Steve Perry is a legendary singer-songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey in the 1980s. Perry’s distinctive voice and powerful stage presence propelled the band to superstardom, and his solo career has continued to captivate fans around the world. With a career spanning over four decades, Perry has created some of the most iconic and enduring rock songs of all time. From power ballads to catchy rock anthems, Perry’s music has touched the hearts of millions of fans across the globe. In this article, we will explore the top 10 best Steve Perry songs of all time. These songs represent the pinnacle of Perry’s artistry and showcase his impressive vocal range and songwriting skills. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a newcomer to Perry’s music, this list is sure to inspire and entertain you. So sit back, relax, and let’s take a journey through the greatest hits of one of the most legendary voices in rock history.
1. Oh Sherrie
“Oh Sherrie” is a power ballad written by Steve Perry, Randy Goodrum, Craig Krampf, and Bill Cuomo, and performed by Steve Perry, former lead singer of the band Journey. Released in 1984 as the lead single from Perry’s debut solo album, “Street Talk,” the song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remains one of Perry’s most popular songs. The song is a tribute to Perry’s then-girlfriend Sherrie Swafford and features soaring vocals, a driving beat, and a catchy chorus that makes it a perfect sing-along.
The song starts off with a gentle piano intro, gradually building up to the powerful chorus where Perry’s vocals take center stage. The lyrics are a declaration of love and devotion, with Perry promising to stand by Sherrie no matter what. The song’s memorable guitar solo and catchy melody make it a classic rock song that continues to resonate with audiences today.
2. Foolish Heart
“Foolish Heart” is a power ballad written by Steve Perry and Randy Goodrum and performed by Perry. Released in 1985 as the second single from Perry’s debut solo album “Street Talk,” the song reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features Perry’s signature soaring vocals and a memorable guitar solo.
The song is about the pain of lost love and the regret that comes with letting go of someone you still love. Perry sings about the struggle to move on from a past relationship and the heartache that comes with it. The lyrics are emotional and heartfelt, perfectly capturing the universal experience of a broken heart. The song’s slow, steady tempo and melancholic melody make it a classic example of the power ballad genre.
Overall, “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart” are two of Steve Perry’s most iconic songs, showcasing his impressive vocal range and his ability to craft powerful and emotional ballads that continue to resonate with audiences today.
3. You Better Wait
“You Better Wait” is a rock song written by Steve Perry and Randy Goodrum, and performed by Perry. Released in 1994 as the lead single from Perry’s second solo album “For the Love of Strange Medicine,” the song reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features Perry’s trademark soaring vocals and a driving guitar riff.
The song’s lyrics are a warning to someone who is about to make a mistake in a relationship. Perry sings about the importance of taking time to reflect and make the right decision, rather than rushing into something that may not be right. The song’s powerful chorus and catchy melody make it a memorable addition to Perry’s discography.
4. I Believe
“I Believe” is a power ballad written by Diane Warren and performed by Steve Perry. Released in 1996 as the lead single from Perry’s third solo album “Trial by Fire,” the song reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is a testament to the power of love and the strength it gives us in difficult times.
Perry’s emotive vocals convey the song’s message of hope and resilience, as he sings about believing in oneself and the strength of the human spirit. The song’s memorable guitar solo and soaring chorus make it a classic example of the power ballad genre, and one of Perry’s most popular songs.
5. No Erasin’
“No Erasin'” is a rock song written by Steve Perry and David Spreng, and performed by Perry. Released in 2018 as the lead single from Perry’s fourth solo album “Traces,” the song reached number six on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song marks Perry’s return to music after a long hiatus and features his signature powerful vocals and catchy melodies.
The song’s lyrics are a reflection on lost love and the enduring memories that remain. Perry sings about the impossibility of erasing the memories of a past relationship, and the pain that comes with letting go. The song’s catchy chorus and infectious melody make it a standout track on the album and a welcome return for Perry fans.
Overall, “You Better Wait,” “I Believe,” and “No Erasin'” are three standout tracks from Steve Perry’s solo career, showcasing his impressive vocal range and his ability to craft powerful and emotional songs that continue to resonate with audiences today.
6. Against The Wall
“Against the Wall” is a rock song written by Steve Perry and recorded by his solo band, the Eels. Released in 1997 as part of the “With a Little Help from My Friends” benefit album, the song features Perry’s signature soaring vocals and a driving beat.
The song’s lyrics are a commentary on the struggle to break free from conformity and stand up for oneself. Perry sings about the importance of staying true to oneself and refusing to be boxed in by society’s expectations. The song’s memorable guitar riff and catchy chorus make it a standout track on the album.
7. Captured By The Moment
“Captured by the Moment” is a rock ballad written by Steve Perry and recorded by his solo band, the Eels. Released in 1998 as part of the album “Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased,” the song features Perry’s emotive vocals and a melancholic melody.
The song’s lyrics are a reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Perry sings about the beauty of being present in the moment and the joy that comes from connecting with others. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and memorable chorus make it a standout track on the album.
8. Missing You
“Missing You” is a power ballad written by Steve Perry and performed by his former band, Journey. Released in 1984 as part of the album “Frontiers,” the song reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features Perry’s signature powerful vocals and a memorable guitar solo.
The song’s lyrics are a reflection on the pain of lost love and the struggle to move on. Perry sings about the emptiness that comes from missing someone who is no longer there and the difficulty of filling the void. The song’s emotional lyrics and catchy melody make it a classic example of the power ballad genre.
Overall, “Against the Wall,” “Captured by the Moment,” and “Missing You” are three standout tracks from Steve Perry’s solo and Journey careers, showcasing his impressive vocal range and his ability to craft powerful and emotional songs that continue to resonate with audiences today.
9. She’s Mine
“She’s Mine” is a rock song written by Steve Perry and recorded by his solo band, the Eels. Released in 1998 as part of the album “Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased,” the song features Perry’s signature soaring vocals and a catchy guitar riff.
The song’s lyrics are a declaration of love and devotion, as Perry sings about the joy of being with someone who makes him feel complete. The song’s memorable chorus and infectious melody make it a standout track on the album and a fan favorite.
10. No More Cryin’
“No More Cryin'” is a blues-inspired rock song written by Steve Perry and recorded by his solo band. Released in 2018 as part of the album “Traces,” the song features Perry’s emotive vocals and a driving beat.
The song’s lyrics are a reflection on the pain of lost love and the struggle to move on. Perry sings about the importance of letting go of the past and finding the strength to move forward. The song’s powerful chorus and memorable guitar solo make it a standout track on the album and a testament to Perry’s enduring talent as a songwriter and performer.
Overall, “She’s Mine” and “No More Cryin'” are two standout tracks from Steve Perry’s solo career, showcasing his impressive vocal range and his ability to craft powerful and emotional songs that continue to resonate with audiences today.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
