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Top '80s Songs of American Arena Rock Band Journey

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Over the course of only four '80s albums, former progressive rock band turned rock balladeers Journey churned out an impressive array of hit singles and prime album tracks. Almost all are worthy of praise, but it's also notable that a handful of these tunes have not only withstood the test of time but stand up well to focused scrutiny. The best of the best of Journey may be up for debate, but the fact that the band still matters as a key arena rock prototype has by now become a matter of certainty. Here are eight reasons why presented in chronological order of release.

"Any Way You Want It"

Despite the occasional but too-frequent use of this tune in annoying TV advertising, this full-tilt rocker from 1980's Departure most definitely stands as one of Journey's finest moments as a band. After all, it serves as definitive proof that the quartet had the capacity to rock with some serious authority. I don't know why people tend to forget that Neal Schon was not only a guitar prodigy but also possesses one of the most distinctively scorching guitar styles in rock. This is one of the few Journey classics on which Steve Perry's vocals take a bit of a backseat; it's all about Schon's killer riff and his commanding solos. And what's more rock than that?

"Don't Stop Believin'"

A few years back I went through a fairly prolonged "I hate Journey, they're so lame" phase, the kind that could be put to an end only through well-placed logic. I have a friend of mine to thank for that; when she offered me a viable explication of the "streetlight people" lyric from this 1981 standout, I lost a key assumed reason to criticize this rock masterpiece. A graceful combination of muscular guitars and haunting melody, this song just works down to its core, in a way as magically mysterious as the Internet or a car engine to those of us not inclined to understand the workings of such things. So just sit back and enjoy the majesty.

"Stone in Love"

Again, anyone inclined to dismiss Journey as a cream puff band overly fond of ballads and sorely lacking rock and roll cred should give another listen to this underrated classic from 1981's Escape. In terms of rock guitar riffage, this tune earns major points for its explosive intro, but beyond that, it showcases the general tightness of Journey's core quintet of members during the band's peak period. I mean, if even Ross Valory's bass playing shines during the irresistible chorus of this nearly perfect mainstream rock song, Journey must have pretty well known what it was doing.

"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"

This song is essential in a total package sort of way, from the unmistakable, energizing synth opening all the way across the spectrum to its impossibly cheesy music video chock full of '80s missteps . Whatever the angle, "Separate Ways" is valuable, central '80s music listening. After all, what makes Journey's best music so constant is the consistent quality of band components, from Perry's vocal showcase to Schon's aggressive, solid guitar work to - of course - the efficient and skilled songwriting necessary to produce this song's utterly transcendent bridge and chorus. A glorious '80s moment.

"After the Fall"

Perhaps the most underappreciated vital track from Journey's peak '80s period, this tune doubles effectively as a power ballad and mid-tempo rocker. The band happened to be a master of that format during this era, but here the lines are blurred wonderfully between lighter-worthy romantic balladry and a melodic guitar-hero sing-along. Steve Augeri, Jeff Scott Soto and Arnel Pineda notwithstanding, no one ever has sounded or probably ever will sound quite like Steve Perry at his powerfully emotive best, and this distinctiveness always will be the fuel that drives Journey's greatness.

"Faithfully"

Of Journey's two blockbuster slow-dance power ballads, I've always preferred this one for its proper appropriation of Schon's nimble lead guitar work into the winning formula. That's not to say "Open Arms" doesn't have its charms, but it's certainly one of the few occasions in which the band did not use all its positive attributes for maximum impact. "Faithfully," on the other hand, authentically tackles a subject - the impact of excessive time apart on romantic relationships - with equal amounts of universality and specificity. This soft rock classic is perhaps the epitome of Journey's wide-ranging appeal.

"Girl Can't Help It"

Despite the odd move of ditching drummer Steve Smith and bassist Valory for the 1986 album Raised on Radio, the music on the last release from Journey's most successful phase maintained the band's successful formula of guitar, keyboards, and, of course, Steve Perry. This song didn't disappoint longtime fans even if they were tired of waiting for a follow-up to 1983's Frontiers, and the reasons it struck such a chord are, again, solid song structure and familiar if not groundbreaking lyrical treatment of the inherent pitfalls of romance. It's not Perry's fault his voice soars in such an irresistible way; the boy just can't help it.

"I'll Be Alright Without You"

The good thing about Journey going on hiatus following the Raised on Radio tour is that the best music on that disc measured up quite favorably with the band's highest-quality earlier material. That's actually a pretty rare occurrence when bands are wise enough to exit before inevitable decline sets in. This fine mid-tempo track arguably stands as one of the band's most impressive achievements of the '80s, blessed as it is with a compelling keyboard groove, some of Schon's tastiest lead guitar work of his long career, and another forehead-vein-protruding but the thoroughly engrossing vocal performance from Mr. Perry.

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Journey’s 10 Best Songs

Sure, "Don't Stop Believin'" -- but there's a whole lot more.

By Gary Graff

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Though it arrives amidst lawsuits , social media sniping and infighting, Journey is turning 50 this year.

During that half century, the group has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, logging 11 platinum-or-better albums (including Diamond certifications for 1981’s Escape and 1988’s Greatest Hits) , earning eight top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and 25 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s also been a reliable ticket-selling act for most of its career, and in 2017, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Journey’s is the story of eras. When the group originally formed in San Francisco in 1973, original manager Herbie Herbert helped bring together guitarist Neal Schon and keyboard player/vocalist Gregg Rolie from Santana, bassist Ross Valory and rhythm guitarist George Tickner from Frumious Bandersnatch and drummer Prairie Prince from The Tubes. Prince would be replaced by David Bowie/Frank Zappa skins man Aynsley Dunbar, while Tickner would leave after Journey’s self-titled first album in 1975. The remaining quartet recorded two more albums before Steve Perry came on board for 1978’s Infinity, which began the band’s run of multi-platinum smashes — also marking the first appearance of Alton Kelley and Stanley Mouse’s iconic scarab logo for the band. Dunbar was replaced by Steve Smith for 1979’s Evolution , and Rolie would leave in 1980 with Jonathan Cain of The Babys joining to help elevate the band to even greater fortunes on Escape and Frontiers .

The palette has been diverse, but there are common elements among Journey’s best songs — sturdy melodies and sing-along choruses, usually leading into one of Schon’s majestic guitar solos. But within that mold there’s also been plenty of invention and clever arrangements that have never been as formulaic as some of the band’s detractors (particularly during their early ‘80s heyday) would have you believe.

Journey has gone through its fair share of lineups, with singer Arnel Pineda on board since 2007 — the longest continuous tenure of any Journey frontman. The group released Freedom , it’s first new studio album in 11 years, in 2022, and despite the current legal fractures (which you can read about in detail here ), still they ride, as the Escape track says — and may they keep on runnin’ for a long time.

With all that in mind, here are our picks for Journey’s 10 best songs — not all of which come from the biggest hits.

"Someday Soon" ( Departure , 1980)

This album track from Rolie’s finally studio effort with the band is a hypnotic tone poem, with a ringing, cushy ambience and a hippie kind of optimism – not to mention the best give-and-take Perry and Rolie achieved during their time together in the band. It’s of course been eclipsed by Journey’s myriad hits (“Any Way You Want It” is the enduring top 40 Hot 100 hit from Departure ), but it’s a gem worthy of discovery.  Listen here.

"Escape" ( Escape , 1981)

The title track from Journey’s Billboard 200-topping studio album straddled the hard rock/pomp attack of the group’s mid-‘70s output with the melodic sensibility of the Perry-Cain axis. Its five-minute length provides room for the arrangement to stretch out and flow from one song part to the next, with a crunch that was part of Journey’s palette at the time. Listen here.

"Of a Lifetime" ( Journey , 1975)

The Journey of 1973-77 was certainly a different creature than the hitmaking colossus so many know and love. The group’s initial lineups flexed instrumental muscles, smoothly knitting together a number of styles more interested in the journey (ba- dum ) than any commercial destination. The first track from its first album is a prototype, leaning into blues, psychedelic rock and a touch of Latin, with the first of what would become many standout Schon solos, and a tuneful sturdiness delivered by Rolie’s soulful vocal. Listen here.

"Faithfully" (Frontiers , 1983)

The melody of this top 20 Hot 100 hit came to Cain in a dream on a tour bus, and his paean to the struggle between home and the road was written in a half-hour. The result was a swoon-inducing ballad tailor-made for a sea of lighters (back then) and cellphone flashlights (now), capturing one of Perry’s best recorded performances and one of Schon’s most inspired solos. One of its great side stories is that Prince contacted Cain after he wrote “Purple Rain,” concerned that it might be too similar to “Faithfully.” Cain determined it wasn’t, but joked to Billboard that, “After seeing what it became, I should have asked for a couple of points….”

"Ask the Lonely" (single, 1983)

Recorded for Frontiers , this one wound up in the romcom Two of a Kind (starring the Grease duo of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John) and rocked its way to No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Like “Only the Young,” which wound up in Vision Quest two years later, it showed that Journey was on roll – and well-suited for big soundtrack moments. Listen here.

"Who's Crying Now" ( Escape, 1981)

The best of Journey’s swoon songs — started by Perry while driving into Los Angeles and finished with Cain — has a subtlety and dynamic build that sets it apart from the many others of its ilk they’d create. The verse slips into the chorus with a soulful ease, and Schon’s guitar accents deftly build up to his searing solo at the end. The Escape single reached No. 4 on the Hot 100. Listen here.

"Feeling That Way" ( Infinity , 1978)

If fans at the time wondered how Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie would co-exist, this was the answer — an ebb-and-flow tradeoff that proved they could complement each other as lead singers as well as harmonize smoothly together (first evidenced by Infinity ‘s lead track “Lights”). Its medley-like pairing with the next track, “Anytime,” was gravy that would become a motif on the next few Journey albums. Listen here.

"Just the Same Way" ( Evolution , 1979)

Journey’s fifth album had a punchier sound than Infinity — though they shared producer Roy Thomas Baker — which worked to the benefit of the album’s first single. Led by Rolie’s piano and muscular lead vocal, with Perry responding on the choruses and bridge, it reached No. 58 on the Hot 100 in 1979. In a perfect world this would have been as big as anything from Escape or Frontiers, but it’s still a convincing introduction to the Rolie era of the band. Listen here.

"Don't Stop Believin'" ( Escape , 1981)

More than a billion Spotify streams, a Library of Congress National Recording Registry placement and plays at virtually every sporting event around the world don’t lie — this one is Journey’s pinnacle of success. Created during a rehearsal at the group’s warehouse HQ in Oakland, Calif., it gave us the “streetlight people” of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip and put the non-existent South Detroit on the map. And it saves the chorus for the song’s end, after the guitar solo. A cross-generational hit? Believe it, gleefully.

"Stone in Love" ( Escape , 1981)

Schon reportedly called this “Stoned in Love” when he wrote the riff, and it’s certainly an addictive track that’s the best roll-down-the-windows-and-crank-it-up Journey fix you could ask for — not to mention a frequent show opener. A No. 13 Mainstream Rock Airplay hit in 1981, the song is practically a deep cut today. But its anthemic chorus is a spirit-lifter and the dynamic breakdown that segues into the song-closing guitar solo harks back to the ambitious musicality of the first few albums. “Stone” is a gem that still shines bright. Listen here.

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The 10 best Journey songs

Let's face it, AOR just wouldn't have been the same without them – here are Journey's ten best tracks

For many, Journey are the band who define AOR better than anyone else. Their catalogue glitters with unforgettable anthems, which not only contain massive choruses, but also the sort of musicianship you might expect from a band who began life as jazz rock instrumentalists before embracing the melodic rock style for which they’re renowned. We've gone through the band's back catalogue and hand-picked their 10 finest moments.

10. Girl Can’t Help It (1986)

After taking a break from the band to work on his solo album Street Talk , vocalist Steve Perry was persuaded to return to the fold for 1986's Raised On Radio album. While the production shows a clear-cut influence of the times, Perry’s vocals shine as brightly as ever, while Jonathan Cain’s smooth keyboards complement Neal Schon ’s edgy guitar stride.

9. Faithfully (1983)

This is the way Journey explained the problems of trying to carry on a relationship while out on the road touring. One of the stand-out tracks from 1983's Frontiers , Faithfully has a soft lilt that exposes an emptiness. However, this is augmented by the lush rhythm and the way that Steve Perry croons his way through without ever wallowing in over emotional hyperbole. A power ballad in the best Journey tradition.

8. Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (1979)

Anyone who thinks that Journey aren’t capable of anything other than slushy ballads really should check out Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’ from 1979's Evolution album. It has a funk groove, and while the tempo is very much of the balladic kind, Neal Schon stabs through with some electrifying moments. What’s more, Steve Perry’s vocals soar impressively to ensure maximum dramatic impact. One of the highlights on Evolution .

7. Lights (1978)

The opening song from 1978's Infinity record – the album that introduced Steve Perry to the world, and also put the band’s new-found melodic style on display for the very first time. It’s easy to tell why American radio fell in love with Journey at this point in time. The music is filled with commercial astuteness, the harmonies are sublime and the whole timbre of Lights is evocative and stylish. This oozes the sort of class that would become the norm for Journey in the coming years.

6. Who’s Cryin’ Now (1981)

Who’s Cryin’ Now begins with an unvarnished piano piece from Jonathan Cain, on which Steve Perry builds his rich tone. And Ross Vallory provides some tasteful bass lines, to underline the whole feel of the song. This is the type of track that accentuates Perry’s love for great soul singers, while it also showcases the way in which Journey stood apart from all the huge selling AOR masters, and why Escape is regarded as the classic Journey album.

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5. Stone In Love (1981)

The fact this song opens up with shards of Neal Schon's guitar riffing proves that Journey were always prepared to give full weight to the heavier side of their talent. And Steve Perry also comes across with a lot more power than you might expect. This is a song where Journey never forget about the melody, but also give free rein to a rocky vibe. It also accentuates that Escape was always far more than just a collection of power ballads.

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4. Any Way You Want It (1980)

It may seem odd, but this song was actually inspired by Thin Lizzy , with whom Journey had toured a couple of years before recording the Departure album in 1980. But when you dig down and analyse the way in which the vocals are constructed, and the interchange between the instruments, then the influence becomes a lot clearer. There’s a gliding feel to the guitar parts that does feel like it is Thin Lizzy influenced, and Steve Perry adopts a storytelling style that is close to the Phil Lynott approach – and the whole feel suits Journey superbly.

3. Wheel In The Sky (1978)

Wheel In The Sky was co-written by Robert Fleischman, the band’s original choice of vocalist when they moved into a more commercial direction. However, when Fleischman didn’t work out and was replaced by Steve Perry, the song was thankfully retained. It starts with a flashing guitar groove, through which Perry cuts with a vibrant performance. In some ways, this is a basic live performance from the band, bringing a heavier dynamic to bear, but this fitted right into the whole feel of Infinity , and showed Journey could pound with the best.

2. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (1983)

After the enormous success of the Escape album, how did the band choose to open up their next album Frontiers ? With a powerhouse rocker than fitted right into an era where AOR was beginning to become a little less reliant on studio technology and celebrated talent. Of course, the rich production is evident here, but what makes the song work superbly is that way Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry and Neal Schon intertwine. There’s a buoyancy in Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) that tells of a band who are really playing off of each other’s strengths. The result is undeniably passionate.

1. Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)

Is there anyone on the planet who does not know this song? It has got to be one of the most exposed tracks over the past two decades or so. And, because it’s so well known, it’s very easy to lose sight of just why this is so popular. Because Don’t Stop Believin’ is a peerless example of musical genius. Everything about it is simply perfect – the musicality, the vocals, the simple structure, the insistent melody… hell, this is not just Journey’s best song, it’s one of the truly landmark moments of the 80s.

Malcolm Dome had an illustrious and celebrated career which stretched back to working for  Record Mirror  magazine in the late 70s and  Metal Fury  in the early 80s before joining  Kerrang!  at its launch in 1981. His first book,  Encyclopedia Metallica , published in 1981, may have been the inspiration for the name of a certain band formed that same year. Dome is also credited with inventing the term "thrash metal" while writing about the  Anthrax  song  Metal Thrashing Mad  in 1984. With the launch of Classic Rock magazine in 1998 he became involved with that title, sister magazine Metal Hammer, and was a contributor to Prog magazine since its inception in 2009. He died in 2021 . 

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The Best Journey Songs Of All Time

What is Journey's biggest hit? Here are the best Journey songs of all time, ranked by fans everywhere. Journey are indisputably known as one of the greatest rock bands to ever walk the Earth, with former lead singer Steve Perry even crowned "the voice" by many industry moguls. Established in San Francisco, CA, in 1973, Journey has sold out countless concert tours worldwide throughout their five decade career. The arena rock band's legendary music and unparalleled performance style ultimately led to their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2017. Some of Journey's top songs include "Don't Stop Believin'" ( Escape , 1981), "Any Way You Want It" ( Departure , 1980), "Lights" ( Infinity , 1978), "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" ( Frontiers , 1983), and "Wheel In The Sky" ( Infinity , 1978).

From their new and latest music to their older popular songs, this Journey playlist features all of their greatest hits, according to the fans. Do your favorite Journey songs crack the top 10? Vote up the best songs by Journey, and don't forget to show their underrated tracks love as well.

Don't Stop Believin'

Best Lyrics:

Strangers waiting Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searching in the night Streetlights, people Living just to find emotion Hiding somewhere in the night

Stone in Love

In the heat with a blue jean girl Burning love comes once in a lifetime She found me singing by the rail road tracks Took me home, we danced by the moonlight

Those summer nights are calling Stone in love Can't help myself, I'm falling

Feeling That Way

Opened my eyes to a new kind of way All the good times that you saved Are you feeling You feeling that way too Or am I just Am I just a fool

Wheel in the Sky

Winter is here again, oh lord Haven't been home in a year or more I hope she holds on a little longer Sent a letter on a long summer day Made of silver, not of clay I've been runnin' down this dusty road

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin' I don't know where I'll be tomorrow

And being apart ain't easy on this love affair Two strangers learn to fall in love again I get the joy of rediscovering you Oh girl, you stand by me I'm forever yours, faithfully

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Someday, love will find you Break those chains that bind you One night will remind you How we touched and went our separate ways

If he ever hurts you True love won't desert you You know I still love you Though we touched and went our separate ways

When the lights go down in the City And the sun shines on the bay Ooh, I wanna be there in my City, oh Oh, oh, oh

Any Way You Want It

She said, any way you want it That's the way you need it Any way you want it

I was alone I never knew What good love could do Ooh, then we touched Then we sang About the lovin' things

Send Her My Love

Callin' out your name I'm dreamin' Reflections of a face I'm seein' It's her voice That keeps on haunting me

Send her, send her my love Roses never fade Memories remain

Who's Crying Now

One love, feeds the fire One heart, burns desire I wonder who's crying now? Two hearts, born to run Who'll be the lonely one? I wonder who's crying now?

Only the Young

Shadows of a golden age A generation waits for dawn Brave carry on Bold and the strong

Only the young can say They're free to fly away Sharing the same desire Burnin' like wildfire

Ask The Lonely

You've got some fascination With you high expectations This love is your obsession Your heart, your past possession Let down your defenses Won't be up to the one who cares

Still They Ride

Spinning 'round, in a spell It's hard to leave this carousel 'Round and 'round And 'round and 'round

Still they ride, on wheels of fire They rule the night Still they ride, the strong will survive Chasing thunder

Touchin', Lovin', Squeezin'

It won't be long, yes, till you're alone When your lover, oh, he hasn't come home 'Cause he's lovin' who he's touchin', he's squeezin' another

He's tearin' you apart Ooh, every day, every day

Just The Same Way

Take a chance now the timing's right. You're free to leave the key to my life. Stay with me. Won't you stay the night, In the mornin' feelin' fine, yeah.

That's the same way you love me. 

Girl Can't Help It

If he could hold her, so close in his arms again If she could show him The letter her heart forgot to send why They're livin' dreams on their own Ooh they'll never stop running

The girl can't help it, she needs more He hasn't found what he's lookin' for They're still standing in the rain He can't help it, and she's just that way

Be Good To Yourself

Runnin' out of self-control Gettin' close to an overload Up against a no win situation Shoulder to shoulder, push and shove I'm hangin' up my boxin' gloves I'm ready for a long vacation

Be good to yourself when, nobody else will Oh be good to yourself You're walkin' a high-wire, caught in a crossfire

I'll Be Alright Without You

I'll be alright without you Oh love's an empty face, I can't replace (You don't need it) People wonderin' why we broke apart The great pretender here I go again These things I do (It's all because of you) I'll keep holdin' but I'll try (Try not to think of you)

Mother, Father

Through bitter tears And wounded years, those ties Of blood were strong So much to say, those yesterdays So now don't you turn away.

Hey, mother, father, sister Hey, come back, tryin', believein' Hey, mother, father, dreamer

The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)

So I will tell you this, Our love is in a fix. Just what more can I do. When I'm hopelessly in love with you?

When You Love A Woman

When you love a woman You see your world inside her eyes When you love a woman (Well) You know she's standing by your side A joy that lasts forever There's a band of gold that shines Waiting somewhere, oh, yeah

After The Fall

But a head strong stubborn man Only works it out the best he can Valentines he never sent There's not enough time he's a working man

Can't stop falling Heartaches calling Finds you after the fall

I see your face at the movies I hear your voice on the radio You're making love on the silver screen I want you more than you will ever know Temptation...Infatuation

Suzanne, don't walk away

Why Can't This Night Go On Forever

Lost in twilight, the memories Precious moments, you and me We've been old friends, all through the years Picture postcards, sharing tears

What's in our hearts, there's never time, to say Need you tonight, lover don't fade away I've seen your city lights As I walk away Why can't this night...go on forever

After All These Years

A faded wedding photograph You and me in our first dance Our eyes are closed We're lost in one sweet embrace Since those days the world has changed But our love remains the same God knows we've had our share of saving grace

Where Were You

I didn't know what the hell was goin' on, Someday you're gonna break. So don't try to get yourself straight, You're just a little too late.

• Classic Rock

20 Best Journey Songs of All Time, Ranked

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

The Top 20 Journey Songs, Ranked

20. “walks like a lady”.

• Album: Departure
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 32

"Walks Like a Lady,” released in 1980 as part of the album "Departure," is a classic rock anthem known for its energetic guitar riffs and soulful message. With its driving rhythm and Steve Perry's strong vocals, the song describes the magnetic power and complexities of women.

19. “After The Fall”

• Album: Frontiers
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 23

"After the Fall" is a poignant ballad exploring post-breakup emotions. It spent 12 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100’s Chart! Steve Perry's emotive vocals convey themes of heartbreak, reflection, and resilience. The song dives into the aftermath of a relationship, portraying vulnerability and eventual strength, showcasing Journey's emotional depth and melodic prowess.

18. “Still They Ride”

• Album: Escape
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 19

This song tells the story of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. With its melodic hooks and Steve Perry's impassioned vocals, the song chronicles the journey of individuals overcoming challenges, and holding onto hope despite the odds. It's a testament to resilience and the human spirit's ability to endure hardships.

17. "Suzanne"

Album: Raised on Radio

• Hot 100 Peak Position: 17

"Suzanne" is a heartfelt ballad expressing longing and devotion. Steve Perry's soulful vocals convey a man’s deep affection for Suzanne, a woman he can’t have. The song captures the essence of romantic yearning, evoking emotions of love and longing with its melodic arrangement and poignant lyrics.

16. “Be Good to Yourself”

• Hot 100 Peak Position: 9

"Be Good to Yourself" made its way to the top 10 of the Billboard Top 100 list for a reason– it’s an uplifting anthem about self-care! With its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, the song encourages listeners to prioritize their well-being and pursue their dreams, serving as a reminder to cherish oneself amidst society’s challenges.

15. “Send Her My Love”

"Send Her My Love" is a poignant ballad about longing and regret. Penned by band members Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, and Neal Schon, the song reflects on a lost love, with the vocalist stating that the girl he loved “needed so much more” than he could give. It’s based on a teenage breakup that Cain experienced– ouch!

14. “Girl Can’t Help It”

This rock anthem celebrates the irresistible allure of a captivating woman. With its infectious rhythm and catchy hooks, the lyrics embody the bittersweet love of a couple who return to each other after a breakup. The man in the song has a “fire in his eyes” for the woman who just can’t help the fact that she needs more.

13. “I’ll Be Alright Without You”

Hot 100 Peak Position: 14

The aftermath of a breakup is discussed in "I'll Be Alright Without You.” The song's lyrics suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance, with the protagonist acknowledging the pain of separation but also expressing determination to move forward and find solace in independence. This heartfelt ballad that resonates with those experiencing the end of a relationship.

12. "Only the Young"

• Album: Vision Quest

"Only the Young" reflects on the resilience of youth and the pursuit of dreams. The first person to hear the song after its creation was 16-year-old Journey fan Kenny Sykaluk through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, one day before his untimely death. It conveys a message of hope and perseverance, urging young listeners to stay strong in the face of challenges.

11. “Stone in Love”

Possessing one of Journey’s many Platinum awards, “Stone in Love” describes the feeling of falling in love, likening it to being “stoned,” or intoxicated by love. The song captures the excitement, passion, and energy of newfound, summer romance. It's a celebration of the joy and thrill that young love brings!

10. “When You Love a Woman”

• Album: Trial by Fire
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 12

"When You Love a Woman" is a tender ballad exploring the depth of love and the commitment it entails. The song delves into the complexities of relationships, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and cherishing each other's presence. It conveys a heartfelt message about the transformative power of love and the willingness to overcome obstacles together.

• Album: Infinity
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 68

“Lights” was one of the first songs that Steve Perry wrote for Journey. Originally written about Los Angeles, Perry eventually changed the lyrics to be about San Franciso. Interpretations suggest it's a reflection on returning home after being gone, capturing the sense of belonging and comfort found in familiar surroundings. This song eventually became a staple on every “Oldies” radio station.

8. “Wheel in the Sky”

• Hot 100 Peak Position: 57

This song was the first Journey song to ever make the Hot 100 list– and for good reason! The lyrics stem from a poem that bass player Ross Valory’s wife, Diane, wrote about the longing she felt for her husband while he was on tour. Valory then revamped the poem to be about missing Diane while on the road, reflected in the lyrics: “Haven’t been home in a year or more, I hope she holds on a little longer.” How sweet!

7. “Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'”

• Album: Evolution
• Hot 100 Peak Position: 16

This song describes the heartbreak and confusion that comes with being cheated on, with the song’s first lines being “You make me weep and wanna die.” Inspired by Steve Perry’s life, this blues-esque rock anthem convey the depth of infidelity and the turmoil it causes.

6. “Who’s Crying Now”

Hot 100 Peak Position: 4

This chart topper is a poignant ballad featuring Steve Perry's emotive vocals and Neal Schon's melodic guitar. Lyrically, it discusses the complexities of a troubled relationship, with the protagonist pondering who bears the most pain amidst the turmoil, resonating with listeners seeking solace in heartfelt music.

5. “Any Way You Want It”

"Any Way You Want It" is a feel good anthem released in 1980. It's known for its infectious energy, catchy guitar riffs, and memorable chorus. The song expresses a sense of freedom and spontaneity in love, with the protagonist proclaiming their willingness to adapt to their partner's every whim.

4. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”

• Hot 100 Peak Position: 8

"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" is characterized by its energetic rhythm, catchy synthesizer riff, and Steve Perry's powerful vocals.The song speaks about the end of a relationship and the emotional fallout. The song became a signature hit for Journey, known for its memorable hook and anthemic quality.

3. “Open Arms”

• Hot 100 Peak Position: 2

This chart topper camped out on the #2 spot of the Billboard Hot 100’s list for a shocking 6 weeks! The lyrics detail the efforts to reignite a relationship between two people who have drifted apart. The singer says, “now I come to you, with open arms, nothing to hide, believe what I say.” A sweet power ballad, this song welcomes listeners with open arms.

3. “Faithfully”

"Faithfully" is a power ballad that explores the challenges and rewards of life on the road for a touring musician. Written by Jonathan Cain, it reflects on the sacrifices made in pursuit of a dream, particularly the strain it places on relationships. Steve Perry's emotive vocals convey the longing for connection despite physical distance, making it a timeless anthem of devotion and dedication.

1. “Don’t Stop Believin'”

The most iconic Journey song, “Don’t Stop Believin’” hasn’t stopped gracing the airways since its release in 1981. This song shot up to the 9th postion on the Top 100s list and stayed on the Billboard 200’s list for 700 weeks! The biggest song of all time, it has sold a stunning 20 million units.

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Top 35 Videos by Journey, Together and Apart

Journey managed to release one of the most talked-about clips in MTV history during their brief time making videos. As you'll see below in our ranking of every Journey music video, however, there were plenty of other high and low points beyond the ubiquitous "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)."

Because of their relatively small video catalog, we've expanded the rankings to include closely related clips from Steve Perry , Bad English (which included three members of Journey's current lineup ), Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon . That serves to provide a broader overview of their career arc from the '70s through the '20s without drifting too far afield thematically.

Some feature composed storylines while others lean on lip-synced performances. Along the way, you'll find knights and motorcyclists, big hair and even bigger hooks, backstage shenanigans and long-gone girlfriends, cartoon beetles and (yes) air-keyboards.

READ MORE: Ranking All 52 Journey Songs From the '80s

Taken together with a multi-platinum discography, the Top 35 Videos by Journey complete a winding narrative from obscure jam band to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame . Additional commentary for the entries is excerpted from the new Amazon best-selling Journey biography, Journey: Worlds Apart . No. 35. Journey, "After the Fall" From: Frontiers (1983)

By the time Journey returned for 1986's Raised on Radio , they had sworn off scripted videos . This clip makes the case for that decision, reeling off a sort of greatest hits of bad choices. A set resembling an empty builder-grade apartment was lit through the blinds. There's awkward lip-syncing, awkward dancing, even awkward standing – and, sigh, band members actually falling. Even Journey looks bored, at one point reaching for a caffeine boost of coffee while singing the chorus.

No. 34. Journey, "City of Hope" From: Eclipse (2011)

Smart use of video from Arnel Pineda's homeland for one of this album's better songs, but it's all undercut by a series of remarkably cheap-looking band shots.

No. 33. Journey, "Chain Reaction" From: Frontiers (1983)

For some reason, this era saw a lot of singing into women's ears. (More on that later.) This time, they sing into a mannequin's ear! Seriously, though, that tussle between Steve Perry and Neal Schon looked a little too real. Their next project together wouldn't arrive for three years.

No. 32. Gregg Rolie, "Young Love" From: Gregg Rolie (1985)

Videos like this were so common as to be anodyne in the '80s. That's not the problem. It's that Columbia Records somehow picked "Young Love" over "I Wanna Go Back," the Gregg Rolie deep cut that would become a Top 15 hit for Eddie Money just one year later.

No. 31. Schon and Hammer, "No More Lies" From: Here to Stay (1982)

Neal Schon sings some stuff to a woman, then he and Jan Hammer get trapped in a twine box? Hey, it was the '80s.

No. 30. Bad English, "Love is a 4 Letter Word" From: Bad English (1989)

A rudimentary lip-sync video is enlivened by an actual crowd at an actual show in Atlanta.

No. 29. Neal Schon, "What You Want" From: So U (2014)

For some reason, the deeply talented Deen Castronovo shared singing duties on So U with Marco Mendoza and leader Neal Schon, as Schon continued an occasional flirtation with vocals that went back to Journey's Next in 1977. History tells us, however, that Columbia Records demanded that Journey hire a new singer for the LP which followed.

No. 28. Journey, "Wheel in the Sky" From: Infinity (1978)

An otherwise nondescript performance video is paired with the single. Best part: Neal Schon's seriously kick-ass kimono.

No. 27. Bad English, "Straight to Your Heart" From: Backlash (1991)

Arguably Bad English's best single arrived on their well-named second album: The whole AOR sound that its members from Journey and the Babys had created was about to be subsumed by the tidal wave of grunge.

No. 26. Journey, "Send Her My Love" From: Frontiers (1983)

As with "Wheel in the Sky," a performance video is paired with the single – only this time with some utterly enraptured gazes from the audience.

No. 25. Journey, "Why Can't This Night Go On Forever" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

"Why Can't This Night Go On Forever" featured an appropriately wistful clip-file video from a band that was grinding to another sudden halt .

No. 24. Journey, "Lights" From: Infinity (1978)

Unlikely controversy surrounded this clip, and not because of the dizzying visual effects during the choruses. "I went to some Billboard conference, and [founding manager] Herbie Herbert was there," Journey video producer Paul Flattery told me. "He came up to me and he was blasting me for the Journey video. His big complaint involved Aynsley Dunbar, the drummer. His stomach stuck out in one of the shots. They were lined up, in kind of a profile thing. It was like, 'He complains to me about this every day.'"

No. 23. Neal Schon, "The Calling" From: The Calling (2012)

You get a sense that Schon maybe loves motorcycles? What actually made this session so great: Steve Smith. Initial work on a few tracks eventually became an album-length collaboration, then The Calling – Schon's best solo album to date – precipitated a completely unexpected return to Journey.

No. 22. Journey, "Any Way You Want It" From: Departure (1980)

An otherwise nondescript performance video is bookended with jukebox scenes that neatly presuppose the placement of "Don't Stop Believin'" in the finale of The Sopranos .

No. 21. Steve Perry, "Missing You" From: For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994)

Typical of its time, this clip from Perry's long-awaited sophomore solo LP is more texture than actual context.

No. 20. Bad English, "Forget Me Not" From: Bad English (1989)

This band included three former members of the Babys, the doomed opening act that provided a tour-long audition for future cornerstone Jonathan Cain . Bad English would suffer a similar fate, hinted at (once again) by the way John Waite and Neal Schon push each other around in this clip for their failed debut single.

No. 19. Journey, "Just the Same Way" From: Evolution (1979)

OK, not much happens. But there was a cool juxtaposition of light and darkness when Rolie shared vocals early in Perry's tenure. Unfortunately, it was an all-too-brief moment in time. Media attention was soon focused squarely on the newcomer, and Rolie exited in 1980. "I don't think Perry really liked me singing. 'I'm the singer,'" Rolie told me. "Well, OK. But my answer to that is, you know, the Beatles did great with four singers. Four, right? Not one." In the end, Rolie felt "there was a design to all of that: 'You've got to have a frontman now,' and it was so they've got something to write about, and focus on. Now hopefully the frontman in any band is going to rally behind the guys behind them that helped them be the frontman. Bands are bands and they've got to live like that — and that's hard to do, especially when the press gets involved."

No. 18. Gregg Rolie, "The Hands of Time" From: Gringo (1987)

You may assume that Rolie couldn't pull off the sleek plasticine sound of the '80s, since his departure coincided with Journey's shift in that direction. "The Hands of Time" proves otherwise.

No. 17. Bad English, "Price of Love" From: Bad English (1989)

They whiffed on a rocker, then hit with a Diane Warren power ballad. So guess what their next single sounded like? A somehow forgotten No. 5 hit.

No. 16. Neal Schon, "Love Finds a Way" From: So U (2014)

Schon's best solo single agan showcases Castronovo and Mendoza, both of whom participated in offshoot bands and the main Journey lineup. Castronovo's ability to pull off Perry-type vocals while manning the drums is a remarkable thing to watch. A friend of Rolie's son memorably walked up to Castronovo after a performance and "and he goes, 'I'm convinced that you're only half human' — because he can do that," Rolie told me, with a laugh. "I couldn’t believe that he was singing the way he was singing and playing these complex things. It's amazing to me. He thinks 'What? Can't everybody do that?' 'No, no, not at all!'"

No. 15. Journey, "When You Love a Woman" From: Trial By Fire (1996)

A suitably staid clip for a very staid song.

No. 14. Journey, "I'll Be Alright Without You" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Points given for the new accapella ending. Points taken away for Randy Jackson's polka-dotted bass.

No. 13. Steve Perry, "No More Cryin'" From: Traces (2018)

Notable for the unwelcome absence of organist Booker T. Jones. The Stax legend connected Traces with Perry's love of R&B, while girding it all with mirthful soul. Keyboardist Dallas Kruse mimes the part.

No. 12. Bad English, "When I See You Smile" From: Bad English (1989)

In which three past or future members of Journey are shown up by John Waite's gloriously hair-sprayed visage.

No. 11. Journey, "Feeling That Way" From: Infinity (1978)

Love the Budweiser on Gregg Rolie's keyboard. The only disappointment was learning that he wasn't simply boozing it up. The beer company was a Journey tour sponsor.

No. 10. Steve Perry, "Most of All" From: Traces (2018)

Notable for its welcome showcase of Thom Flowers, who turns in a delicately involving guitar solo after helping shepherd Perry's long-awaited comeback as co-producer of Traces . "Most of All," an emotional goodbye to Perry's late girlfriend Kellie Nash, was one of its triumphs.

No. 9. Gregg Rolie, "What About Love" From: Sonic Ranch (2019)

Rolie was inspired by Ringo Starr 's message of peace and love as a member of the longest-tenured lineup of the All-Starr Band, and "What About Love" is the result. Rolie then enlisted his son Sean Rolie to help with a music video. Its jittery blend of candid backstage footage, performance clips from the Journey Through Time offshoot band, and open-road imagery served as a canny update of Rolie's image for a new era.

No. 8. Steve Perry, "You Better Wait" From: For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994)

It's cool that he carried the patented tuxedo-jacket look into his solo career, but a run-down shack out in the desert clearly wasn't the most hospitable setting. Perry loses the shirt.

No. 7. Steve Perry, "Foolish Heart" From: Street Talk (1984)

Deceptively difficult to film, this concept came courtesy of Journey video producer Paul Flattery's director of photography. But slowly zooming in and out on Steve Perry from the balcony of this intimate theater proved to be outrageously expensive. "You didn't have a crane that could have the camera actually in the balcony and below the parapet, and then come up and go all the way down," Flattery told me. "So, the solution was to build a fake balcony, which you could then strike as soon as the camera was clear of it. Then you could get everything and everybody out of the way by the time you got down to the stage and the camera turned around. For something that looks so simple, that was a lot of hard work."

No. 6. Journey, "The Way We Used to Be" From: Freedom (2022)

They made the best of pandemic-era restrictions with a fizzy animated video that finds Neal Schon suddenly transforming into Journey's familiar scarab .

No. 5. Steve Perry, "We're Still Here" From: Traces (2018)

Perry's first scripted video since 1994's "Missing You" recalls the pitched nostalgia of Journey's "Still They Ride" – but from a much different perspective. "I think I was the first person to ask him about 'We're Still Here,' and I was taking that as, like, existential," former Rolling Stone editor David Wild told me. "Instead, it was him remembering how he went down to record some- thing in Hollywood at one of the studios and all these young people and rock 'n' roll freaks were out, sort of crawling around — 'streetlight people,' as he once coined it. He was praising and con- necting with them. There's still youth and still energy on the streets."

No. 4. Steve Perry, "Strung Out" From: Street Talk (1984)

Perry began sessions for this first solo album by tearing through an early version of "Strung Out." It was largely indistinguishable from the average Journey song in both construction and approach. Things got more interesting with the video, as Journey video producer Paul Flattery oversaw a prequel for Perry's "Oh Sherrie" promo clip. "We were trying to make pieces of art as opposed to pieces of commerce," Flattery told me. The obvious goal was to "build on the success of 'Oh Sherrie,' which was a huge, huge hit — and so we wanted to ride the coattails of that. I don't know if anybody had ever done a sequel, let alone a prequel. What happened was, it gave MTV an incentive to play both together as a kind of a suite. So they would say, here's the new Steve Perry thing — and then of course, it would lead into his biggest hit, which wasn't a bad thing to do."

No. 3. Journey, "Faithfully" From: Frontiers (1983)

A road video for song written on the road about life on the road, and the terrible strain that can put on a relationship. The funny scene with Steve Smith belies this song's underlying message: Author Cain and singer Perry were both struggling against heartbreak. The track itself came together spontaneously, before Perry asked to be alone in the studio to record his vocal. The finished take was unlike any Perry ever tried. He credited that, in part, to the fact that Cain had written "Faithfully" in his own key. "From the opening lines, he's just absolutely dripping with emotion," founding MTV VJ Martha Quinn told me. "Every time you put the needle down, you can just feel it." Perry completed the song by conjuring an ending dance between his “whoa whoa whoa” and Neal Schon's guitar out of thin air.

No. 2. Journey, "Separate Ways" From: Frontiers (1983)

The set up, featuring Journey members playing air instruments while a model marches around, has been mercilessly mocked . But "Separate Ways" was simply a product of its time – and hardly the worst example of '80s-era video excess. "It goes back to that optimism and sense of fun that people will return to, time and time again," Quinn said. "Rock aficionados may have said, 'Oh, that was cornball.' Well, ask people that are still doing send-ups today, down to every last camera angle." At the same time, the video inadvertently set the stage for future solo success. Perry brought then-girlfriend Sherrie Swafford to the set, and she reportedly became jealous. "You're going to have a slut in your video?" Jonathan Cain remembered Swafford asking Perry. That left Perry to openly wonder if he'd have to write a song for Swafford to smooth things over. " And so he did ," Cain said with a laugh.

No. 1. Steve Perry, "Oh Sherrie" From: Street Talk (1984)

Journey video producer Paul Flattery came up with a story-within-a-story approach that showed Steve Perry pushing back against a typically over-the-top shoot in order to film a more straightforward plea to namesake girlfriend Sherrie Swafford. The rejected high-concept portion originally had an Egyptian motif, but they couldn't find a suitable location, so they switched to a Shakespearean approach. ("I like to think of it as 'Richard III' — with Steve's hair," Flattery quipped.) On set, Perry's concluding interaction with Swafford may have provided some hint at what was to come: "The weird thing was at the very end, the first take we did, he goes: 'Hey, I kinda love you.' By take 6, it was 'I kinda like you,'" Flattery said with a laugh.

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Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso

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Journey joins pink floyd and bob marley on the billboard charts.

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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 29: (L-R) keyboard player Jonathan Cain, guitar player Neal Schon, singer Arnel ... [+] Pineda, drummer Deen Castronovo, and bass player Ross Valory of the band Journey performs\ at the 2011 Today Summer Concert series at Rockefeller Plaza on July 29, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Journey has long been one of the bestselling bands in the U.S. For decades, the rock group has outpaced so many of their competitors in the industry in one specific manner, as Americans never seem to tire of their music.

This week, Journey’s Greatest Hits , the singles-packed compilation from the band, hits 800 weeks on the Billboard 200. It ranks as the third-longest-charting title on the ranking of the most-consumed albums in the U.S., and Journey is in incredible company by reaching this milestone.

Journey is just the third musical act to see one project live on the Billboard 200 for at least 800 weeks. They join a club that includes both Pink Floyd and Bob Marley, two of the most beloved names in music history.

For many years now, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon has ranked as the album with the most weeks spent on the Billboard 200. The rockers are in a very distant first place, and the public isn’t done with that title just yet.

This time around, Dark Side of the Moon is back on the Billboard 200 after falling away some time ago. As of this frame, the project has lived on the roster for 989 weeks, and that number increases with some regularity.

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In second place on this list of the longest-charting titles in the history of the Billboard 200 is Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers. That compilation has earned 830 stays on the tally, including this week.

This time around, Journey’s Greatest Hits falls down the chart, though it’s not in danger of disappearing from the tally. The compilation slips from No. 71 to No. 90, tumbling nearly 20 spaces. It shifted 12,376 equivalent units in the past tracking period, which is down a little more than 3% from the period before, according to Luminate.

It will be some time before another album reaches 800 weeks on the Billboard 200, but it certainly will happen again. Metallica’s self-titled project has now spent 746 frames on the list. Behind that title comes Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits , which has yet to reach 700 stays.

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