Background[]
In 1980, the rock band Journey, based in California, transitioned to success by recruiting vocalist Steve Perry and refining their sound. Hits like "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" and "Any Way You Want It" had already propelled them into the domestic top-25 charts. Original keyboardist Gregg Rolie left the group in 1980, prompting the recommendation of Jonathan Cain from The Babys as his replacement. Cain, inspired by his father's advice during his struggling musician days, contributed the song's title and hook.
To prepare for their upcoming album "Escape" (1981), Journey rented a warehouse in Oakland, California. Cain's synthesizer piece complemented guitarist Neil Schon's distinctive bass line, and drummer Steve Smith added a unique rock backbeat. The song's lyrical inspiration revolved around two individuals leaving their past lives and taking a midnight train to anywhere else, depicting a girl from a small town and a boy from the city.
Recording at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, proved challenging, especially with Perry absent due to a cold during the instrumental tracking. The varying sections and tempo of the song posed difficulties, but the band, with the guidance of co-producer Mike Stone, recorded it live in one take after a brief practice with a click track. Perry rejoined the recording process the following week, completing his vocals mainly in one take. The entire song and album came together within budget and in approximately two months, highlighting the collaborative effort within the band, including the contributions of newcomer Jonathan Cain.
Composition:[]
The chorus of "Don't Stop Believin'" is heard at the song's end, with 0:50 remaining, distinct from the repeated refrain. The sections before the chorus are termed "pre-chorus," forming the song's structure. It follows an introduction, verses, instrumentals, and pre-choruses. In the key of E major, with a tempo of 118 BPM, and a vocal range of E4–C#5, the song's chord progression is I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV. The lyrics mentioning "born and raised in south Detroit" refer to a non-existent place. Detroit residents commonly use "east side" and "west side," rarely "north" or "south." The lyric "streetlight people living just to find emotion" originated from Steve Perry observing people in Detroit at night. The personnel for the "Escape" version includes Steve Perry, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, and Steve Smith, while the "Revelation" live version features Arnel Pineda, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, and Deen Castronovo.
Trivia[]
- It has been used in several movies, including "Monster" (2003), "The Wedding Singer" (1998), and "Zoolander" (2001), further cementing its place in popular culture.
- The song is often considered an anthem of hope and perseverance, with its lyrics encouraging listeners to hold on to their dreams and not give up.