Every year thousands if not millions of songs are written, and it’s very rare for one to become even a local hit, let alone a national or international hit. And more often than not, when this happens, the song stays around for maybe five minutes before it’s relegated to the ashes of obscurity. However, those precious few gems remain generation after generation to stir our passions. One such song is ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,” released on Journey’s 1981 album “Escape.”
And while the song never quite made it to the #1 spot on the Billboard charts, nevertheless, it’s permeated into pop culture over the years, winning new fans in every succeeding generation. The song has been featured on shows like American Idol, Glee, and even in a Broadway musical called “Rock of Ages.” And, of course, it’s a must-have song for any respectable karaoke night.
In his memoir, titled “Don’t Stop Believin’: The Man, the Band and the Song That Inspired Generations,” Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist for Journey, recounted the story of the song’s origin.
It all started during the 1970s. Cain was an aspiring musician who left his hometown of Chicago to travel to Los Angeles. Like millions of youths, he had big dreams of landing his big break.
But when things didn’t work out as planned, the young man phoned home seeking help from his date. The call would turn out to change his life and eventually the course of music history.
Cain left his old band, “The Babys,” to join Journey in 1980, replacing Gregg Rolie on keyboards.
During a songwriting brainstorming session for “Escape,” with guitarist Neal Schon and lead singer Steve Perry, Cain started flipping through his old notebook.
While the song didn’t exactly light the world on fire, it proved to be a very long burning tune, igniting the passions of thousands if not millions of people year after year.
Watch this special video featuring Journey performing “Don’t Stop Believin'” and marvel at the legendary Steve Perry’s goosebump-raising vocals.
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