YOSHIKI & Groban's 'Forever Love' Live Version Soars

A new live rendition of X JAPAN's 1996 ballad 'Forever Love,' featuring YOSHIKI and Josh Groban, was released globally on August 28, 2026. The track originated from a performance at the YOSHIKI CLASSICAL 2026 IN LOS ANGELES concert on July 17, 2026.

YOSHIKI shared that he adjusted the original high key of 'Forever Love' by a seventh to better suit Groban's vocal range. He met Groban in 2016 and felt a strong intuition that Groban could deliver a powerful rendition of the song, even adding English lyrics to the verse for broader accessibility.

The iconic song's creation in 1996 stemmed from YOSHIKI's profound pessimism and chaotic life at the time. He questioned his own longevity following his father's suicide, ultimately naming the song "Forever Love" to explore the idea of eternal love amidst human impermanence.

Reflecting on his survival over three decades, YOSHIKI expressed deep gratitude for the support he has received, which he believes enabled the song's emotional resonance to transcend borders. He also discussed how his philanthropic efforts and creative drive are intertwined, finding meaning and motivation in helping others.

Looking ahead, YOSHIKI is embracing a new approach to releasing music, prioritizing individual song releases over the traditional album format due to past frustrations. 'Forever Love (Live)' is seen as his first step in freeing himself from these artistic constraints.