Music Friday: Diamonds Sparkle in Brandi Carlile's 'Forever Young' Cover

Welcome to Music Friday, when we spotlight songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, we revisit the enduring anthem “Forever Young,” originally by Alphaville, through a stirring new lens — a recent live performance by Brandi Carlile on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

First released in 1984, “Forever Young” has proven to be one of pop music’s most resilient treasures. Despite modest initial chart success in the US, the song has taken on a life of its own over the past four decades, becoming a cultural touchstone through film, television and countless cover versions. As of late 2025, the original recording has surpassed an astonishing 1.1 billion streams on Spotify — a testament to its universal message and emotional staying power.

At the heart of the song lies one of its most memorable and jewelry-centric lines: “Youth like diamonds in the sun.” It’s a phrase that perfectly captures the brilliance and vitality of youth — sparkling, radiant and full of life. Like a finely cut diamond catching sunlight, youth represents a time of unmatched energy, clarity and possibility.

Yet, the lyric also gently acknowledges that such moments are precious precisely because they are fleeting. Rather than dwelling on loss, the imagery celebrates the idea that life’s most luminous chapters are meant to be cherished, much like a treasured gemstone passed down through generations.

There’s also a subtle echo of the famous notion that “a diamond is forever,” adding an uplifting twist to the song’s message. While youth itself may not last indefinitely, the memories, experiences and love forged during those years can endure — polished over time into something even more meaningful.

Enter Carlile, whose soulful reinterpretation breathes fresh life into the classic. Known for her powerful vocals and emotional authenticity, Carlile delivers the song with a warmth and reverence that feels both intimate and expansive. Her performance underscores the song’s hopeful core, transforming it into a celebration of resilience and the enduring sparkle of the human spirit.

Carlile’s journey to this moment is as compelling as her music. Raised in rural Washington, she left high school to pursue her passion, teaching herself guitar and performing wherever she could — from local clubs to street corners. Her breakthrough came with the 2007 album The Story, and since then she has become one of the most respected artists in modern music.

With 11 Grammy Awards, collaborations with icons such as Elton John and Joni Mitchell, and her work with the supergroup The Highwomen, Carlile has built a career defined by artistry and authenticity. She’s also an accomplished producer, author and philanthropist, having raised millions through her Looking Out Foundation.

Fans will have even more to celebrate as Carlile embarks on her 2026 “Human Tour,” bringing her signature sound to arenas around the world.

More than 40 years after its debut, “Forever Young” continues to shine — much like the diamonds it so beautifully evokes. And in Carlile’s hands, its brilliance feels as timeless as ever.

Please check out Carlile’s live performance of “Forever Young” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along.

“Forever Young”
Written by Bernhard Lloyd, Marian Gold and Frank Mertens. Performed by Brandi Carlile.

Let us dance in style, let us dance for a while
Heaven can wait, we’re only watching the sun
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

Let us die young or let us live forever
We don’t have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music’s for a sad man

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders, and getting in tune
The music’s made by a mad man

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? Ahhh, forever young

Some of us are like water, and some are like heat
Some are the melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later, we'll be gone
Why don’t we stay young?

But it's hard getting older without a cause
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth like diamonds in the sun
But diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn’t happen today
So many songs we've forgotten to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
If we let them come true

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Ahhh, forever young

Credits: Photo by Missvain, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.