Journey is an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1973. Initially formed by former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch, Journey went through several lineup changes before achieving massive success in the late 1970s and 1980s.
The band’s classic lineup included Neal Schon (guitar), Gregg Rolie (keyboards and vocals), Ross Valory (bass), Aynsley Dunbar (drums), and Steve Perry (vocals). Together, they created a sound characterized by melodic rock, catchy hooks, and Perry’s distinctive tenor voice.
Journey rose to fame with their fourth album, “Infinity” (1978), which featured the hit singles “Wheel in the Sky” and “Lights.” Their next album, “Escape” (1981), became their most successful, spawning hit singles like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” and “Who’s Crying Now.” “Escape” is often considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time and established Journey as one of the leading bands of the era.
Throughout the 1980s, Journey continued to release successful albums, including “Frontiers” (1983) and “Raised on Radio” (1986). However, internal conflicts and lineup changes led to the band’s temporary breakup in the late 1980s.
Journey reunited in the mid-1990s with a new lead vocalist, Steve Augeri, and continued to tour and release albums. They experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s, thanks in part to the use of “Don’t Stop Believin'” in the television series “The Sopranos” and the musical “Rock of Ages.”
Despite further lineup changes over the years, Journey remains active and continues to tour with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, who joined the band in 2007. They are celebrated for their enduring hits, electrifying live performances, and lasting influence on the rock music genre. Journey’s music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, making them one of the most beloved and iconic bands in rock history.
1. “Don’t Stop Believin'”
“Don’t Stop Believin'” is a song by Journey, released in 1981 as part of their album “Escape.” The song was written by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon, the keyboardist, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band, respectively.
“Don’t Stop Believin'” is one of Journey’s most iconic and enduring songs, known for its anthemic chorus, catchy melody, and inspirational lyrics. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a small-town girl and a city boy who meet on a midnight train journey, with Perry’s vocals conveying a message of hope, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.
Upon its release, “Don’t Stop Believin'” became a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the charts in several countries. It became one of Journey’s most beloved and recognizable songs, often cited as one of the greatest rock anthems of all time.
Despite initially modest chart success, “Don’t Stop Believin'” experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 2000s, thanks in part to its prominent use in popular culture, including its inclusion in television shows like “The Sopranos” and “Glee.” It has since become a staple of Journey’s live performances and continues to be celebrated as a classic of the rock genre.
2. “Faithfully”
“Faithfully” is a power ballad by Journey, released in 1983 as part of their album “Frontiers.” The song was written by Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist and songwriter of the band.
“Faithfully” is known for its heartfelt lyrics, soaring melodies, and emotional vocals. The song’s lyrics convey themes of love, devotion, and the challenges of life on the road, with the narrator expressing his commitment to his partner despite the distance and hardships they face.
Upon its release, “Faithfully” became a commercial success, reaching the top 20 on the charts in several countries. It has since become one of Journey’s most beloved and enduring songs, often cited as one of the greatest power ballads of all time.
“Faithfully” has been covered by numerous artists and has appeared in various films, television shows, and commercials. Its heartfelt message and powerful vocals continue to resonate with listeners, making it a timeless classic in the rock music genre.
3. “Open Arms”
“Open Arms” is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1981 as the third single from their seventh studio album, “Escape.”
“Open Arms” is a power ballad characterized by its emotional lyrics, soaring melodies, and heartfelt vocals by lead singer Steve Perry. The song explores themes of love, longing, and vulnerability, with the narrator expressing a desire for reconciliation and forgiveness in a relationship.
“Open Arms” became one of Journey’s most successful and enduring songs. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful vocals and melodic instrumentation.
The song has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials over the years. It remains a staple of soft rock and adult contemporary radio playlists and is often regarded as one of the greatest power ballads of all time.
4. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1983 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, “Frontiers.”
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” is a hard rock song characterized by its driving rhythm, catchy keyboard riff, and powerful vocals by lead singer Steve Perry. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a breakup and the emotional distance between two people who are going their separate ways.
The song’s memorable music video features the band performing against a variety of backdrops, including an abandoned warehouse and a pier. It became one of the most iconic music videos of the 1980s and received heavy rotation on MTV.
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and charting well in several other countries. It remains one of Journey’s most popular and enduring songs, and a staple of classic rock radio playlists.
5. “Wheel in the Sky”
“Wheel in the Sky” is a song by Journey, released in 1978 as part of their album “Infinity.” The song was written by Neal Schon, Robert Fleischman, and Diane Valory, the guitarist, vocalist, and bassist of the band, respectively.
“Wheel in the Sky” is characterized by its driving rhythm, catchy guitar riffs, and anthemic chorus. The song’s lyrics convey themes of uncertainty, longing, and the journey of life, with the narrator expressing a desire for clarity and direction amidst the challenges and changes they face.
Upon its release, “Wheel in the Sky” became a commercial success, reaching the top 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become one of Journey’s most beloved and enduring songs, often cited as a classic of the rock genre.
“Wheel in the Sky” has been covered by various artists and has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. Its memorable melody and relatable lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, making it a staple of Journey’s live performances and a favorite among fans of the band.
6. “Any Way You Want It”
“Any Way You Want It” is a song by Journey, released in 1980 as part of their album “Departure.” The song was written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, respectively.
“Any Way You Want It” is known for its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and energetic guitar riffs. The song’s lyrics convey themes of freedom, spontaneity, and living life to the fullest, with Perry singing about the excitement of being with someone who embraces life with enthusiasm and adventure.
Upon its release, “Any Way You Want It” became a commercial success, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become one of Journey’s most popular and enduring songs, often cited as a classic of the rock genre.
“Any Way You Want It” has been covered by various artists and has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. Its infectious energy and positive message continue to resonate with listeners, making it a staple of Journey’s live performances and a favorite among fans of the band.
7. “Who’s Crying Now”
“Who’s Crying Now” is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1981 as the first single from their seventh studio album, “Escape.”
“Who’s Crying Now” is a power ballad characterized by its emotional lyrics, melodic guitar riffs, and soaring vocals by lead singer Steve Perry. The song explores themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience, with the narrator expressing a sense of determination and self-assurance in the face of adversity.
The song’s memorable chorus and catchy melody helped propel it to commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and charting well in several other countries. It became one of Journey’s most popular and enduring songs, and a staple of classic rock radio playlists.
“Who’s Crying Now” is often regarded as one of Journey’s signature songs, and it has been covered by various artists over the years. Its emotional resonance and universal themes continue to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless classic in the rock genre.
8. “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”
“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1979 as the third single from their album “Evolution.”
“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” is a classic rock song characterized by its catchy guitar riff, driving rhythm, and soulful vocals by lead singer Steve Perry. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a romantic relationship that has soured, with the narrator expressing frustration and betrayal over their partner’s infidelity.
The song’s memorable chorus and infectious melody helped make it one of Journey’s most popular songs. It received significant airplay on rock radio stations and became a staple of the band’s live performances.
“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” has endured as one of Journey’s signature songs and remains a favorite among fans of classic rock music. Its catchy hooks and relatable lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, making it a timeless classic in the rock genre.
9. “Lights”
“Lights” is a song by Journey, released in 1978 as part of their album “Infinity.” The song was written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, respectively.
“Lights” is characterized by its mellow melody, acoustic guitar, and reflective lyrics. The song’s lyrics convey themes of nostalgia, longing, and the allure of San Francisco, with Perry singing about his love for the city and the memories it holds.
Upon its release, “Lights” became a commercial success, reaching the top 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become one of Journey’s most beloved and enduring songs, often cited as a classic of the rock genre.
“Lights” has been covered by various artists and has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and commercials. Its wistful melody and evocative lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, making it a staple of Journey’s live performances and a favorite among fans of the band.
10. “When You Love a Woman”
“When You Love a Woman” is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1996 as the lead single from their twelfth studio album, “Trial by Fire.”
“When You Love a Woman” is a power ballad characterized by its soulful vocals, lush instrumentation, and heartfelt lyrics. The song explores themes of love, commitment, and devotion, with the narrator expressing deep affection for their partner and a willingness to weather any challenges that come their way.
The song’s memorable chorus and emotional resonance helped make it one of Journey’s most successful songs. It reached the top of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It also performed well internationally, charting in several other countries.
“When You Love a Woman” received widespread critical acclaim and earned Journey a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. It remains a fan favorite and a staple of classic rock radio playlists, and it has been covered by various artists over the years.
Edward Tomlin 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.
