Forever (Chris Brown song)

"Forever"
Single by Chris Brown
from the album Exclusive: The Forever Edition
Released April 29, 2008 (2008-04-29)
Format
Recorded
Genre
Length 4:38
Label
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Polow da Don
  • Brian Kennedy
Chris Brown singles chronology
"Take You Down"
(2008)		 "Forever"
(2008)		 "Dreamer"
(2008)

"Forever" is a song by American recording artist Chris Brown from Exclusive: Forever Edition, a repackaged edition of his second studio album Exclusive. 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 Ableton Live practice,[1] "Forever" was selected to be released as the first single from Brown's repackaged second studio album but overall it's the fifth single from the album. It was first released for digital download on November 2, 2007. The song's musical structure differs from Brown's previous work, opting for a more European techno dance sound.

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 countries like Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The accompanying music video features Brown in several scenes pursuing his love interest. The video features much dancing and digital effects. The official remix features Lil Wayne and Lupe Fiasco.

Background

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. He recorded the song using an autotune effect, as he did in one of his previous singles, "Kiss Kiss".[3] The song was first intended to be on Brown's following album, but decided he "wasn't ready to release a new album yet".[4]

"Forever" is actually 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 amended it into a full song during a recording session in February 2008, 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.[5] 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]

Release

The song was first released in on November 2, 2007[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] as a digital download in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, New Zealand. The digital download release for the song came months later on April 15, 2008 in France,[13] on April 22, 2008 in Japan[14] and on August 12, 2008 in the United States and the Netherlands.[15][16] An EP featuring three remixes was released in Ireland on June 13, 2008,[17] in Australia, Austria and the Netherlands on June 16, 2008[18][19][20] and in Japan on August 13, 2008.[21]

Composition

"Forever" is a Eurodance and Euro disco[22] song that runs for 4:38 (4 minutes and 38 seconds). It contains influences of techno, trance, and house boasting bubbling and gurgling synths and a "rolling around the bottom of the sea"-sounding bass line.[23] 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 runs through a "with movement"-style tempo and 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.[24]

Critical reception

Bill Lamb of About.com gave the song four and a half stars, and said it was one of Brown's best to date.[23] Billboard stated that the single "is really a love song but bangs with electrified production from Polow Da Don to ignite dancefloors."[25] 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."[26]

Music video

Background and synopsis

The two-days 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.[27] BET placed the song at #55 on their Notarized: Top 100 Videos countdown. Brown's main love interest in the video is played by model Megan Abrigo,[28] comedian Daniel Tosh's girlfriend.[29]

The music video starts off with Brown driving into a club (where he chews a fresh stick of Doublemint Gum), and 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 out of the club.

Reception

According to the Billboard, the song's video is "digital dream about sharing with one who makes your world stop."[25] 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.[30] 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.[31] The video was nominated in the "Best Dancing in a Video", "Best Choreography" and "Video of the Year" categories 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.

Chart performance

"Forever" has reached number one in Ireland and New Zealand, and the top ten in Australia, Canada, the United States and the UK.

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. Has peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks behind "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry and Rihanna's "Disturbia".[32] It has been certified gold by the RIAA. It also stayed in the top ten for 15 weeks. It has sold over 3,830,000 copies as of April 2014.[33]

"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.

"Forever" has entered various Billboard charts including number one the Hot 100 Airplay, Mainstream Top 40, Pop 100, Pop 100 Airplay, Hot Digital Songs, Hot Digital Tracks, and Hot RingMasters.

"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 currently sits at number-one on the official RIANZ Singles Chart for eight weeks so far, 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.

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!" (No. 2). It has sold 209,275 copies and stayed in the top ten for six weeks, becoming his third highest-selling single there 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.

In other media

Track listing

US Promo CD

  1. "Forever" (Main) – 4:38
  2. "Forever" (Instrumental) – 4:40

UK and Ireland CD single

  1. "Forever" (Main)
  2. "Forever" (23 Deluxe Remix)

Australian CD single

  1. "Forever" (Main)
  2. "Forever" (23 Deluxe Remix)
  3. "Forever" (Cahill Club Mix)
  4. "Forever" (Bobby Bass & J Remy Club Mix)
  5. "Forever" (video)

Official versions

Credits and personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
scope="row" Australia (ARIA)[41] 7
scope="row" Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[42] 31
scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[43] 47
scope="row" Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[44] 40
scope="row" Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[45] 2
scope="row" Denmark (Tracklisten)[46] 17
scope="row" Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[47] 12
scope="row" Germany (Official German Charts)[48] 20
scope="row" France (SNEP)[49] 25
scope="row" Ireland (IRMA)[50] 1
scope="row" Japan (Japan Hot 100)[51] 88
scope="row" Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[52] 24
scope="row" New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[53] 1
scope="row" Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 17
scope="row" Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 22
scope="row" UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[56] 4
scope="row" US Billboard Hot 100[57] 2
scope="row" US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[58] 40
scope="row" US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[59] 17
scope="row" US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[60] 66
scope="row" US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[61] 1
scope="row" US Rhythmic (Billboard)[62] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (2008) Position
Australia ARIA Singles Chart 20
Canadian Hot 100[63] 13
US Billboard Hot 100[64] 10
Chart (2009) Position
Hungarian Singles Chart[65] 164

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[66] 100

Preceded by
"Love in This Club" by Usher featuring Young Jeezy		 New Zealand RIANZ number-one single
May 12, 2008 – June 30, 2008 		Succeeded by
"Always On My Mind" by Tiki Taane
Preceded by
"Take a Bow" by Rihanna		 Irish Singles Chart number-one single (first run)
June 19, 2008 		Succeeded by
"On Wings" by Leanne Moore
Preceded by
"On Wings" by Leanne Moore		 Irish Singles Chart number-one single (second run)
July 3, 2008 		Succeeded by
"All I Ever Wanted" by Basshunter
Preceded by
"I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry		 Billboard Pop 100 number-one single (first run)
August 23, 2008 – August 30, 2008 (first run) 		Succeeded by
"Disturbia" by Rihanna
Preceded by
"Disturbia" by Rihanna		 Billboard Pop 100 number-one single (second run)
September 13, 2008 (second run) 		Succeeded by
"Disturbia" by Rihanna

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[67] 2× Platinum 140,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[68] Platinum 15,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[69] 2× Platinum 20,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[70] Gold 400,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA) (Mastertone) Gold 500,000^
United States (RIAA)[71] N/A 3,830,000[72]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ethan Smith, Julie Jargon (July 28, 2008). Chew on This: Hit Song Is a Gum Jingle. The Wall Street Journal. Accessed July 29, 2008.
  2. 1 2 Shaheem Reid, Jasmine Dotiwala (March 25, 2008). Chris Brown readies deluxe Edition Of Exclusive MTV. Accessed March 25, 2008.
  3. ↑ The Gerbil's Revenge: Musical Events: The New Yorker Accessed July 23, 2008
  4. ↑ Mitchell, Gail (December 30, 2008). "Artist Of The Year: Chris Brown". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  5. ↑ Grammy After Party 08 Accessed July 11, 2008
  6. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  11. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc.
  12. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  13. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  14. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  15. ↑ "Forever — Chris Brown". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  16. ↑ "Forever — Single". iTunes. Apple Inc.
  17. ↑ "Forever — EP". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  18. ↑ "Forever — EP". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  19. ↑ "Forever — EP". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  20. ↑ "Forever — EP". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  21. ↑ "Forever — EP". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  22. ↑ Ratliff, Ben. "Nary a Carol in Earshot, and a Santa in Heels". New York Times. New York Times Company. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  23. 1 2 Chris Brown - "Forever" About.com. Accessed June 19, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Digital Sheet Music – Rihanna – Break It Off". Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
  25. 1 2 Menachem, Michael. Single Reviews: Forever. Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2008. Archived July 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (June 16, 2008). "Chris Brown: 'Forever'". Digital Spy. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
  27. ↑ MTV Base MTV UK. Accessed May 11, 2008.
  28. ↑ "Megan Abrigo (The Official Megan Abrigo Myspace Page) on Myspace". Myspace.com.
  29. ↑ nytimes.com
  30. ↑ MTV Hip Hop Countdown Chart MTV Asia. Accessed July 3, 2008.
  31. ↑ MTV Base MTV UK. Accessed April 17, 2008.
  32. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 23, 2011). "Week Ending Nov. 20, 2011. Songs: Katy Joins The Club". Chart Watch. Yahoo!.
  33. ↑ Paul Grein (April 9, 2014). "Chart Watch: 'Happy' Peaked But It's Still Potent". Yahoo Music.
  34. ↑ Williams, John-John (August 8, 2008). "'So You Think You Can Dance': finale details". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
  35. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_9pYHx65is
  36. ↑ Santo, Michael (July 24, 2009). "JK Wedding Entrance Dance Becomes YouTube Sensation". HULIQ. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Unusual wedding video is a viral hit". Archived from the original on July 28, 2009.
  38. ↑ Nocera, Kate (July 29, 2009). "Fun Minnesota couple Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz dance down the aisle at their wedding". Daily News. New York.
  39. ↑ "Viral wedding video gives Brown's "Forever" a boost". Archived from the original on August 2, 2009.
  40. ↑ "Jill and Kevin wedding". Jkweddingdance.com. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  41. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Chris Brown – Forever". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Chris Brown – Forever" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Chris Brown – Forever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Chris Brown – Forever" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Chris Brown – Forever". Tracklisten. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  47. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  48. ↑ "Musicline.de – Brown,Chris Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  49. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Chris Brown – Forever" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 25, 2008". Irish Singles Chart.
  51. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 32, 2008" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40
  53. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Chris Brown – Forever". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  54. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Chris Brown – Forever". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  55. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Chris Brown – Forever". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  56. ↑ "5, 2008/ Archive Chart: July 5, 2008" UK Singles Chart.
  57. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay for Chris Brown. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  60. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  61. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  62. ↑ "Chris Brown – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Chris Brown. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  63. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 Year-End 2008". Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  64. ↑ Chris Brown - Forever aCharts aCharts. Accessed August 1, 2008.
  65. ↑ "Éves összesített listák — MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)". Mahasz. Mahasz.
  66. ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks — Decade Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  67. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association.
  68. ↑ THE FIELD id (chart number) MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION.
  69. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Chris Brown – Forever" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  70. ↑ "British single certifications – Chris Brown – Forever". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Forever in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  71. ↑ "American single certifications – Chris Brown – Forever". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  72. ↑ Grein, Paul (April 9, 2014). "Chart Watch: "Happy" Peaked But It's Still Potent". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
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