Nothing Lasts Forever

Album: Evergreen (1997)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The first single released to be released after Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson reformed Echo & the Bunnymen in 1997 after a four year hiatus, this gently epic ballad reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart.
  • McCulloch (from Uncut magazine August 2014): "I'd had that song since 1990 in various forms. The others were very negative – Will said, 'It's a bit pretty' and I thought, 'You f---ing idiot, that's like calling 'The Killing Moon' a bit beautiful.'"

    "To me it's the most important song I've ever written, because it takes me back to being taken seriously, and it's one of the best songs of all time."
  • The song got an extra boost from uncredited backing vocals by Oasis' Liam Gallagher. McCulloch recalled: "Oasis were in the studio next door doing Be Here Now. Liam came in and listened to 'Nothing Lasts Forever,' and he had ideas for tambourine and a backing vocal and we thought, 'Yeah, we're having that.' He was spot on, it really made that song great. With the lineage of frontmen through the years, having him on it made sense for me."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.