"Forever" | ||||
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Single by Chris Brown | ||||
from the album Exclusive: The Forever Edition | ||||
Released | April 29, 2008 | |||
Studio | Village Studios (Los Angeles) | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 4:38 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Forever" on YouTube |
"Forever" is a song by American singer Chris Brown. Brown co-wrote the song with Andre Merritt, Rob Allen, Brian Kennedy, and Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones; the latter two are also the producers. Initially created to be used for a Doublemint commercial, [1] "Forever" was selected to be released as the lead single from the reissue version of Brown's second studio album Exclusive , titled the Forever Edition, and the fifth single overall from the album. It was first released for digital download on November 2, 2007, in a few countries, followed the next April with a retail single CD released in Europe.
The song reached number one in Ireland and New Zealand as well as peaking within the top ten in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States. It also reached the top forty in Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The accompanying music video features Brown in several scenes pursuing his love interest. The video features many dancers and digital effects. The official remix features Lil Wayne and Lupe Fiasco.
The song was written by Brown and his songwriting team, the Graffiti Artists (Rob Allen and Andre Merritt). He stated that after entering the studio, Polow da Don created a beat that Brown wrote along to. Because the producer's style was "more of a European, techno, house-type feel," [2] the group "wanted to give it that other side of crossover, and go a little bit to that pop realm". [2] "Forever" is one of four new songs Brown recorded for the re-release of his second studio album Exclusive . The song was first intended to be on Brown's following album, but decided he "wasn't ready to release a new album yet". [3]
"Forever" is an extended version of a commercial jingle for Doublemint gum, commissioned by an advertising company working for Wrigley. Brown first created the short version for the commercial, then extended and expanded it into a full song during a recording session in February 2007, which was paid for by the gum company. [1] Originally, the plan was to follow up his third single, "With You," with the Kanye West-featuring "Down," but the new material won out. [4] Although the label initially was reluctant to release "Forever" as a single, the song was so "potent and strong" that it overruled any hesitations regarding its commercial connections. [1]
The song was first released for digital download on November 2, 2007, in Denmark, [5] Belgium, [6] and New Zealand, [7] and on November 6 in France. [8] The next year, it was released on April 22, 2008, in Australia, [9] Canada, [10] and Japan, [11] then on August 12, 2008, in the United States [12] and Germany. [13]
An EP featuring three remixes was released in Ireland on June 13, 2008, [14] in Australia, Austria and the Netherlands on June 16, 2008, [15] [16] [17] and in Japan on August 13, 2008. [18]
"Forever" is a dance-pop [19] love song that runs for 4 minutes and 38 seconds. [20] It contains influences of trance and techno, [21] as well as of Timbaland's production style, with synthesized voices over a drum machine pattern. [21] Brown performed the song using the autotune vocal effect, as he did in one of his previous singles, "Kiss Kiss". [22] According to the digital sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, it is written in the key of B major, with a simple chord progression of E-B-F♯-C♯m. The song maintains a tempo of 120 beats per minute in common time. Brown's vocal range spans nearly an octave and a half from B3 to G♯5. [23]
The two-day shoot took place in Los Angeles, California, at the beginning of March 2008. It was directed by Joseph Kahn. The video premiered on TRL on April 30, 2008, and on BET's 106 & Park on May 5, 2008. The video reached number one on the MTV Online Chart. [24] BET placed the song at number 55 on their Notarized: Top 100 Videos countdown. Brown's main love interest in the video is played by model Megan Abrigo. [25]
The music video starts off with Brown driving up to a nightclub, unwrapping a fresh stick of Doublemint gum, and walking inside. People are seen dancing while Brown starts to sing the first verse. Brown is also seen singing with light effects circling him. During the choruses, Brown and his background dancers start to house dance on the empty dance floor. Among the dancers are Marie Courchinoux and Rino Nakasone Razalan from Beat Freaks. In the second verse, Brown is walking outside the club following his love interest. Later he is seen performing a 540 crescent kick in front of a water fountain. During the bridge, Brown is seen in the top roof with his love interest; the girl falls off the roof and Brown jumps to catch her. The two land safely, and after the final chorus, Brown drives away from the club. [26]
According to the Billboard , the song's video is "digital dream about sharing with one who makes your world stop." [20] The video was popular in American television. The video for "Forever" debuted on BET's 106 & Park at number 10 on July 21, 2008, before finally reach number 2 and has stayed in the countdown for nine days. The video also has reached number 2 on for 8 days MTV TRL , behind Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl", and has stayed in the countdown for 29 days.
The video for "Forever" was also popular enough across Asia, by debuting at number 13 on MTV Asia program, "Chart Attack", which count 20 most popular video in Asia and so far has peaked at number 1 replacing Mariah Carey's "Bye Bye". "Forever" also debuted at number 7 on MTV Hip Hop Countdown; MTV Asian program which count 10 most popular urban video in the region and has reached number 1 for six consecutive weeks. [27] In UK, it has reached number 1 on MTV Base. It also has peaked at number 1 on the MTV Online Chart for several weeks. [28] The video was nominated in the "Best Dancing in a Video", "Best Choreography" and "Video of the Year" categories 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.
Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song four and a half stars, and said it was one of Brown's best to date. [21] Billboard stated that the single "is really a love song but bangs with electrified production from Polow Da Don to ignite dancefloors." [20] Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy gave the song two out of five stars, saying "Listening to 'Forever' is a pleasant enough experience, but this track never truly sparks into life or finds its own identity." He went on to say that, "His style is a bit hard to distinguish from Usher, Ne-Yo and the rest of the current crop of American male solo artists." [29] HotNewHipHop mentioned "Forever" as a "standout track in Chris Brown’s discography, highlighting his ability to craft timeless hits that transcend musical genres". [30]
"Forever" has reached number one in Ireland and New Zealand, and the top ten in Australia, Canada, the United States and the UK.[ citation needed ]
The song debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs on May 10, 2008, selling 113,072 digital downloads on its first week. Due to its high digital sales, "Forever" debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest debut of that week along with Jesse McCartney's "Leavin'" which debuted at number fourteen; it became Brown's ninth top-ten single. The song also debuted at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100 based only on digital sales and has peaked there for 3 non-consecutive weeks, before finally jumped to number two behind Rihanna’s Disturbia. It has peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. [31] Coincidentally, “Disturbia” was written by Brown and originally intended to be the lead single for Exclusive: Forever Edition, however “Forever” was ultimately chosen instead. In 2021 it has been certified sextuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also stayed in the top ten for 15 weeks. It has sold over 3,830,000 copies as of April 2014. [32]
"Forever" began receiving airplay on pop and rhythmic radio stations across the US while urban radio stations still playing his previous single, "Take You Down". The song has finally been added to urban radio stations in the week of July 7, 2008, and made a debut at number ninety-five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, peaking at number seventy-two. "Forever" debuted at number sixty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, and has peaked at number-one on the Hot 100 Airplay, staying there for three weeks.[ citation needed ]
"Forever" has entered various Billboard charts including number one on the Hot 100 Airplay, Mainstream Top 40, Pop 100, Pop 100 Airplay, Hot Digital Songs, Hot Digital Tracks, and Hot RingMasters.[ citation needed ]
"Forever" also became a hit across Oceania. "Forever" debuted at number-forty on the New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart, and in its second week ascended to number-five before reaching its peak at number-one, due to high digital sales. "Forever" has officially become Brown's eighth top ten hit in the country. It sat at number-one on the official RIANZ Singles Chart for eight weeks keeping Rihanna's "Take a Bow" from taking the top spot for five weeks. It became his fifth number one single in New Zealand, after "Run It!", "Kiss Kiss", "With You" and "No Air". It has been certified Platinum by RIANZ for sales in excess of 15,000, and was the third biggest selling single of 2008 in New Zealand. "Forever" debuted at number twenty-nine on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, and the following week rose to number-sixteen following its physical release. "Forever" has since peaked at number seven. "Forever" has not only become the third consecutive top ten hit from Exclusive , but has also surpassed the success of "Kiss Kiss" to become the album's second most successful single.[ citation needed ]
The song also became successful across Europe. In the UK, the song charted on June 1, 2008, at number 17 on downloads alone. The following week it moved up to number 11, and a week later, to number 8 (still on downloads alone). "Forever" was physically released on June 16, 2008, and on the chart dated June 29, 2008, it reached its peak position at number 4, becoming Chris Brown's second highest charting solo single in the UK at the time, behind "Run It!" which peaked at number two. It has sold 209,275 copies and stayed in the top ten for six weeks, becoming his third highest-selling single there[ needs update ] after "With You" (221,750 copies) and "No Air" (316,630 copies). In Ireland, "Forever" debuted at number nine, and two weeks later peaked at number six. In the next week, for the issue dated June 22, "Forever" knocked Rihanna's "Take A Bow" off the top spot on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming his first number-one single in that country, and stayed at number one for two non-consecutive weeks. The song also reached number 12 on European Hot 100 Singles, becoming his third highest-charting single there.[ citation needed ]
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Forever" | 4:38 | |
2. | "Forever" (23 Deluxe remix) |
| 6:00 |
3. | "Forever" (Cahill Club Mix) | 6:23 | |
4. | "Forever" (BobbyBass & J Remy Club Mix) | 7:36 |
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Forever" |
| 4:38 |
2. | "Forever" (23 Deluxe remix) |
| 6:03 |
3. | "Forever" (Cahill Club Mix) |
| 6:29 |
4. | "Forever" (Ashanti Boyz remix) |
| 4:24 |
Notes
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [86] | 5× Platinum | 350,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [87] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [88] | Platinum | 15,000* |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [89] | 2× Platinum | 20,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI) [90] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [91] | 6× Platinum | 6,000,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [91] (Mastertone) | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"Run It!" is the debut single by American singer Chris Brown featuring American rapper Juelz Santana. It was produced by Scott Storch, who wrote the song alongside Sean Garrett and Santana. The song appeared on Brown's self-titled debut album (2005), and was released as a single on June 30, 2005. The remix features fellow American rappers Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri and was performed at the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards by Bow Wow and Chris Brown.
"Smack That" is a song by Senegalese-American singer Akon featuring American rapper Eminem from the former's second studio album Konvicted (2006). Produced by Eminem, it was written by the artists alongside Mike Strange and Luis Resto. The collaboration came after the two artists met during a recording session for Shady Records rapper Obie Trice. The song received widespread acclaim from contemporary music critics for being a great club song.
"Kiss Kiss" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, featuring vocals and sole production from T-Pain, from Brown's second studio album, Exclusive. Written by the two artists, the song was released as the album's second single on September 10, 2007, worldwide. It was later solicited to rhythm crossover radios in the United States on September 11, 2007. "Kiss Kiss" is an upbeat record that incorporates elements of R&B, hip-hop and dance music. The song's lyrics are about getting a woman's attention.
"With You" is a song by American singer Chris Brown for his second studio album, Exclusive (2007). The song was written by Johntá Austin, Espionage, and Stargate, the latter of which produced the song. The song was released as the album's third single on December 4, 2007, in the United States. It was later released internationally on March 21, 2008. "With You" is composed as a midtempo R&B ballad that features an acoustic guitar as the base of the arrangement.
"No Air" is a song by American singer Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Harvey Mason Jr., Steve Russell, Erik Griggs and Damon Thomas. It was released in the United States on February 11, 2008, and serves as the second single from Jordin Sparks, her first album.
"Love in This Club" is a song by American singer Usher featuring American rapper Young Jeezy. It was released on February 22, 2008, as the lead single from Usher's fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song was written by Usher, Polow da Don, Jeezy, Darnell Dalton, Ryon Lovett, Lamar Taylor and Keith Thomas, and produced by da Don, with a Las Vegas-inspired synth-driven beat. Its lyrics refer to seducing someone in a nightclub. The song was originally leaked by da Don prior to its release.
"Disturbia" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded (2008), a re-release of her third studio album Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). It was written by Andre Merritt, Chris Brown, Brian Kennedy and Rob. A!, with the production of the song helmed by Kennedy. The song was released as the third single from the reloaded edition of the album, and seventh overall. "Disturbia" was sent to US contemporary hit radio on June 17, 2008, and was released as a CD single in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2008.
"So What" is a song recorded by American singer Pink for her fifth studio album, Funhouse (2008). The song was written by Pink, Max Martin, and Shellback, and produced by Martin. Selected as the album's lead single, "So What" was first released on August 11, 2008, and to mainstream radios on August 25, 2008, through LaFace and Zomba Label Group. The song consists of a martial beat and synth backing. The lyrics are based on her separation from freestyle motocross rider Carey Hart, which occurred six months prior to the release.
"Naturally" is a song performed by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene, taken from their debut studio album Kiss & Tell (2009). It was released by Hollywood Records as the album's second single in the United States and select other countries. The song was produced by Antonina Armato and Tim James who wrote the song with Devrim Karaoglu. Musically, "Naturally" is an uptempo dance-pop song which relies on electropop. The song's lyrics speak of a relationship in which feelings are not forced and the protagonist sings of their happiness. The song officially impacted US mainstream radio on January 19, 2010, and was released physically in numerous European countries thereafter. The song also appears on the international standard edition of the band's second album, A Year Without Rain (2010).
"DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" is a song by American singer Usher featuring American rapper Pitbull, who wrote the song with Savan Kotecha and producers Shellback and Max Martin. It was originally intended for Rihanna 2010 album Loud, but Rihanna's team turned it down. It was released to digital download on July 12, 2010, and sent to radio on August 18, 2010, as the first single from Usher's EP, Versus, which is an extension of his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond. An electronic dance track with a Europop style, the song puts emphasis on its chorus, and follows the chord progression of Gm-F-E♭. It received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who favored its production and Usher's vocals, but criticized the song's lack of originality.
"Yeah 3x" ; sometimes stylized as "Yeah 3X") is a song by American singer Chris Brown, released as the lead single from his fourth studio album F.A.M.E. on October 25, 2010. It was written alongside Kevin McCall, Sevyn Streeter, and producer DJ Frank E, with Calvin Harris receiving an additional writing credit following his accusation of plagiarism. Brown recorded the song for his pop audience as he had been doing a lot of mixtapes and urban records. "Yeah 3x" is an uptempo dance-pop, Europop, and electro house song; it uses a video game-type beat and features a thick bassline and big synth chords.
"Look at Me Now" is a song by American singer Chris Brown featuring American rappers Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes released as the second single from Brown's fourth studio album F.A.M.E. on February 1, 2011. The artists co-wrote the song with its producers Afrojack, Diplo, and Free School, with additional writing from Ryan Buendia. Musically, "Look at Me Now" is a "dirty south–inspired" hip hop song that features "thumping bass, spacy synth and horn jam sounds."
"Beautiful People" is a song by American singer Chris Brown featuring Italian DJ Benny Benassi, released as the third single from Brown's fourth studio album F.A.M.E. on March 11, 2011 by Jive Records. It was written by Brown, with Benny Benassi and Alle Benassi handling its production. Musically, "Beautiful People" is an uptempo song which draws from the genres of progressive house and Europop, containing influences of dancehall and R&B. The song's lyrics revolve around Brown encouraging people to be positive discovering their inside beauty.
"Next to You" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber included as a track on the former's fourth studio album, F.A.M.E., released on June 21, 2011. Brown co-wrote the song with frequent collaborator Sevyn Streeter of American girl group RichGirl. The track is one of the four tracks Brown and Bieber worked together on, the others being a remix of Bieber's "Up" (2011), "Ladies Love Me" contained in Brown's mixtape Boy in Detention (2011), and "Don't Check on Me" from Brown's 2019 album Indigo.
"Strip" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, featuring American singer and producer Kevin McCall, released as a single from his mixtape Boy In Detention and as a buzz single from Brown's fifth studio album Fortune on November 18, 2011. It was written by Brown, Sevyn Streeter, Christopher Whitacre, J. Lonny Bereal, Justin Henderson and McCall, while production was handled by Tha Bizness. "Strip" peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number three on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
"Turn Up the Music" is a song by American singer Chris Brown. It was written by Alexander "Fuego" Palmer, Brown, Damon Thomas, Harvey Mason Jr., Michael "Mike J" Jimenez, Terence Coles and Agent X, while production was handled by Fuego and The Underdogs. "Turn Up the Music" was sent to contemporary hit radio playlists in the United States on February 7, 2012, as the lead single from Brown's fifth studio album Fortune (2012). It was released for digital download on February 10, 2012 by RCA Records. "Turn Up the Music" is an uptempo song which draws from the genres of electronic dance and house. Instrumentation consists of pulsating beats, synthesizers, a "throbbing bass" and percussion. According to Mason Jr., the song's inspiration came from visualizing Brown as an artist, "how he dances and how he performs, and giving him something to match that energy."
"Scream" is a song by American singer-songwriter Usher, released through RCA Records, as the second single from his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself (2012). It was written by Usher, Savan Kotecha, Max Martin and Shellback, with production handled by the latter two. The song premiered on the internet on April 26, 2012, and was released the following day as a digital download. "Scream" is primarily a synthpop and dance-pop track. Critics compared its musical structure to that of Usher's 2010 single "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love", which was also co-written by Martin, Kotecha, and Shellback. "Scream" was noted to contain heavily sexual overtones within its lyrics.
"Don't Wake Me Up" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, taken from his fifth studio album, Fortune (2012). It was written by Brown, Alain Whyte, Alessandro Benassi, Brian Kennedy, Jean-Baptiste, Marco Benassi, Michael McHenry, Nick Marsh, Ryan Buendia. and William Orbit. The song was written in its entirety in one night to an instrumental created by Marsh. From there, he provided additional production along with Orbit, Whyte, and members of Free School. Further production was done by Benny and Alle Benassi in the song's final stages. It was released digitally on May 18, 2012 by RCA Records, as the fourth single from the album. "Don't Wake Me Up" is an EDM song that features heavy bass and a repetitive chorus. The lyrics of the song describe a lost loved one who exists only in a dream. The song receives generally positive reception from music critics.
"Fine China" is a song by the American singer Chris Brown. It was the lead single from his sixth studio album, X, and was released on March 29, 2013, by RCA Records. It was written by Brown, Eric Bellinger, RoccStar and Sevyn Streeter, and produced by "RoccStar" and G'harah "PK" Degeddingseze. According to Brown and his producers, the song was inspired by the works of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Sam Cooke, among others.
"New Flame" is a song recorded by American singer Chris Brown. It was originally released as a promotional single from Brown's album on March 5, 2014. This version only featured rapper Rick Ross as a guest artist. A few months later, a day after the 2014 BET Awards were held, the single version of the song featuring Ross and Usher was released on June 30, 2014, as the fifth official single from his sixth studio album X. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 in the United Kingdom.
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