Jonathan Cain reacts to Soprano's Finale

[Journeyman2122]

Big Moment for Journey at 'Sopranos' End
By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

57 minutes ago

NEW YORK - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

But even they couldn't believe how it would prove so integral to one of the most memorable final scenes in television history.

"It was better than anything I would have ever hoped for," said Jonathan Cain, Journey keyboard player, who watched at home with his wife and family.

Tony Soprano chose the song after flipping through a jukebox at a New Jersey restaurant where he dined with his family. The song played in the background as ominous characters flitted about and, right as Steve Perry was singing "don't stop," the HBO series did exactly that, for good. The ending infuriated some fans, amused others and intrigued all.

Cain, who wrote the song with Perry and Neal Schon, didn't know how it would be used when they agreed to the licensing. Cain kept the fact that it was going to be in at all a secret, then watched the episode with his family.

"I didn't want to blow it," he told The Associated Press on Monday. "Even my wife didn't know. She looked at me and said, `You knew that and you didn't tell me?'"

Journey released the song in 1981, and it reached No. 9 on the singles chart. It has taken a life of its own since then, often reflecting the attitude people had toward Journey itself. "Don't Stop Believin'" brings back fond memories for many, is unbearably cheesy for others.

It's easy to imagine Tony Soprano, back in the day, taking a young Carmella to a Journey concert.

David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos," has an eclectic musical taste. He's curated two songtrack albums for his series, and made music a key part of the stories, particularly as the ending credits rolled. It's possible "Don't Stop Believin'" was part of the elaborate inside joke he made of the final episode.

It's also possible he found the end of the last verse too hard to resist: "Some will win, some will lose," Perry sings. "Some were born to sing the blues. Oh, the movie never ends. It goes on and on and on and on ... "

"Don't Stop Believin'" has been featured in a several television and movie scenes. It crept onto an iTunes top-10 list when, during the same week, it was on Fox's "Family Guy" and in a romantic scene on MTV's "Laguna Beach."

Sports teams have adopted it, too. After the Chicago White Sox used it in 2005, Perry sang it at the parade to celebrate the team's World Series victory.

Cain, who has a 13-year-old and twins aged 11, said the songwriters are careful about how they license the song, and have resisted several advertising campaigns. They debated its use in the film "Monster" with Charlize Theron but, in the end, "she's too cute to say no to," he said.

He was a little nervous Sunday when, as he watched with his children, the mob boss Phil was shot and viewers heard his head crunched as it was run over by an SUV. But he loved the final scene.

"It was very smart writing," he said. "I always love movies where you don't see the guy whacked. You wonder whether he's going to get whacked."

It could help Journey's visibility, too, as it did for singer Nick Lowe when his song "The Beast in Me" was used over the closing credits for "The Sopranos" very first episode. There had been some speculation that Chase would return to it for the finale.

"A lot more people knew Johnny Cash's version (of `The Beast in Me') and this put Nick's version on the map," said Jake Guralnick, Lowe's American manager. "Nick's version is a lot more vulnerable."

Cain said it indicated that a wish he and Perry had _ that their songs would have a long life _ was coming true.

"It puts our feet in the cement," he said. "We're a staple in the American music culture. Like us or not, we're here to stay."

from http://www.comcast.net/entertainment/in ... 86918.html

[larryfromnextdoor]

very interesting!

[Perry86fan]

That was cool

[Granny]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[Lula]

NEW YORK - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

Ummmm, okay Jon. That's a pretty picture. I wonder if they chanted "goodie goodie gumdrops" .

[larryfromnextdoor]

NEW YORK - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

Ummmm, okay Jon. That's a pretty picture. I wonder if they chanted "goodie goodie gumdrops" .

que the printing press for the Greatest Hits ..

[Playitloudforme]

Way to cement that song to history!

[Crazie Scarab]

Perry had to sign off on it as well. I wonder what the price was?

[Granny]

NEW YORK - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

Ummmm, okay Jon. That's a pretty picture. I wonder if they chanted "goodie goodie gumdrops" .

you know what Jon is, Lula...! thats a statement not a question...

[Sassie]

I don't know what the price was but the pay off was great!!! I am happy that their dream is coming true. It's a great song and deserves all this recognition!

[Ms_M]

I think he's right - whether some people (certainly no one here!) like it or not - Journey is here to stay. I think it is great exposure for them to have been included in that episode.

[Rockindeano]

Well goodie goodie for Jon fucking Cain.

What a motherfucker.

[Saint John]

Well goodie goodie for Jon fucking Cain.

What a motherfucker.

You seemed surprised. I warned you long ago.

[Crazie Scarab]

Well goodie goodie for Jon fucking Cain.

What a motherfucker.

Makes you wonder.. don't it? I mean.. the Sopranos? Must have been some big $$$ flashed in front of someone.

Hey. Whatever.

[Moon Beam]

NEW YORK - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

Ummmm, okay Jon. That's a pretty picture. I wonder if they chanted "goodie goodie gumdrops" .

I don't know why Lady Lu but if I were to picture any one of the guys
jumping up and down, it would be Jon.

[Red13JoePa]

"Don't Stop Believin'" brings back fond memories for many, is unbearably cheesy for others.

*Sigh* another gutless wonder in the print media without the bag to leave out the "cheesy" cheapshot to appease his colleagues who've been trying to affix that label for decades now.

Just admit it's a good song.

[brywool]

Cool. Never seen the Sopranos.
NBC News just signed of with DSB though. Cool!

[Crazie Scarab]

Cool. Never seen the Sopranos.
NBC News just signed of with DSB though. Cool!

Get's the old stuff replayed, I guess. If there's a strategy behind all this for any new stuff, I can't figure it out?

Cash is cash. Might as well get what you can while you can, eh?

[Rick]

"Don't Stop Believin'" brings back fond memories for many, is unbearably cheesy for others.

*Sigh* another gutless wonder in the print media without the bag to leave out the "cheesy" cheapshot to appease his colleagues who've been trying to affix that label for decades now.

Just admit it's a good song.

It sure is a good song. That piano hook is amazing. I'll tip my hat to JC forever for just that one hook. However, it has been so overplayed, and I've heard it so many times that I will skip by it on the CD. Other than that, it's got some of the best chops they've ever laid.

[FormerJrnyFan]

It sure is a good song. That piano hook is amazing. I'll tip my hat to JC forever for just that one hook. However, it has been so overplayed, and I've heard it so many times that I will skip by it on the CD...

Gotta agree Rick, and I skip over it too ('cept when Jeff's singing lol), but I did enjoy hearing it on the show. Lots of hype on that series finale, glad Journey was a part of it!

[Red13JoePa]

Probably the most memorable bass piece Ross Valory has composed

[aggieangelcrys]

thanks for sharing!

[lights1961]

wow an actual journey topic!! **some will win some will lose**... I do love that line!!

Rick

[Red13JoePa]

wow an actual journey topic!! **some will win some will lose**... I do love that line!!

Rick

Yep, and the author, after his cheap shot goes to some length to admit the greatness of Perry/Cain's lyrics on that song.

[nikki]

wow an actual journey topic!! **some will win some will lose**... I do love that line!!

Rick

Yep, and the author, after his cheap shot goes to some length to admit the greatness of Perry/Cain's lyrics on that song.

I noticed that too, Red. I hate music snobs.

[Red13JoePa]

Yea, come on dude.

It's like a healthnut Doritos snob going, "Blech I HATE these things they're AWFUL for you" between big mouthfuls of a Super Size Doritos bag he's mowing through.

[stevew2]

Way to go Friga. AR you got to add this news to your song