Forever Love (X Japan song)
Encyclopedia
"Forever Love" is a single released by X Japan
on July 8, 1996. It reached #1 on the Oricon
charts and was written and composed by Yoshiki Hayashi. An acoustic version of the song appears on their album Dahlia
. The single has been reissued several times. On December 18, 1997, following the announcement of the band's breakup, a different mixed version was released with a live version of "Longing
" (recorded at "The Last Live
" concert) as a B-side. The original single was reissued again on July 22, 1998, after the death of guitarist Hideto Matsumoto
. A single containing all previous versions (except original karaoke version), as well as a live recording (also recorded at "The Last Live
" concert) of the song was released on July 11, 2001.
Also in 2001, the song was used as background music in several commercials for the Japan
ese Liberal Democratic Party
. LDP member Junichiro Koizumi
, at that time the country's Prime Minister
has expressed fondness for X Japan
's music. "Forever Love" appears on the soundtrack
of the Japanese animated
feature film X.
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
on July 8, 1996. It reached #1 on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts and was written and composed by Yoshiki Hayashi. An acoustic version of the song appears on their album Dahlia
Dahlia (album)
Dahlia is an album released by X Japan on November 4, 1996. It is the band's fifth studio album and is composed largely of ballads, with only a few tracks retaining the band's heavier musical traits seen on previous releases...
. The single has been reissued several times. On December 18, 1997, following the announcement of the band's breakup, a different mixed version was released with a live version of "Longing
Longing (song)
"Longing" is a song by X Japan, released as a single in two different variations. The first on August 1, 1995 and the second on December 11, 1995, the two distinct versions are entitled, "Togireta Melody" and "Setsubou no Yoru" respectively. The difference between the two is that "Togireta Melody"...
" (recorded at "The Last Live
The Last Live
The Last Live is an X Japan live album released on May 5, 2001. It contains what was the band's last concert, recorded at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997. The band however has since reunited, though this was their last concert with now deceased guitarist Hideto "hide" Matsumoto. A DVD/VHS...
" concert) as a B-side. The original single was reissued again on July 22, 1998, after the death of guitarist Hideto Matsumoto
Hide (musician)
, better known by his stage name hide , was a popular Japanese musician. He was primarily known for his work as lead guitarist of the heavy metal band X Japan from 1987 to 1997...
. A single containing all previous versions (except original karaoke version), as well as a live recording (also recorded at "The Last Live
The Last Live
The Last Live is an X Japan live album released on May 5, 2001. It contains what was the band's last concert, recorded at the Tokyo Dome on December 31, 1997. The band however has since reunited, though this was their last concert with now deceased guitarist Hideto "hide" Matsumoto. A DVD/VHS...
" concert) of the song was released on July 11, 2001.
Also in 2001, the song was used as background music in several commercials for the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Liberal Democratic Party
Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)
The , frequently abbreviated to LDP or , is a centre-right political party in Japan. It is one of the most consistently successful political parties in the democratic world. The LDP ruled almost continuously for nearly 54 years from its founding in 1955 until its defeat in the 2009 election...
. LDP member Junichiro Koizumi
Junichiro Koizumi
is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006. He retired from politics when his term in parliament ended.Widely seen as a maverick leader of the Liberal Democratic Party , he became known as an economic reformer, focusing on Japan's government debt and the...
, at that time the country's Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
has expressed fondness for X Japan
X Japan
is a Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1982 by Yoshiki and Toshi. Originally named X , the group achieved their breakthrough success in 1989 with the release of their second album Blue Blood...
's music. "Forever Love" appears on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of the Japanese animated
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
feature film X.