STEVE PERRY - The Songwriter

[donnaplease]

I think "Missing You" is a GREAT song!

[walkslikealady]

Duh, I can't see why I didn't remember this song sooner 'cause it's another favorite of mine. SP is listed as the only writer on "Walks Like A Lady"!

[BlueGin]

I think this song's lyrics are very touching and meant to bring closure to both the giver/receiver of the message (much like a letter with the same sentiment might...yes, I have written them in my lifetime ). Some people find "I'm sorry" very hard to say...sometimes the right words just never come to you in the moment, pride gets in the way or it takes some thoughtful reflection outside the initial emotion of the situation to draw a conclusion. This song represents that and owns up to it...it is beautiful IMO.

[squirt1]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

[SP Fan in Oregon]

The song "Missing You" is 100% about SPs relationship with Sherrie Swafford.

[donnaplease]

The song "Missing You" is 100% about SPs relationship with donnaplease.

There, I fixed it for ya!!!

[SP Fan in Oregon]

The song "Missing You" is 100% about SPs relationship with donnaplease.

There, I fixed it for ya!!!

Jealous girl, don't you know that SP only wrote ONE song about Donna, but wrote many songs about Sherrie.
Who do you think he loved more?

[journeyrock]

The song "Missing You" is 100% about SPs relationship with donnaplease.

There, I fixed it for ya!!!

Jealous girl, don't you know that SP only wrote ONE song about Donna, but wrote many songs about Sherrie.
Who do you think he loved more?

ew ew ew, I know, I know, pick me, pick me!!!!

[Lora]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

"When I Think Of You" off TBF was written for his mom. "What Was" is about Sherrie, but I don't believe "Missing You" is in reference to Sherrie. All great songs. I also love "Melody" because it can be about love for a woman or love for music.

[Rockindeano]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

"When I Think Of You" off TBF was written for his mom. "What Was" is about Sherrie, but I don't believe "Missing You" is in reference to Sherrie. All great songs. I also love "Melody" because it can be about love for a woman or love for music.

When I Think of You will always have a special place in our families heart. I haven't listened to it since that day, Lora. Probably never will again. I know I wouldn't get all the way through it anyway.

[Babyblue]

I love all of his music for many different reasons.I have to say when i think of you just so beautiful.He is such a wonderful songwriter.He has a words and how he puts them together.I hope he puts out new music this year.But if not i will just pull out my old music and listen.

See Stevie you are still very much loved.

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

"When I Think Of You" off TBF was written for his mom. "What Was" is about Sherrie, but I don't believe "Missing You" is in reference to Sherrie. All great songs. I also love "Melody" because it can be about love for a woman or love for music.

I'm only going from the comments that were made on the writing session recording between Tim Miner and SP, that was posted in a thread by Laura here a week or so ago.
I went to see if Laura's YOU SEND IT download was still available and it is expired. However, she might post it again. Both Tim Miner and SP were making comments that the song was being
written about what had happened between he and Sherrie. That is where I concluded that the song was written about the relationship with Sherrie. Seemed pretty certain from what was said on the recording.

All three of the songs you mention above are so wonderful, I love them all.

[BlueGin]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

"When I Think Of You" off TBF was written for his mom. "What Was" is about Sherrie, but I don't believe "Missing You" is in reference to Sherrie. All great songs. I also love "Melody" because it can be about love for a woman or love for music.

I'm only going from the comments that were made on the writing session recording between Tim Miner and SP, that was posted in a thread by Laura here a week or so ago.
I went to see if Laura's YOU SEND IT download was still available and it is expired. However, she might post it again. Both Tim Miner and SP were making comments that the song was being
written about what had happened between he and Sherrie. That is where I concluded that the song was written about the relationship with Sherrie. Seemed pretty certain from what was said on the recording.

All three of the songs you mention above are so wonderful, I love them all.

On one of the Youtube videos where he sings this song on the FTLOSM tour. He opens by saying that Sherrie called him and left a message on his machine,and while he knows they can't be together...he can still "miss" her. So I agree,I think it was written with her in mind.

[Babyblue]

I always thought that some of the songs were written about his mother. I could never tell sometimes if it was a girlfriend or about her.

"When I Think Of You" off TBF was written for his mom. "What Was" is about Sherrie, but I don't believe "Missing You" is in reference to Sherrie. All great songs. I also love "Melody" because it can be about love for a woman or love for music.

I'm only going from the comments that were made on the writing session recording between Tim Miner and SP, that was posted in a thread by Laura here a week or so ago.
I went to see if Laura's YOU SEND IT download was still available and it is expired. However, she might post it again. Both Tim Miner and SP were making comments that the song was being
written about what had happened between he and Sherrie. That is where I concluded that the song was written about the relationship with Sherrie. Seemed pretty certain from what was said on the recording.

All three of the songs you mention above are so wonderful, I love them all.

Not sure about this as it's been a while since i heard it.Need to go back and hear it again.But i would not jump the gun just yet.Lora knows more than we will ever know.

[Lora]

On one of the Youtube videos where he sings this song on the FTLOSM tour. He opens by saying that Sherrie called him and left a message on his machine,and while he knows they can't be together...he can still "miss" her. So I agree,I think it was written with her in mind.

Yup. Sherrie called and left a message on his machine, but that inspired "What Was." That I know for a fact because he played us the demo of that song years before it was released and was talking about it. Not sure about "Missing You" as I haven't listened to the writing sessions.

[Lora]

When I Think of You[/i] will always have a special place in our families heart. I haven't listened to it since that day, Lora. Probably never will again. I know I wouldn't get all the way through it anyway.

Your memories associated with that song are so very sad. It's understandable that you don't listen to it. I am still very honored that you and Lula allowed us to share that day with you. xoxo

[BlueGin]

On one of the Youtube videos where he sings this song on the FTLOSM tour. He opens by saying that Sherrie called him and left a message on his machine,and while he knows they can't be together...he can still "miss" her. So I agree,I think it was written with her in mind.

Yup. Sherrie called and left a message on his machine, but that inspired "What Was." That I know for a fact because he played us the demo of that song years before it was released and was talking about it. Not sure about "Missing You" as I haven't listened to the writing sessions.

That's very cool. "What Was" is another great song,I can't always listen to it though... it tends to make me cry (yes, I'm a sap ).

[SP Fan in Oregon]

On one of the Youtube videos where he sings this song on the FTLOSM tour. He opens by saying that Sherrie called him and left a message on his machine,and while he knows they can't be together...he can still "miss" her. So I agree,I think it was written with her in mind.

Yup. Sherrie called and left a message on his machine, but that inspired "What Was." That I know for a fact because he played us the demo of that song years before it was released and was talking about it. Not sure about "Missing You" as I haven't listened to the writing sessions.

That's very cool. "What Was" is another great song,I can't always listen to it though... it tends to make me cry (yes, I'm a sap ).

It's a very sad song, and reminds me of how unfortunate it is when things just don't work out for people in love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iIYqFKPPo

[annie89509]

Some interesting insight here by everyone . I agree, the best songs were Steve-Neal-Jon as a threesome. Although, Steve wrote some good songs by himself early on:
L-T-S
Sweet & Simple
Walks Like a Lady
The Party's Over ...
If For a Moment, Girl

I believe I read somewhere Steve once said he preferred to collaborate as opposed to writing a whole song by himself.

And no one can dispute that Jon isn't a prolific songwriter, and that the songs became more memorable with more lyrical structure, as soon as he joined the band. But I would argue that (with a few exceptions) most of these post-SP Journey tunes seem cookie-cutter that just meander along with no real purpose.

Higher Place, FITH, TDTWT -- I like a lot. All the other songs ....sounds like they've been recycled. I also like Beyond the Clouds, which I understand is a SA-written song.