What can one say about a rock band that has produced over a dozen hit songs, many of which are still featured in television commercials, TV shows, films, literature, sports, and video games. Over three decades they have achieved extraordinary album and cd sales, even a Diamond Platinum status, which is over 10,000 units sold.
With their enormous success it is only fitting to have a best Journey songs guide. Now I will reveal to you what I feel are the Top 10 Journey songs. Many may not agree with the particular order, but I think most will be of the same opinion with the songs I’ve chosen.
10.) Be Good to Yourself (1986) – One of the reasons I have this song on my list is it hasn’t been played to death on the radio. I like its pulsating beat, but can’t get enough of Steve Perry’s beautiful tenor voice. Incidentally, Randy Jackson, of the American Idol fame & judge since Season 1, is featured on bass and backing vocals.
9.) When You Love a Woman (1996) – It’s very bittersweet, because this is the last vocal performance of Steve Perry. As always he delivers a beautifully soulful ballad. There are some great harmonies, plus the guitar solo is incredible.
8.) Who’s Cryin’ Now (1981) – Written by Steve Perry this is a very mellow and soulful song with piano, along with a bass riff and acoustic guitar. Perry does a brilliant job vocally.
7.) Wheel in the Sky (1978) – I like its very country rock feel to it. You almost imagine it being somewhere in the desert out west. The lyrics are very visual.
6.) Separate Ways (1983) – There are a lot of strong drums in it that I like. This is one of their more driven and faster tempo songs. I’m not sure if it’s this music video or another one on this song list, but I couldn’t watch it. To say it was bad would be an understatement. Clearly, and very thankfully, Journey doesn’t need to depend on music videos for cd sales. Their music and vocals have gotten them much further.
5.) Any Way You Want It (1980) – This song you hear frequently on TV commercials. I love its bold harmonic opening with: “Any way you want it, that’s the way you need it, any way you want it, then you hear the guitar riffs. There is a definite high energetic drive all the way throughout the song. They play it all the time on my local classic rock radio station.
4.) Faithfully (1983) – Exquisite lyrics describing life on the road for the band. My favorite lyric is: “They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family.” It’s one of those lyrics you never forget. However, the music video for this song broke new ground for subsequent music videos. You feel like you are a part of their entourage when you watch it.
3.) Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (1979) – You gotta love the closing with its infectious “na, na,…na, na, na….na, na, na, …….it seems to go on and on then it abruptly ends. What a very suggestive song lyrically and it’s sexy too.
2.) Open Arms (1982) – To me this is the most vocally challenging song Steve Perry has ever done. It kind of reminds me as if he’s singing an operatic aria, rock style.
1.) Lights (1978) – What an emotional and descriptive song that is dedicated to their hometown, San Francisco. I have a sentimental attachment to it as well. Where I currently reside it’s also a “city by the bay”. Our local radio stations play it all the time, because they love the opening lyric: “and the sun shines on the bay. At any rate, I love hearing this passionate song.
As you can see I banned from my list “Don’t Stop Believing”. It’s not a song I want to hear over and over ad infinitum on the radio and now television, thanks to the TV commercial for the FOX series “Glee Club”. To me it’s not one of those songs that I simply want to hear again and again. Besides, it sounds too much like bubble gum pop.
Irregardless, these songs probably have brought back memories for you. I still enjoy hearing them on the radio at home or work, and driving in my car. They can be purchased or downloaded at Amazon.com or the iTunes Store.
As you can see these Top 10 Journey songs have stood the test of time. They are as good today as when they were released decades ago. That truly speaks volumes.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_(band)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Hits_(Journey_album)
