The Everlasting (song)

"The Everlasting" is the second single to be lifted from the Manic Street Preachers's fifth studio album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. It was released on 30 November 1998 through Epic, it peaked on number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, breaking their run of consecutive top-ten hits. All three members of the band—James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore and Nicky Wire—share the writing credits.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Background

The title, "The Everlasting", was borrowed from a poem by Nicky Wire's brother Patrick Jones, after Wire had spent some time trying to think of a title similar to Blur's "The Universal" or Joy Division's "The Eternal". "The Everlasting" has been described as grand, elegiac and in some ways quite profoundly sad.Template:By whom The lyric hints at life's diminishing returns as one ages and lose one's idealism.<ref name="This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The song features a combination of live and synthetic instrumentation, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar with a tremolo effect, drum loops and real and simulated strings.<ref name="THE EVERLASTING">Template:Cite web</ref>

A shortened edit of the song is also featured on the 2002 compilation Forever Delayed.<ref name="Power">Template:Cite book</ref>

Release

The single was released on 30 November 1998,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> peaking at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. It broke their run of five consecutive top-10 hits but stayed on the chart for 12 weeks.<ref name="UKchart"/> Outside the UK the single reached number 47 in the Netherlands, remaining in the chart for five weeks<ref name="d100"/> and in Germany it peaked at number 88, remaining on the country's chart for seven weeks.<ref name="ger"/> In Iceland, it peaked at number three.<ref name="ice"/>

The first of two CD singles included "Black Holes for the Young" - a duet with Sophie Ellis-Bextor which is a criticism of London culture - and "Valley Boy". The second CD single featured remixes of "The Everlasting" - "Deadly Avenger Mix" and "Stealth Sonic Orchestra Mix".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Promotional video

The promotional video that accompanied the song was censoredTemplate:By whom because it included shots of people on fire. The original version was considered insensitiveTemplate:By whom as the release of the single coincided with the well-publicised inquest into the death of Michael Menson, who had been set on fire by three men in a street attack. Two versions of the video were therefore produced - one with computer generated flames, one without. The video was filmed at Euston railway station in London.<ref name="THE EVERLASTING"/>

Track listings

All music was written by James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore except where indicated. All were lyrics written by Nick Jones except where indicated.

CD single 1 (UK) Epic 666593 2

1. "The Everlasting" – 6:11
2. "Black Holes for the Young" (featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor) – 4:11
3. "Valley Boy" – 5:10

CD single 2 (UK) Epic 666686 5

1. "The Everlasting" – 6:11
2. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger Psalm 315) – 5:42
3. "The Everlasting" (Stealth Sonic Orchestra Remix) – 5:11

CD single (EU) Epic EPC 666593 1

1. "The Everlasting" – 6:11
2. "Black Holes for the Young" (featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor) – 4:11

CD single (Australia) Epic 6668542

1. "The Everlasting" – 6:11
2. "Black Holes for the Young" (featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor) – 4:11
3. "Valley Boy" – 5:10
4. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger's Psalm 315) – 5:42
5. "The Everlasting" (Stealth Sonic Orchestra Remix) – 5:11

Cassette single

1. "The Everlasting" – 6:09
2. "Small Black Flowers That Grow in the Sky (Live At Manchester Nynex)" (lyrics: Richey James) – 3:34

12-inch vinyl single UK: Sony XPR3297

A1. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger's Psalm 315) – 5:40

A2. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger's Psalm 315 Instrumental) – 5:40

B1. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger's 69th St. Mix) – 4:46

B2. "The Everlasting" (Deadly Avenger's 69th St. Instrumental) – 4:51

Charts

Weekly charts

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Chart (1998–1999)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	55
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref name="ice">Template:Cite news See 8/1 column</ref>	3
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	7