop song".
Track listing
;7" single
#"Nineteen Forever" - 4:43
#"Acropolis Now" (Instrumental) - 4:16
;CD single
#"Nineteen Forever" - 4:43
#"Acropolis Now" (Instrumental) - 4:16
;CD single (US promo)
#"Nineteen Forever" (Early Fade) - 4:34
#"Nineteen Forever" (LP Version) - 5:43
Personnel
* Joe Jackson - lead vocals, harmony vocals, chorus vocals
* Tom Teeley - guitar, chorus vocals
* Vinnie Zummo - electric sitar
* Ed Roynesdal - Hammond organ, syntheiser
* Graham Maby - bass, chorus vocals
* Gary Burke - drums
* Chris Hunter - alto saxophone
* Tony Aiello - tenor saxophone, soloist
* Charles Gordon - trombone
* Michael Morreale, Tony Barrero - trumpet
* Drew Barfield, Joy Askew - chorus vocals
'Production'
* Joe Jackson - producer, arranger
* Ed Roynesdal - associate producer
* Joe Barbaria - engineer
* Thom Cadley - assistant engineer
* Bridget Daly - mixing assistant
* Bob Ludwig - mastering
Charts
References
Category:1989 singles
Category:1989 songs
Category:Joe Jackson (musician) songs
Category:Songs written by Joe Jackson (musician)
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