A slightly different Poll here about SP2009

[Saint John]

Suggesting that a pop song as well-crafted as DSB wouldn't have done ANYTHING without SP's voice is probably not right.

I should have phrased that a bit better. I meant as far as being, perhaps, the most recognizable song of all-time.

[Ehwmatt]

Suggesting that a pop song as well-crafted as DSB wouldn't have done ANYTHING without SP's voice is probably not right.

I should have phrased that a bit better. I meant as far as being, perhaps, the most recognizable song of all-time.

No harm no foul man. I wasn't even really addressing you. More the people who want to constantly diminish the others' contributions.

Perfect example of what I'm talking about: Listen to Bruce Hornsby sing "End of the Innocence" vs Don Henley. Obviously, Henley's voice helped make the song a hit, but Hornsby's version still shows off a perfectly written song.

[Jana]

Perry-Schon-Cain together are one of the greatest songwriting teams ever. You take just one of them away or even leave them on their own and the results are inferior. Most great songwriting teams are the same way. In fact, the only two songwriters I can think of that wrote equally well solo as together is Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.

And for what it's worth, generally, a great song is a great song. Suggesting that a pop song as well-crafted as DSB wouldn't have done ANYTHING without SP's voice is probably not right.

So so so true. They were magic together in their songwriting and melding Cain's piano, Neal's guitar and Perry's amazing voice into unforgettable songs and performances. Some people on here don't seem to appreciate Cain's contribution to this band songwritingwise. It was huge. And Steve without Neal's influence, well, listen to Street Talk and FTLOSM. Nice music, absolutely great and beautiful in places, but for the most part nowhere near the calibur or brilliance of songs with Journey.
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[Gideon]

More the people who want to constantly diminish the others' contributions.

Cain gets the short end of that stick more than anyone; maximize Perry's contributions, neglect Cain's. I think it's stupid, since most critics agree that it was Cain's arrival that helped launch them to "superstardom." It's incontrovertible that he was a major factor for their success.

Not up for debate.

[EightyRock]

More the people who want to constantly diminish the others' contributions.

Cain gets the short end of that stick more than anyone; maximize Perry's contributions, neglect Cain's. I think it's stupid, since most critics agree that it was Cain's arrival that helped launch them to "superstardom." It's incontrovertible that he was a major factor for their success.

Not up for debate.

Cain's arrival coupled with his partnership w/ Perry....and Schon. It was the three of them together that created the magic combo. If that were not true, then where are the DSB's of today? Oh, that's right, there aren't any!

[Saint John]

More the people who want to constantly diminish the others' contributions.

Cain gets the short end of that stick more than anyone; maximize Perry's contributions, neglect Cain's. I think it's stupid, since most critics agree that it was Cain's arrival that helped launch them to "superstardom." It's incontrovertible that he was a major factor for their success.

Not up for debate.

Cain's arrival coupled with his partnership w/ Perry....and Schon. It was the three of them together that created the magic combo. If that were not true, then where are the DSB's of today? Oh, that's right, there aren't any!

I agree with the first part wholeheartedly. I have long maintained that Perry, Schon and Cain are the greatest writing/melody team of all-time.

The second part is just diarrhea. Times have changed and so has the musical landscape. DSB wouldn't have a chance if it were released in today's music climate, rather than 28 years ago.

[Gideon]

More the people who want to constantly diminish the others' contributions.

Cain gets the short end of that stick more than anyone; maximize Perry's contributions, neglect Cain's. I think it's stupid, since most critics agree that it was Cain's arrival that helped launch them to "superstardom." It's incontrovertible that he was a major factor for their success.

Not up for debate.

Cain's arrival coupled with his partnership w/ Perry....and Schon. It was the three of them together that created the magic combo. If that were not true, then where are the DSB's of today? Oh, that's right, there aren't any!

See, this is where people get confused. I'm not crediting Cain with the entirety of their success. However, comparing the pre-Cain albums to post-Cain albums, everyone (like it or not) will say that the post-Cain records sold more. A lot more. What was there that wasn't there before? Well, there was Perry and there was Neal. Hell, there was even Gregg Rolie, though he offered nothing in terms of writing. Ergo, logic dictates that Cain's presence was an extreme benefit for Journey. Was it due to his partnership with the rest of the writers? Of course. But he was the main songwriter in the band.