Does a live version of "A Better Life" Exist?

[JRNYMAN]

Just curious if it was ever performed or maybe used during a sound check that got recorded. Deen really delivers a soulful performance on that one and I'd love to hear it live.

[Majestic]

Just curious if it was ever performed or maybe used during a sound check that got recorded. Deen really delivers a soulful performance on that one and I'd love to hear it live.

I love that song! Deen and Neal are great on it. It doesn't seem like the kind of song that would translate well live, but they should have released it to AC radio because it might have been a hit.

[JRNYMAN]

Just curious if it was ever performed or maybe used during a sound check that got recorded. Deen really delivers a soulful performance on that one and I'd love to hear it live.

I love that song! Deen and Neal are great on it. It doesn't seem like the kind of song that would translate well live, but they should have released it to AC radio because it might have been a hit.

It's definitely got several different hooks: the tune is catchy, Deen's voice is so soulful and "soothing" as my wife says, and the story is very "Jack & Diane/Tommy & Gina-esque". I agree it would have done well in the AC world.
"A Better Life" and "Knowing That You Love Me" are my fav's from Generations. And while the latter would have NEVER been pulled-off live for obvious reasons, I think the former, had it gotten some airplay would have been well received by the crowds. Then again, we're also talking about a tour which featured a 3 hour show so the addition of one more song wasn't going to happen regardless.
I got to hang with Deen for a few hours before the Tucson show which was - at the time - supposed to be the 3rd to the last show of the tour, and he was soooooooooooooooooooo ready to be done with that tour - and who could blame him?!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Very Perry-esque delivery on that one from Deen. Neal's guitar is also haunting. Great moody, melodic tune. Only weak spot are Cain's insipid banal lyrics ("...she shows him rainbows every time he sees her smile"? Really, dude?). Generations is so close to being a solid Journey album, but is weighed down by alot of crap.

[JRNYMAN]

Very Perry-esque delivery on that one from Deen. Neal's guitar is also haunting. Great moody, melodic tune. Only weak spot are Cain's insipid banal lyrics ("...she shows him rainbows every time he sees her smile"? Really, dude?). Generations is so close to being a solid Journey album, but is weighed down by alot of crap.

Truer words may have never been spoken my friend....
And in contrast to that line, there's a fantastic statement that completely draws you into the song's story and makes you visualize the challenges the song's subject couple is dealing with,

They were married as high school sweethearts
Never dreamed it'd be like this
Finding nothing for them comes easy

Trying hard just to make a living
Seems life won't give them a break

There's another one that's just as strong and vivid but that one hits home with me and I can relate to it personally.

And I definitely agree with Neal's delivery on that one - very haunting and mood-setting. The way he slides back and forth between minor and major chords creates a sort of path on which the imagination follows along - if that even makes sense without being the gayest words I've ever typed!

[Gideon]

Cain isn't a superb singer by any stretch but "Every Generation" is one of the best written songs in Journey's history. Great message, great lyrics.

[JRNYMAN]

Cain isn't a superb singer by any stretch but "Every Generation" is one of the best written songs in Journey's history. Great message, great lyrics.

Oh yeah, I agree there were some killer songs on Generations but there were a few pigs as well - but that's the nature of just about any album, right. Not every album can be a "Dark Side of the Moon" "High Infidelity" "Escape" "Operation Mindcrime" "2112"
Yeah, that one was his baby. He knew he was writing it for him to sing and was going to be his one and only solo vocal Journey song so he made it all his own - and truthfully, I can relate to it completely. Now, as far as being one of "the best written songs in Journey's history" we'll agree to disagree. When I think of Journey songs that fit that mold I think Mother Father, Why Can't This Night, Patiently, and a few others. Every Generation doesn't even come close to standing with those kinds of songs.

[scarab]

The two Deen songs on generations are my favorites with A better life being my favorite.
Generations was 1/4 great 1/4 good 1/2 bad and Journeys worst album.

Knowing that you love me is their worst power ballad...dont even get me started on butterfly.

[Gideon]

Cain isn't a superb singer by any stretch but "Every Generation" is one of the best written songs in Journey's history. Great message, great lyrics.

Oh yeah, I agree there were some killer songs on Generations but there were a few pigs as well - but that's the nature of just about any album, right. Not every album can be a "Dark Side of the Moon" "High Infidelity" "Escape" "Operation Mindcrime" "2112"
Yeah, that one was his baby. He knew he was writing it for him to sing and was going to be his one and only solo vocal Journey song so he made it all his own - and truthfully, I can relate to it completely. Now, as far as being one of "the best written songs in Journey's history" we'll agree to disagree. When I think of Journey songs that fit that mold I think Mother Father, Why Can't This Night, Patiently, and a few others. Every Generation doesn't even come close to standing with those kinds of songs.

See, I think it's just the opposite. I think the lyrics in "Every Generation" shred "Patiently." "Mother, Father" and WCTNGOF actually have a cogent message (a shattered family, an ideal night between two struggling lovers), but Every Generation is deeper, better written, and much more original.

Now is it a better song? Not necessarily. But writing wise, it's in a whole 'nother league.

[JRNYMAN]

Cain isn't a superb singer by any stretch but "Every Generation" is one of the best written songs in Journey's history. Great message, great lyrics.

Oh yeah, I agree there were some killer songs on Generations but there were a few pigs as well - but that's the nature of just about any album, right. Not every album can be a "Dark Side of the Moon" "High Infidelity" "Escape" "Operation Mindcrime" "2112"
Yeah, that one was his baby. He knew he was writing it for him to sing and was going to be his one and only solo vocal Journey song so he made it all his own - and truthfully, I can relate to it completely. Now, as far as being one of "the best written songs in Journey's history" we'll agree to disagree. When I think of Journey songs that fit that mold I think Mother Father, Why Can't This Night, Patiently, and a few others. Every Generation doesn't even come close to standing with those kinds of songs.

See, I think it's just the opposite. I think the lyrics in "Every Generation" shred "Patiently." "Mother, Father" and WCTNGOF actually have a cogent message (a shattered family, an ideal night between two struggling lovers), but Every Generation is deeper, better written, and much more original.

Now is it a better song? Not necessarily. But writing wise, it's in a whole 'nother league.

And ya know what's strange about Cain's writing abilities is he's all but single-handedly shaped the course of Journey's lyrical catalog since '81 - most of which has been arguably decent stuff. But, when it comes to his solo work, the few songs which do have lyrics are fairly pedestrian and are almost an after-thought. His instrumental stuff, however..... Woof!! He definitely has a gift for creating melody lines that take the listener on a journey (completely not intended...) .

Knowing that you love me is their worst power ballad...dont even get me started on butterfly.

From a musician's standpoint, "Knowing..." is pretty close to a masterpiece. And from a singer's perspective, it's a very difficult song to sing. It's really a pretty complex good song - that might have been better recorded by Van Morrison or maybe even Elvis Costello. It most def was not Journey-type material but I gotta hand it to Stevie, he really didn't want to record it and Jon had second thoughts after hearing Stevie's first attempts at it, but he did a Helluva job. Their worst power ballad..??? IMHO it's not really a power ballad more of a hymn or a spiritual-sort-of thing.
Butterfly isn't my least fav from that album but it's toeing the line.

[Gideon]

He definitely has a gift for creating melody lines that take the listener on a journey (completely not intended...)

[The_Noble_Cause]

and was going to be his one and only solo vocal Journey song so he made it all his own.

What about "All That Really Matters" and "Pride of the Mamily"? The Rolie/Perry duets were part of the early signature sound. Hardcore fans always wanted Jon and Steve A. to do something similar. "Generations" should really only feature Steve, Deen, and Jon on vox.

[The_Noble_Cause]

It most def was not Journey-type material but I gotta hand it to Stevie, he really didn't want to record it and Jon had second thoughts after hearing Stevie's first attempts at it, but he did a Helluva job.

Where'd ya learn all this? I think KTYLM gets too much shit. Killer vocal by SA. Maybe it's too BoyzIIMen-ish, but it's really no more offensive than "With Your Love" or any other nuJourney wannabe power ballad.

[JRNYMAN]

and was going to be his one and only solo vocal Journey song so he made it all his own.

What about "All That Really Matters" and "Pride of the Mamily"? The Rolie/Perry duets were part of the early signature sound. Hardcore fans always wanted Jon and Steve A. to do something similar. "Generations" should really only feature Steve, Deen, and Jon on vox.

DOH! Forgot about those! I agree with Jon/Stevie duet. The closest we got was the Generations tour rehash of Feelin' That Way/Anytime.

[JRNYMAN]

It most def was not Journey-type material but I gotta hand it to Stevie, he really didn't want to record it and Jon had second thoughts after hearing Stevie's first attempts at it, but he did a Helluva job.

Where'd ya learn all this?

First, let me qualify what I wrote by saying I was paraphrasing so don't quote me but the context is accurate. To answer your question, I can't remember if it was the Generations EPK or if it was one of the many interviews the guys did separately and individually right after Generations dropped. Jon went on to pay high kudos to Stevie for going ahead with the song which Jon knew was going to be a bear to sing and for doing as good of a job on it as he did. Personally, I like the song. It's not the most lyrically incredible piece they've ever done but I like the vox especially the part leading up to the break at 4:07 where Stevie hits perhaps the highest note during his time with the band and the 4 part harmony on "You lift me up....." immediately topped with Stevie's vox. He really put a lot of himself into that one and I appreciate the song more for that than anything else. Just one more reason why the most often used word to describe Steve A. was/is "class".

[Gideon]

This begs the question: does the band still record 4 or 5 part harmonies or is it now just "insert-lead-singer's-name-here" and Deen?

[Ehwmatt]

This begs the question: does the band still record 4 or 5 part harmonies or is it now just "insert-lead-singer's-name-here" and Deen?

Interesting question. But don't forget, a lot of the post-Rolie songs' harmonies were originally multiple Perry layers anyway.

[Gideon]

This begs the question: does the band still record 4 or 5 part harmonies or is it now just "insert-lead-singer's-name-here" and Deen?

Interesting question. But don't forget, a lot of the post-Rolie songs' harmonies were originally multiple Perry layers anyway.

True.

But I thought I heard Jon and Neal in KTYLM. Then again, I could be hallucinating.

[yulog]

The two Deen songs on generations are my favorites with A better life being my favorite.
Generations was 1/4 great 1/4 good 1/2 bad and Journeys worst album.

Knowing that you love me is their worst power ballad...dont even get me started on butterfly.

Eclipse easily earns this honor

[The_Noble_Cause]

Eclipse easily earns this honor

Please. Every tune on Eclipse is another solid product from the well-oiled Cain/Schon songwriting machine. Same with Revelation. Generations has alot of crap. "Butterfly" and "Believe", in particular, are right up there with "Back Talk" as the worst songs in Journey history.