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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 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.

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Journey's Greatest Hits: 11 of The Band's Best Songs Ranked

J ourney's greatest hits? That's a tough question when you consider that lead singer Steve Perry , lead guitarist Neal Schon , bassist Ross Valory , rhythm guitarist George Tickner , keyboardist Gregg Rolie , and drummer Aynsley Dunbar - collectively known as Journey - have had 25 albums go gold and platinum.

Journey hit its highest career points between 1978 and 1987, with their most popular album being Escape (1981), which reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and features some of the band's most well-known songs.

To check them out for yourself, read on (and listen to!) Journey's greatest hits!

11. "Stone in Love" (1981): Journey's greatest hits

Neal Schon came up with the idea for "Stone in Love" (featured on Escape ) at a house party, writing the signature riff and structure, while Steve Perry, with the help of Jonathan Cain (who replaced Rolie in the band as keyboardist), finished the song. However, you can hear Perry's influence on the song during the guitar solo towards the end. 

10. "Just the Same Way" (1979) 

Written by Gregg Rolie, Schon and Ross Valory, this song appeared on Journey's Evolution album (1979). With catchy lyrics and memorable beats, this song is the epitome of the kind of music the band is best known for. 

Must read: Songs by the Ronettes: 9 of the Ultimate '60s Girl Group's Greatest Hits

9. "Ask the Lonely" (1983): Journey's greatest hits

Reaching number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1984, this track has just the right amount of rock and roll infused into it. It featured in the film Two of a Kind and appeared on its soundtrack. It was written by Perry and Cain. 

8. "Who's Crying Now" (1981) 

Another amazing song written by Cain and Perry. This song debuted at number 4 on the Billboard charts and was the Bang-highest charting single in the UK until "Don't Stop Believin'" was released later that year. This track appeared on the Escape album and highlighted Steve Perry's impressive vocal range. 

Must read: Greatest Rock Bands of All Time, Ranked: This List Will Have You Going "Crazy"

7. "When You Love a Woman" (1996): Journey's greatest hits

Appearing on the band's 10th album,  Trial by Fire (1996), the love song "When You Love a Woman" hit number 1 on the Billboard charts and stayed there for four weeks, while also finding itself nominated for a Grammy Award. It was co-written by Perry, Schon and Cain, and was one of Perry's last songs as lead vocalist for the band. 

6. "Someday Soon" (1980) 

Originally written by Ian Tyson and sung by him and Sylvia Fricker in 1963, Journey debuted their version of this song in 1980. With hard-hitting drum beats and stunning background vocals, this cover version really makes the band shine in a brand-new way. 

Must read: The Mamas & the Papas and the Drama That Unfolded For The Legendary Musicians

5. "Be Good to Yourself" (1986): Journey's greatest hits

"Be Good to Yourself" was the band's first song in over three years due to Perry's solo tour. It was written by Perry, Cain, and Schon - the only ones to appear on the track as the band was dealing with losing Ross Valory and Steve Smith at the time of its recording. 

4. "Anyway You Want It" (1980) 

Written on a tour bus by Perry and Schon, this song earned its place in music history after appearing in the 1980 comedy film  Caddyshack . Over the years, it has also been heard in  The Simpsons ,  Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle and Glee. 

Must read: Top 11 REO Speedwagon Songs, Ranked

3. "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" (1979): Journey's greatest hits

Released in 1979, this song takes listeners on a wild ride as they learn that a woman is cheating on a boyfriend, but it ends with them learning he is cheating on her, too. Written by Perry, this one has heartfelt lyrics and a slower, more soulful beat. 

2. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (1983) 

Appearing on their 1983  Frontiers  album, this song spent six weeks on the Billboard charts. However, some fans heard about it in 1982, when the band decided to play it on their  Escape  tour. Most recently, the song appeared in the Season 4 finale of the hit Netflix show  Stranger Things . 

Must read: Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumours': Secrets About The Album That Turned Heartbreak into Hits

1. "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981) Journey's greatest hits

Arguably their most famous song, "Don't Stop Believin'" was the second song released from the  Escape  album. It was a top 10 hit worldwide in 1981 and later became the band's signature song. Written by Cain, Schon and Perry, in 2009 it became the top selling track in iTunes history up to that point.

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Journey’s ‘Greatest Hits’ Scores Rare 800th Week on Billboard 200

Journey 's Greatest Hits album has reached a rare plateau by notching its 800th week on the Billboard 200 .

Only two other acts , Pink Floyd and then Bob Marley , have ever achieved this feat. Dark Side of the Moon got there in 2012 , while Marley's Legend hit 800 weeks just last September.

Journey's Greatest Hits made its Billboard 200 debut back on Dec. 3, 1988, boasting a pair of Top 5 hits, four Top 10 hits, and three Top 20 hits — along with lower-charting must-have favorites like "Lights," "Any Way You Want It," "Send Her My Love" and "Wheel in the Sky." The LP peaked at No. 10 on Feb. 11, 1989; certification for 10 million in sales followed in 1999.

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

Fans weren't the only ones who found themselves putting these old favorites in perspective. "I forgot how good they were! The stereo separation, the echoes, the snare drum sounds," Steve Perry told the Tampa Bay Times after putting together a sequel, 2011's Greatest Hits 2 . He added that Neal Schon 's "guitar is stupidly amazing, and completely still to this day underrated in my opinion."

A 2006 reissue added "When You Love a Woman," Journey's 1996 No. 12 reunion smash — just before Greatest Hits returned to the charts again. The LP was certified 15-times platinum in 2008 and 18-times platinum back in January . By then, the formula for the Billboard 200 had changed – several times.

How the Billboard 200 Has Changed

Beginning in May 1991, catalog titles like the Journey compilation were largely deemed ineligible for the main album chart. That restriction was lifted in 2009. The Billboard 200 chart has since shifted to ranking the most popular LPs based on their so-called " overall consumption ." This combines pure album sales and equivalent spins from streaming services.

Bob Marley's compilation has now logged 830 weeks on the chart. Though released in 1984, Legend didn't actually enter the Top 10 until 2014, when the LP soared to No. 5 after being priced at just 99 cents in the Google Play store.

Dark Side of the Moon remains the all-time leader with 989 weeks. Metallica 's self-titled 1991 album is at No. 4 with 747 weeks. The Top 5 is rounded out by Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits by Creedence Clearwater Revival , which reaches 689 this week.

Nick DeRiso is author of the Amazon best-selling rock band bio 'Journey: Worlds Apart,' available now at all major bookseller websites .

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