(Forever) Live and Die is the title of song by OMD, originally released as the group's eighteenth single on 28 August 1986 and successively featured on the album The Pacific Age.
The songwriting was initially accredited to "OMD" although later accredited to Humphreys/Weir (Graham). The vocal by Paul Humphreys would suggest that at least the lyrics were written by him.
The track was produced by Stephen Hague and engineered by Tom Lord-Alge.
Single release[]
The single was released on 7", 12" and limited edition 7" picture disc. Each issue featured new track This Town as B-side and the 12" featured the customary extended version as well as as the standard 7" version. There were no official cassette or CD issues.
Remixes[]
For the UK issue a remix by John "Tokes" Poteker was issued on the 12", whereas the US/Canada 12" release features another remix by Tom Lord-Alge.
Reception and chart performance[]
Writing for the Singles reviews in Smash Hits, issue dtd. 14 August 1986, Simon Mills described the single as, "Limp, languid, wimpy and totally inoffensive", adding that, "OMD should get a jump doing the incidental music for Trumpton". Record Mirror's Andy Strickland said, "Some nice brass touches courtesy of the Weir brothers,..but hardly world shattering stuff." (issue dtd. 30 August, p.8)[1]
(Forever) Live and Die entered the UK Top 40 at no.38 (as revealed on 09 September 1986), moving up to no.24 the week after when it was also featured on Top of the Pops, then to no.14 before peaking at no.11 on the chart announced on 30 September, with a second TOTP appearance on 02 October. It was OMD's fifth highest UK chart placing, equalling that of Talking Loud & Clear.
In the US the single, as the follow-up to the highly successful If You Leave, entered the Hot 100 at no.87 in the week ending 27 September 1986, eventually reaching no.19 in the week ending 06 December. [2]
The track features on all OMD singles compilations.
Tracklistings[]
- UK 7" Virgin VS 888 / 7" ltd. pic. disc Virgin VSY 888
A. (Forever) Live and Die
B. This Town
- UK 12" Virgin VS 888-12
A. (Forever) Live And Die (Extended Mix) remix by John "Tokes" Poteker
B1.(Forever) Live And Die (7" Version)
B2. This Town
This Town is included in the B-sides compilation album Navigation The OMD B-Sides
Promo video[]
A promo video was made for the single, directed by Lesley Libman and husband Larry Williams. It was filmed in and around Liverpool, including Hoylake beach and on the Mersey ferry, with indoor shots at the Adelphi Hotel. Various filming methods were sued including shooting on 8mm film and also re-filming shots from a TV screen. It was the first to feature the band as a six-piece.
Live versions[]
(Forever) Live and Die featured in the setlist for The Pacific Age tour (1986-87) as well as on the US Depeche Mode support tour (1988). It was later included on early shows of the reformed era from 2007 onwards, up to the Souvenir tour in 2019.
See below for officially released live recordings.
Versions and availability[]
- Audio
Version | Available on |
---|---|
7" version (3:35) |
|
12" extended version remixed by John "Tokes" Poteker (5:45) |
|
12" extended version remixed by Tom Lord-Alge (5:50/5:55) |
|
- Live recordings
- Architecture & Morality & More (recorded 19.05.2007, CD/DVD issued 2008)
- Live at the Mermaid Theatre, London 03.02.2011 (Souvenir boxset, 2019)
- Live in Berlin (2011)
- Live at The Empire Theatre Liverpool. 04.11.19
- Video
- Promo video on Messages: Greatest Hits DVD (2008)
- Architecture & Morality & More (recorded 19.05.2007, CD/DVD issued 2008)
- TOTP performance aired 18 September 1986 on BBC TV Performances (DVD), Souvenir boxset (2019)
- NB 02 October 1986 appearance not included on this DVD
Media[]
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - (Forever) Live And Die |
OMD- Forever Live And Die 12" extended mix |
Forever Live & Die Extended Remix |
OMD Forever Live And Die |
Scrapbook[]
See also[]
- Smash Hits (issue dtd 10 September 1986)
- Now That's What I Call Music 8
External links[]
- Musicbrainz (work)