
Peak
17
Weeks
19
Score
2,075
Chart Year
1985
Keith Forsey and Giorgio Moroder wrote this song for The NeverEnding Story, a 1984 film about a boy, Atreyu, who enters a magical land and must save it from destruction. It's a fantasy film, and the song matches the tone, with magical keyboards, windy sound effects, and mysterious lyrics like "Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds." Moroder was an architect of the disco era, writing and producing most of Donna Summer's hits. In the '80s, he updated his sound and teamed up with Forsey to write the theme song to Flashdance. Forsey also co-wrote the Simple Minds hit "Don't You (Forget About Me)." Limahl (real name: Chris Hamill), is best known as lead singer of Kajagoogoo, who had a hit in 1983 with "Too Shy." That same year, he was ousted from the group and embarked on solo career. "Never Ending Story" gave him a solid solo hit, but he never had another hit in America and had just a few minor hits in Europe. Kajagoogoo carried on without him, releasing a moderately successful album in 1984 called Islands, but going into steep decline soon after and splitting up after their next album. In the '00s, Limahl reunited with the band for various appearances. The female voice on this track is the American singer Beth Anderson. Shooter Jennings recorded this song with Brandi Carlile for his 2016 album Countach (For Giorgio), a tribute to Giorgio Moroder. Carlile is a huge fan of the movie and has the logo tattooed on both of her arms. When Jennings met her at a Johnny Cash tribute concert, he noticed them and asked her to sing on this track. "Never Ending Story" plays a key role in the Netflix series Stranger Things. In the last episode of season 3 (2019), Dustin needs help from his girlfriend, Suzie, to save the world, but she won't do it until he agrees to sing the song with her - they really love the movie.
Turn around Look at what you see In her face The mirror of your dreams Make believe I'm everywhere Given in the light Written on the pages Is the answer to a neverending story Ah Reach the stars Fly a fantasy Dream a dream And what you see will be Rhymes that keep their secrets Will unfold behind the clouds And there upon a rainbow Is the answer to a neverending story Ah Story Ah Show no fear For she may fade away In your hand The birth of a new day Rhymes that keep their secrets Will unfold behind the clouds And there upon a rainbow Is the answer to a neverending story Ah Neverending story Ah Neverending story Ah Neverending story Ah Neverending story
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 23, 1985 | 87 | 39 |
| 2 | Mar 30, 1985 | 82 | 44 |
| 3 | Apr 6, 1985 | 70 | 56 |
| 4 | Apr 13, 1985 | 60 | 66 |
| 5 | Apr 20, 1985 | 50 | 76 |
| 6 | Apr 27, 1985 | 45 | 81 |
| 7 | May 4, 1985 | 40 | 86 |
| 8 | May 11, 1985 | 36 | 90 |
| 9 | May 18, 1985 | 31 | 95 |
| 10 | May 25, 1985 | 26 | 100 |
| 11 | Jun 1, 1985 | 20 | 106 |
| 12 | Jun 8, 1985 | 18 | 108 |
| 13 | Jun 15, 1985 | 17 | 109 |
| 14 | Jun 22, 1985 | 22 | 104 |
| 15 | Jun 29, 1985 | 36 | 90 |
| 16 | Jul 6, 1985 | 55 | 71 |
| 17 | Jul 13, 1985 | 67 | 59 |
| 18 | Jul 20, 1985 | 82 | 44 |
| 19 | Jul 27, 1985 | 99 | 27 |