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Ranking All 52 Journey Songs From the ’80s

Journey moved more than 6 million albums in America in the '70s, most of them after Steve Perry joined in time for 1978's Infinity . Not bad.

Then their second proper studio album of the following decade, 1983's Frontiers , sold more than that all but itself. By then, however, they'd amassed so much commercial momentum that this LP was actually considered something of a letdown.

Journey kicked off the '80s with a trio of very different farewell projects as co-founder Gregg Rolie left the band. The Top 10 hit Departure arrived first as a proper studio album, selling three million copies. Journey followed that with Dream, After Dream (a little-heard largely free-form import movie soundtrack) and Captured , a double-platinum Top 10 live sendoff with two new songs.

Then Jonathan Cain supercharged the band's more recent pop-leanings, bringing along a new sensibility (and a song idea for their highest-charting single). Perry was still their honeyed frontman and Neal Schon was still their soaring guitarist – but something fundamental had changed.

READ MORE: Top 10 Post-Steve Perry Journey Songs

The chart-topping Escape proceeded to reel off three Top 10 hits, while moving a career-best 10 million copies in the United States alone. Prior to that, they'd never had a song go higher than the No. 16 finish for 1979's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin.'"

Journey couldn't quite reach those heights again, concluding the decade with 1986's double-platinum Raised on Radio . But they still spun off four more Top 20 hits.

Along the way, they issued a little more than 50 proper songs in the '80s, including B-sides, bonus tracks and stand-alone releases. Here's how they ranked, with comments and insight from my new Amazon best-selling rock and pop band bio, Journey: Worlds Apart :  

No. 52. "Back Talk" From: Frontiers (1983)

This song almost single-handedly kept Frontiers from becoming Journey's best '80s album . That's enough to earn this spot.  

No. 51. "Departure" From: Departure (1980)

Pretty but insubstantial, this brief instrumental was tucked into the middle of co-founding member Gregg Rolie's last proper studio effort with Journey.  

No. 50. "I'm Cryin'" From: Departure (1980)

Steve Perry usually had a canny ability to convey emotion. "I'm Cryin'," however, slipped off into abject mawkishness.  

No. 49. "Positive Touch" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

The demos for this album were completed with a click track rather than in a room together as Journey had typically done in the past. That left drummer Steve Smith to either copy these metronomic sounds – heard to teeth-grating effect on "Positive Touch" – or to stay home. Partway through the sessions, it became the latter.  

No. 48. "Liberty" From: Time3 (1992)

A Frontiers -era leftover for those who wondering what Journey would sound like as a country band.  

No. 47. "Troubled Child" From: Frontiers (1983)

Another Side Two dud. Replace this with "Only the Young" or "Only Solutions," and all is forgiven.

No. 46. "Happy to Give" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Perry had trouble nailing the vocal on this too-atmospheric ballad, which should have told them something. (In fact, it got to the point where Cain started calling "Happy to Give" Perry's "pet song.") It's understandable: "Happy to Give" grew out of a soundtrack idea Cain had, and it sounds like it. Journey never played the song live.  

No. 45. "La Raza Del Sol" From: B-side of "Still They Ride" (1981)

The song's heart is in the right place, as Cain finds inspiration in the plight of immigrant California farm workers. Unfortunately, that narrative is surrounded by a meandering music bed that sounds like a rightly discarded leftover from their pre-Perry days.  

No. 44. "Mother, Father" From: Escape (1981)

An overwrought, understandably disjointed song that was pieced together from two separate ideas by Perry and Schon, then completed with another interlude written by Schon's dad.  

No. 43. "All That Really Matters" From: Time3 (1992)

Jonathan Cain took over the mic for this Frontiers outtake, returning to a sound that's more in keeping with his earlier tenure in the Babys . That's fine, but it's not Journey.  

No. 42. "Homemade Love" From: Departure (1980)

Despite discovering a newfound chart prowess, Journey was still prone to longing looks back to their earliest musical excesses. In keeping, this sludgy, clumsily salacious song couldn't have sounded more out of place on Departure . Positioning "Homemade Love" as the album-closing song made even less sense.  

No. 41. "Dixie Highway" From: Captured (1981)

"Dixie Highway" sounds like what it was: a throwaway track written on Journey's tour bus while traveling the eponymous interstate into Detroit. It was perhaps interesting enough to be tried out live, but not interesting enough to make it onto a studio album.

No. 40. "Keep On Runnin'" From: Escape (1981)

A pedestrian rocker, "Keep on Runnin'" is the only stumble on Side One of Journey's biggest-ever selling album.  

No. 39. "Dead or Alive" From: Escape (1981)

The second of two throwback-style songs on Escape that seek to approximate Journey's more rugged, fusion-leaning '70s-era, and the lesser of the pair. That "Dead or Alive" came directly after the too-similar "Lay It Down" didn't do the song any favors, either.  

No. 38. "Escape" From: Escape (1981)

Cain and Perry are credited as co-composers, but the title track from Escape still feels like the first of what became a series of not-always-successful attempts by Neal Schon to balance Journey's new knack for balladry with ballsier rock songs. That's certainly the role it played in contemporary setlists after he became the band's sole remaining original member.  

No. 37. "Line of Fire" From: Departure (1980)

A perfunctory rocker best remembered for a sound effect at roughly the 2:10 mark that Perry cribbed from Junior Walker's chart-topping 1965 R&B hit "Shotgun ."  

No. 36. "Precious Time" From: Departure (1980)

Rolie adds a gurgling harp squall, but not much else stands out.

No. 35. "Lay It Down" From: Escape (1981)

Steve Smith approximates early drummer Aynsley Dunbar's thudding, heavy-rock approach while Schon swirls into the stratosphere on one of two songs from Escape that could have seamlessly fit into a Rolie-era album.  

No. 34. "Chain Reaction" From: Frontiers (1983)

Schon finds a fusible groove, then joins Perry for a gutty vocal interplay. But "Chain Reaction" ends up getting lost somewhere along the way.  

No. 33. "Once You Love Somebody" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

They tried for a bluesy feel on a song echoing the relationship troubles that both Perry and Cain were then experiencing, but there's simply not enough grit to this.  

No. 32. "Natural Thing" From: B-side of "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981)

Your average classic rock radio-loving fan might not peg Steve Perry as a died-in-the-wool R&B guy who can totally pull off this sometimes very un-Journey style. Tell them to start here.  

No. 31. "Rubicon" From: Frontiers (1983)

This song drove a seemingly permanent wedge in the band. Schon said he was playing "Rubicon" when Perry walked over and turned down his amp . He argued that fans wanted to hear his voice rather than all of those guitars. They put out only two more albums together, and it took them 13 years to do it.

No. 30. "Frontiers" From: Frontiers (1983)

The second-best song on this album's deflating flip side. Singing in a clipped, coolly detached tone, Perry offers a great put-down for heartless generals and politicians: " War is for fools; crisis is cool ."  

No. 29. "It Could Have Been You" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Schon's riffy contributions work in brilliant counterpoint to Perry's poignancy, underscoring why this partnership meshed so easily – and so well.  

No. 28. "Where Were You" From: Departure (1980)

There's a reason Journey opened their concerts with "Where Were You" for so long. It simply crackles with energy. They were just coming off an opening gig with AC/DC at this point, and the headliner's knack for outsized, riffy rockers obviously rubbed off.  

No. 27. "Little Girl" From: B-side of "Open Arms" (1981)

"Little Girl" was the the only proper song from 1980's Dream, After Dream , a soundtrack that's not part of the band's main catalog since it's otherwise filled with incidental music for a now-forgotten foreign film. Elsewhere, the instrumentals provide an untimely restatement of their old penchant for prog and fusion, considering Journey was already on a pop-chart roll. Dream After Dream disappeared without a trace once Journey issued  Escape , and the too-often-overlooked "Little Girl" only saw U.S. release as the B-side to their "Open Arms" single.  

No. 26. "Raised on Radio" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Radio holds a talismanic place in Perry's imagination for two reasons. His absent father owned a station. At the same time, it's a constant presence in the youthful places where he returns, time and time again, for creative sustenance. If things had gone another way, Perry has said he could see himself as a DJ, rather than a huge pop star.  

No. 25. "Ask the Lonely" From: Two of a Kind (1983)

Jonathan Cain once said Perry could write love songs in his sleep , and this only-okay leftover is an example of that assembly line-type approach. Yet, he gives his whole heart to every line. "This is my big theory on Steve Perry: Beyond being a great vocalist, I think the secret and maybe why generations connect with him is he is an empath," former Rolling Stone editor David Wild told me. By the end, "Ask the Lonely" still proves to be a better choice that most of what appeared on the back end of Frontiers .

No. 24. "Why Can't This Night Go on Forever" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Written in tribute to their fans, "Why Can't This Night Go on Forever" moved past its quite overt "Open Arms" / "Faithfully"-style ambitions on the strength of performances by Schon and Perry.

No. 23. "The Eyes of a Woman" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Steve Smith only appeared on three Raised on Radio tracks, but that doesn't mean he didn't have an undeniable impact. His anticipatory rhythm builds this quiet tension on the underrated "The Eyes of a Woman," as Schon's echoing chords surround the vocal. Perry has called this one of his favorite Journey songs, and that might be because "The Eyes of a Woman" is one of the very few here that fully recalls their Escape / Frontiers -era midtempo sound.

No. 22. "Suzanne" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

If Steve Perry sounds a little overwhelmed on the second single from this album, there's a reason for that. This No. 17 hit was written in tribute to an actual crush – framed as a fantasy encounter with a film star who also had a singing career. He never revealed her name.

No. 21. "Edge of the Blade" From: Frontiers (1983)

Side Two of Frontiers gets off to a roaring start. Buckle up, though. As things progress, you're in for a bumpy ride.

No. 20. "Be Good to Yourself" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

A throwback Top 10 rocker, "Be Good to Yourself" had little in common with the sleeker, more adult-contemporary feel found elsewhere on Raised on Radio . It didn't make for the most representative lead single, but manager Herbie Herbert insisted – because "Be Good to Yourself" sounded the most like Journey on their previous two albums.

No. 19. "I'll Be Alright Without You" From: 'Raised on Radio' (1986)

Schon, who earned a co-writing credit with Cain and Perry, told me he tried out a then-new guitar in search of a distinct sound for this song. Best known for using a 1963 Fender Stratocaster, Schon experimented with a graphite Roland 707 to see if he could get a different, more even tone. It worked: "I'll Be Alright Without You" remains Journey's penultimate Top 20 hit, followed by 1996's "When You Love a Woman." Cain, like Perry, was going through a breakup and called this track the other half of the emotions expressed in "Once You Love Somebody."

No. 18. "Only Solutions" From: Tron (1982)

Unjustly forgotten, and barely used in the film at all, the hooky "Only Solutions" would have greatly enlivened what turned out to be a letdown on Side Two of Frontiers .

No. 17. "People and Places" From: Departure (1980)

A circular vocal effect makes the song's larger point, as Perry and Schon share a vocal that examines life's maddening duality.

No. 16. "Faithfully" From: Frontiers (1983)

Journey was in the midst of a two-leg, 132-show tour in support of Escape and Jonathan Cain was feeling disconnected from his then-wife. Cain noticed the moon above their tour bus and, to him, "it looked like the midnight sun." He wrote that down then fell asleep. Upon awaking, Cain said the rest of "Faithfully" came to him in a rush. He wrote it in his own key, and that allowed Perry to explore a different vocal timbre. "'Faithfully' is to die for. I mean, Jonathan Cain's lyrics are amazing, and Steve Perry gave it everything he had," original MTV VJ Martha Quinn told me. "From the opening lines, he's just absolutely dripping with emotion. Every time you put the needle down, you can just feel it." Journey finished the song with a memorable back-and-forth between Perry and Schon, also completely unrehearsed.

No. 15. "Walks Like a Lady" From: Departure (1980)

A great example of the way Journey songs evolved in the studio. Perry brought in a rough sketch, Schon added a blues-inspired riff, then Smith picked up his brushes. All that was left to complete things was Rolie's greasy Hammond B3 groove, and he said it's one of his favorites.

No. 14. "Girl Can't Help It" From: Raised on Radio (1986)

Perry essentially took control of Journey in the run-up to this album, switching out band members for sidemen with whom he'd worked before then serving as the project's de facto producer. That led them to some song treatments that moved well away from anything Journey had done before, or since. "Girl Can't Help It," one of three Top 40 singles from Raised on Radio , was another exception. This was classic Journey, spit-shined up for a new era.

No. 13. "After the Fall" From: Frontiers (1983)

Perry began this song on the bass, perhaps an early indication of the changes in store for Journey. By the time they released 1986's Raised on Radio , Ross Valory had been replaced by Randy Jackson, later of American Idol fame. Smith departed too, but not before proving himself utterly invaluable here.

No. 12. "Good Morning Girl" / "Stay Awhile" From: Departure (1980)

Inextricably linked by their successive appearances on Departure , these two songs showcased Perry's dual gifts: "Good Morning Girl" was a fragile, impossibly beautiful ballad that emerged from a jam session with Schon, while "Stay Awhile" showed off his R&B chops.

No. 11. "Who's Crying Now" From: Escape (1981)

The initial single from Escape , a No. 4 hit, perfectly illustrates how Cain's new presence impacted Perry's writing style, then forever changed Journey. The first inklings of the track came to Perry as he was driving up to San Francisco on Route 99. But "Who's Crying Now" was a song with no real direction until Cain suggested the title. They worked out a cool b-section featuring only voice and keyboard, and their very first co-written composition was completed. "He helped me go to another place as a writer," Perry later gushed in Joel Selvin's Time3 liner notes. Inspired, Perry also fought to keep Schon's extended guitar solo on the single.

No. 10. "Someday Soon" From: Departure (1980)

The final major vocal collaboration featuring Perry and Rolie and, still, one of the more memorable for its thoughtful optimism. There were plenty of reasons for this upbeat outlook, even though "Someday Soon" appeared as Rolie exited. Departure reached the Billboard Top 10, then the band's highest-charting effort ever. Meanwhile, a subsequent, wildly successful tour was chronicled on 1981's Captured . But why weren't there more of these duets? "I didn't want to quit singing, but it got diminished, there's no doubt," Rolie told me. "I don't think Perry really liked me singing. 'I'm the singer.' Well, OK. But my answer to that is, you know, the Beatles did great with four singers. Four, right? Not one."

No. 9. "Open Arms" From: Escape (1981)

Jonathan Cain brought this to Journey after John Waite , the frontman in Cain's former band the Babys, rejected an early version. Schon didn't really want "Open Arms" either, but Perry intervened. He knew just what to do with it. "He was fascinating to write with because he's such a technician. I'd never worked with a vocal perfectionist," Cain told me. "I mean, he would memorize every line as we wrote it, then his voice — he'd put it in the register we wanted and deliver it how we wanted it. Steve rehearsed everything as we wrote it, so then when we got into the studio or rehearsal, he knew where it lived in his range. He was very specific about what words he wanted to say. I was kind of taken with it." That helped turn "Open Arms" a soaring paean to renewal. Oh, and Journey's highest-charting single ever.

No. 8. "Still They Ride" From: Escape (1981)

Cain and Schon earned co-songwriting credits on the lonesome "Still They Ride," and Steve Smith showed off an accomplished dexterity. But this song belonged in no small part to Perry. Its main character, Jesse, never left the town of his youth, and still drives through its darkening streets looking for some connection. Perry has admitted that this dreamer who refuses to give up on his youthful reverie works as a metaphor for himself. If you'd found yourself in mid-century Hanford, California, you might have seen Journey's future singer doing the same thing. Along the way, a touchingly emotional trip back to Perry's San Joaquin Valley youth showed that the seemingly ageless Escape could still produce a Top 20 single, more than a year after its release.

No. 7. "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)" From: Captured (1981)

"After I left," Gregg Rolie told me, "it became more pop rock. It was a little heavier when I was in it." That transformation started with "The Party's Over," a Top 40 studio song tacked onto a live project which marked Rolie's exit. Journey's original keyboardist doesn't even appear on the track. Instead, the session featured Stevie "Keys" Roseman, who was later part of VTR with Ross Valory and George Tickner. He'd been working on a later-shelved project with Tickner, Valory and Schon in the next studio. He still hopes to have the old masters "baked so they can be released in some format," Roseman told me. "Neal played a couple of unbelievable solos that still need to be heard."

No. 6. "Stone in Love" From: Escape (1981)

Schon had a tape recorder going while he fooled around with the guitar during a party at his house in San Rafael. Perry and Cain did the rest. "Stone in Love" subsequently charted in the U.K., but never appeared on the main Cashbox or Billboard charts in America. After the release of "Open Arms" and "Still They Ride," however, it provided a welcome reminder that Journey had not given themselves completely over to balladry.

No. 5. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" From: Frontiers (1983)

Cain and Perry looked on, feeling a little helpless, as Valory and Schon endured painful divorces. "There's got to be a more soulful way of looking at this," Perry countered in the Time3 liner notes. Just like that, the pair had the makings of the Top 10 opening single from Frontiers . "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" so energized Journey that they began performing it onstage before Perry had completely learned the words. Then they filmed a video that sharply divided some fans. "Rock aficionados may have said, 'Oh, that was cornball,'" Martha Quinn told me. "Well, ask people that are still doing send-ups today, down to every last camera angle. Those people love that video. That's something else you couldn't have predicted that would have stood the test of time — but it has. People love it."

No. 4. "Send Her My Love" From: Frontiers (1983)

One of four Top 40 hits found on the album, the lonesome No. 23 anthem "Send Her My Love" is notable for an ambient turn by Schon (he used a high-end Lexicon 480L echo unit) and perhaps the most intriguing drumming contribution on Journey's string of familiar ballads from Steve Smith. A jazz lover who later founded his own combo, Smith added a slyly involving polyrhythm lifted from Miles Davis' "In a Silent Way." "The drummer on that was Tony Williams," Smith told me, "and he played quarter notes with a cross-stick on the snare drum — a very hypnotic groove." Same here.

No. 3. "Only the Young" From: Vision Quest (1985)

Another song that, had it been included, might have pushed Frontiers past Escape as Journey's best Cain-era album. Instead, "Only the Young" appeared much later on this soundtrack, and by then Kenny Sykaluk – a 16-year-old fan suffering from cystic fibrosis – had already died after becoming the first person to hear it . The song is now credited with bringing Journey back together after a period of solo projects. "Only the Young" eventually opened every concert on Journey's subsequent tour, too. Still, it will be forever associated with Sykaluk's brave fight.

No. 2. "Any Way You Want It" From: Departure (1980)

Perry said the vocal and guitar interplay on "Any Way You Want It" was inspired by the performances of Phil Lynott , after Thin Lizzy opened for Journey. So, Perry sang "she loves to laugh," and Schon responded with a riff. Perry sang "she loves to sing," and Schon responded again. Then "she does everything" led into another guitar riff — just like Thin Lizzy might have. Perry and Rolie then brought a tight focus to the bursts of shared vocals that close things out, fashioning Journey's second-ever Top 40 hit – but not before Rodney Dangerfield's character in Caddyshack broke out in a hilariously awkward dance as "Any Way You Want It" blared out of a golf bag radio.

No. 1. "Don't Stop Believin'" From: Escape (1981)

It wasn't the biggest song of the year. In fact, "Don't Stop Believin'" finished at No. 72 on Billboard magazine’s year-ending Hot 100 singles of 1982. It wasn’t even the biggest song from Escape , which spun off not one but two songs that finished higher on the charts. It didn’t have a typical song structure, not referencing the title until 3:22 in, after three verses, two pre-choruses, and some abbreviated instrumental passages. It's set in a place — South Detroit — that doesn’t actually exist. So how did this become Journey's defining moment? "Who wants to keep believing? That would be everybody, you know?" Jonathan Cain told me. "And I think it's a certain song in uncertain times. You have this certainty about that song, and it has this rhythm to it that's just very assuring and very sure of itself. From the beginning piano line, it speaks — and it speaks to hope. I think people are looking for hope."

Rockers Whose Bands Tried to Erase Them

Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso

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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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Anthemic arena rock outfit who achieved huge success in the 1970s and '80s thanks to musical prodigy Neal Schon and smooth tenor Steve Perry.

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• Freedom Tour 2023  ( 40 )
• Freedom Tour 2024  ( 34 )
• Frontiers  ( 112 )
• Generations  ( 6 )
• Hard Rock Casino 2015 Tour  ( 9 )
• Hard Rock Casino 2017 Tour  ( 9 )
• Infinity  ( 130 )
• Las Vegas Residency 2019  ( 13 )
• Las Vegas Residency 2021  ( 6 )
• Next  ( 51 )
• North American Tour 2017  ( 44 )
• North American Tour 2018  ( 61 )
• Pre-Arrival Tour  ( 12 )
• Raised on Radio  ( 73 )
• Revelation  ( 132 )
• San Francisco Fest 2016  ( 53 )
• The Arrival  ( 63 )
• The Summer Stadium Tour 2024  ( 24 )
• Vacation's Over Tour '98  ( 54 )
• Vacation's Over Tour '99  ( 9 )
• Yeah! Tour  ( 29 )
• Avg Setlist
• Concert Map

Songs played by year: 1982

This table lists how often a song was performed by Journey in 1982. Multiple performances from the same setlist are also counted towards the total.

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• 10 Best Journey Songs of All Time

List of the Top 10 Best Journey Songs of All Time

Few bands have defined the sound of classic rock in the way Journey has. Since their formation in the 1970s, this legendary band has captured the hearts of millions with their electrifying melodies, unforgettable choruses, and raw emotional power. From stadium anthems to soul-stirring ballads, Journey’s music has transcended generations, becoming an enduring symbol of rock ‘n’ roll resilience and love. Whether you’re turning up the radio during a road trip or belting out a power ballad at karaoke, Journey’s songs have a way of speaking directly to the heart.

But with such a vast discography, which songs have truly stood the test of time? In this article, we’re counting down the top 10 most popular Journey songs of all time—tracks that have not only dominated the charts but have become permanent fixtures in our collective musical consciousness. Get ready to revisit some of the greatest hits that have fueled romance, inspired hope, and made us all believe in the power of music. From timeless classics to hidden gems, this list is a celebration of the band’s most iconic moments. So grab your headphones, turn up the volume, and let’s take a journey through Journey’s greatest hits!

Table of Contents

1. Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)

Few songs can boast the cultural impact of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Released in 1981 as part of their Escape album, this anthem has become a universal symbol of hope and perseverance. The song’s infectious piano intro, combined with Steve Perry’s soaring vocals, creates a perfect blend of rock and inspiration. Its message—holding on to hope even in the face of adversity—resonated not only in the ’80s but has continued to inspire new generations. Whether it’s playing at the end of a legendary TV series (The Sopranos) or ringing out in sports arenas across the world, Don’t Stop Believin’ is a timeless classic that has cemented its place in rock history.

2. Faithfully (1983)

Faithfully is a powerful ballad from Journey’s Frontiers album, released in 1983. Written by keyboardist Jonathan Cain, the song is a heartfelt ode to the challenges of maintaining love across long distances, particularly from the perspective of a touring musician. The sweeping melody and emotional depth of Steve Perry’s delivery perfectly capture the feeling of longing and devotion. It’s a song that has resonated with anyone who’s ever been apart from someone they love, and its sincerity has made it a wedding staple for decades. With its poignant lyrics and soaring melody, Faithfully is a love letter set to music.

3. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (1983)

Released as the lead single from Frontiers in 1983, Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) is one of Journey’s most energetic and hard-hitting tracks. The song’s intense synthesizer riff, paired with Neal Schon’s aggressive guitar work, delivers a sense of urgency and emotional turmoil. Steve Perry’s vocals are filled with raw passion, telling the story of a love lost, but not forgotten. The song became a massive hit, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remains a concert favorite. Its driving beat and powerful chorus make it a quintessential Journey anthem that never fails to ignite crowds.

4. Any Way You Want It (1980)

Any Way You Want It is pure, unbridled rock energy. Released in 1980 on the Departure album, the song is a high-octane anthem that showcases Journey’s versatility as a band. The song was co-written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon, and its infectious rhythm and electrifying guitar riff make it an instant crowd-pleaser. With its playful lyrics and upbeat tempo, it became a staple of Journey’s live performances and a fan favorite. Any Way You Want It captures the spirit of freedom and fun, making it a perfect soundtrack for parties, road trips, and moments of pure joy.

5. Open Arms (1981)

Open Arms, from the iconic Escape album, is one of Journey’s most successful and beloved ballads. Released in 1981, this heartfelt song about reconciliation and vulnerability became an instant classic. Steve Perry’s soulful vocals, paired with the gentle piano melody, create an atmosphere of emotional intimacy. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since become a romantic staple, frequently used in TV shows, movies, and weddings. Its timeless message of forgiveness and love, combined with its beautiful arrangement, has made Open Arms one of Journey’s most enduring hits.

6. Wheel in the Sky (1978)

Released in 1978 on the Infinity album, Wheel in the Sky was one of the first major hits featuring Steve Perry’s vocals. The song’s haunting melody and driving rhythm tell the story of a weary traveler searching for a sense of direction. Written by Neal Schon, Diane Valory, and Robert Fleischman, Wheel in the Sky features a perfect blend of rock and theatricality, with its soaring chorus and introspective verses. The song became a radio staple during the late ’70s and remains one of Journey’s most iconic tracks, capturing the feeling of longing and the inevitability of change.

7. Lights (1978)

Lights is a love letter to San Francisco, the city where Journey was formed. Released in 1978 on the Infinity album, the song was co-written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon. Its mellow, laid-back vibe contrasts with some of Journey’s more hard-hitting tracks, but its emotional resonance is just as powerful. The lyrics express a deep longing for home, and Perry’s vocals bring a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Though not a massive hit upon its release, Lights has grown in popularity over the years and is now one of Journey’s most beloved songs, often performed at their concerts as a tribute to their hometown.

8. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (1979)

Released in 1979 on the Evolution album, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ is a bluesy, soulful track that reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song tells the story of heartbreak and betrayal, with Steve Perry’s vocals dripping with anguish and frustration. The repetitive “na-na-na” outro has become one of the most recognizable endings in rock music, making it a sing-along favorite at concerts. The song’s raw emotion and catchy melody make it a standout in Journey’s catalog, proving the band’s ability to infuse rock with deep, personal storytelling.

9. Who’s Crying Now (1981)

Who’s Crying Now was released in 1981 as part of the Escape album, and it quickly became one of Journey’s biggest hits. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and features a smooth, mid-tempo groove that contrasts with the band’s harder-rocking tracks. Steve Perry’s emotive vocals tell the tale of a relationship that has reached its breaking point, yet there’s an undeniable sense of resignation and maturity in the lyrics. Neal Schon’s guitar solo in the song’s outro is a masterclass in subtlety and emotion, adding an extra layer of depth to this already powerful track.

10. Send Her My Love (1983)

Released as the fourth single from Frontiers in 1983, Send Her My Love is a haunting ballad about lost love and missed opportunities. Written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song’s lyrics express the pain of separation and the lingering feelings for someone who has moved on. The song’s gentle melody and poignant lyrics struck a chord with fans, and it became a top 40 hit on the Billboard charts. Send Her My Love showcases the band’s softer side while still delivering the emotional punch that Journey is known for, making it a standout track in their discography.

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.

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