Top 8 Journey Songs of the '80s

[tater1977]

Top 8 Journey Songs of the '80s

By Steve Peake, About.com Guide

http://80music.about.com/od/artistsfj/t ... ysongs.htm


Over the course of only three 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.


1. "Any Way You Want It"


Despite the recent use of this tune in annoying TV advertising, this full-tilt rocker 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?


2. "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, I lost my 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.



3. "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 scorching opener, 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 they were doing.


4. "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 Steve Perry's vocal showcase to Neal 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.


5. "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.



6. "Faithfully"



Of Journey's two blockbuster slow-dance power ballads, I've always preferred this one for its proper appropriation of Neal Schon's nimble lead guitar work into the winning formula. That's not to say that "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 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.




7. "Girl Can't Help It"


Despite the odd move of ditching drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross 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 reason it struck such a chord is, 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.


8. "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 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 thoroughly engrossing vocal performance from Mr. Perry.

[scarab]

my list would be:

1. Mother Father - I never tire of this classic
2. Separate Ways - My favorite Journey (hit)
3. Edge of the Blade - Journey showing they can rock
4. Stone in Love - Schon owns this
5. Faithfully - many steps above Open Arms
6. Still they Ride - underated ballad.
7. People and places - love the harmonies and Perrys over the top vocals.
8. Little Girl - a throwback to ealier Journey
9. Be good to yourself - Journey feel good song that is 1 of the two "Journey sounding" songs on ROR
10. Escape - Love it when journey used to sing about peoples lives.

DSB would have been high in this list 10 years ago. It has been played to death.

honarable mentions -
Stay Awhile, Dixie Highway, Hopelssly in Love, Troubled Child, Ask the Lonely, Why cant this night...

[jrny84]

My top 11:

1. Only the Young: Great soaring vocals from Perry and a really unique guitar part with great lyrics.
2. Ill Be Alright Without You: Strong chorus, great bluesy style and sound, good breakup song
3. Girl Cant Help It (Live): For me this song live is unbelievable with Perry's vocals, especially on the chorus.
4. Ask the Lonely: One of the most underrated Journey songs, should have been a top 10 hit.
5. When You Love a Woman: My personal favorite ballad, really mature lyrics, great guitar parts and vocals.
6. Separate Ways: My favorite harder edged Journey tune.
7. Faithfully: Hands down my favorite over Open Arms. Simple lyrics, but great vocals and meaning.
8. Lights: Perry in his finest vocally, love the guitar parts, classic Journey.
9. Be Good to Yourself: Nice feel good song and the most Journey sounding song on ROR.
10. Send Her My Love: Great lyrics, haunting Perry vocals, unique sound.
11. If He Should Break Your Heart: One of my favorites off the TBF album and very underrated.

Honarable mention: WCTNGOF, DSB (overplayed to much), WCN, AWYWI.

[jrnyman28]

Love the write up on After The Fall (a fave of mine) which includes all subsequent vocalists.

Also notice no Open Arms on the list!

[Arielle]

Anyway You Want It, Stone In Love, And Separate Ways have always been my personal favorites.
Don't Stop Believing has been over-played way too much these days though...

[portland]

I too love After The Fall and If He Should Break Your Heart.


I need to listen to TBF again...I have not listened to it in awhile.

[Gideon]

11. If He Should Break Your Heart: One of my favorites off the TBF album and very underrated.

Not 80s. :p

Though this is my favorite song ever.

[portland]

My top 11:

1. Only the Young: Great soaring vocals from Perry and a really unique guitar part with great lyrics.
2. Ill Be Alright Without You: Strong chorus, great bluesy style and sound, good breakup song
3. Girl Cant Help It (Live): For me this song live is unbelievable with Perry's vocals, especially on the chorus.
4. Ask the Lonely: One of the most underrated Journey songs, should have been a top 10 hit.
5. When You Love a Woman: My personal favorite ballad, really mature lyrics, great guitar parts and vocals.
6. Separate Ways: My favorite harder edged Journey tune.
7. Faithfully: Hands down my favorite over Open Arms. Simple lyrics, but great vocals and meaning.
8. Lights: Perry in his finest vocally, love the guitar parts, classic Journey.
9. Be Good to Yourself: Nice feel good song and the most Journey sounding song on ROR.
10. Send Her My Love: Great lyrics, haunting Perry vocals, unique sound.
11. If He Should Break Your Heart: One of my favorites off the TBF album and very underrated.

Honarable mention: WCTNGOF, DSB (overplayed to much), WCN, AWYWI.

I like this list...and agree that DSB is now overplayed.

[MysteryMountain]

I'll list my favorites from the 80s:

Someday Soon
People & Places
Precious Time
Where Were You
Stay Awhile
Escape
Still They Ride
Stone In Love
Mother, Father
Chain Reaction

HM:
Homemade Love
Good Morning Girl
After The Fall
Rubicon
Liberty (?)
Be Good To Yourself