More Than a Feeling: The 20 Greatest AOR Tracks of All Time!

[Chubby321]

I saw this at AP's site, posted by mod Erik.I think you guys might be interested. It's a long read so I just posted the top three.

Full text of the article Rockbackpages.
http://www.rocksbackpages.com/article.h ... leID=14680

1: 'Don't Stop Believin'' – Journey

Let's be honest. There's a strong case to be made for giving over the entire Top 20 to Journey. No one has come close to artistic and commercial achievements of the ultimate AOR dream team: Steve Perry on vocals, Neal Schon on guitar and Jonathan Cain on keyboards. And there's one Journey song that reflects the sublime talents of the trio in perfect balance more than any other: and that is 'Don't Stop Believin'', the timeless anthem that this year became the most downloaded song in history. The opening keyboard riff....the rapid, intricate lead guitar pattern coming in over the top...and then the voice of Steve Perry: "Just a small town girl/ Livin' in a lonely world,/ She took the midnight train/ Going anywhere..." Has there ever been a better introduction to a rock song? Not remotely – but the British music press were always unkind about the band, and especially about the insanely talented Perry. One critic even compared his voice to the sound of a baby seal being clubbed to death. But in America his genius was largely understood; in particular his ability to reach extraordinary high notes whilst maintaining the depth and soul in his voice. And it was this ability which brought such a transcendent power to this song about two homeless street kids not giving up hope – and which has made 'Don't Stop Believin'' such a universally inspiring rallying call to this day. A true masterpiece.

2: 'More Than A Feeling' – Boston

The mythology surrounding this record is almost as appealing as the song itself: the reclusive and obsessive whizzkid and multi-instrumentalist who spent five years holed up in a studio creating the perfect rock song for FM radio and when it was released it changed American rock music forever. All true of course, and despite the occasional claim that Aerosmith's 1973 single 'Dream On' was the first AOR hit, anyone with sense knows that Tom Scholz of Boston is the Godfather of AOR. 'More Than A Feeling' also makes a mockery of the notion that music loses its soul if its over-produced, that somehow the slap-dash and inexpensive records of the punk era are more authentic than the lavish, fussed over efforts of the stadium rock bands. 'More Than A Feeling' has it all: a gentle melodic vocal by the late Brad Delp which builds and builds until it soars up to the highest end of the scale, an all-time classic central riff and a twin guitar solo to round it off. And no AOR act has ever been able to top it. Except one...

3: 'Keep On Lovin' You' – REO Speedwagon

1981 was a high watermark for AOR. Escape by Journey, 4 by Foreigner and High Infidelity by REO Speedwagon; never before had America seen such block-busting melodic rock released all in one year. Amazing now to think that the deeply feeble Styx were once considered the equals of these bands but even they shifted millions of units in 1981. The song that made the most impact in the UK and which seemed to evoke the AOR boom across the Atlantic most powerfully was 'Keep On Lovin' You'. While the grandiosity and sheer euphoria of the melody and production couldn't be misunderstood, few people detected the bitter edge to the lyrics about staying loyal to a treacherous woman: "You played dead/ But you never bled/ Instead you lay still in the grass/ All coiled up and hissin'..." For this the song gets additional points, since it marries the two key themes of AOR: dogged perseverance against all the odds plus grovelling servitude to a partner who's just not that into you.

The rest of the songs.

20: 'Is This Love?' – Whitesnake
19: 'Only You Can Rock Me' – UFO
18: 'Don't Want To Wait Anymore' – The Tubes
17: 'Innocent Days' – Giant
16: 'Home By The Sea' – Genesis
15: 'The Boys Of Summer' – Don Henley
14) 'I Need You Tonight' – ZZ Top
13: 'Stone Cold' – Rainbow
12: 'Broken Wings' – Mr Mister
11: 'Dreams' – Van Halen
10: 'Oceans' – Survivor
9: 'Hard Habit To Break' – Chicago
8: 'These Dreams' – Heart
7: 'Hold The Line' – Toto
6: 'Missing You' – John Waite
5: 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart' – Yes
4: 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' – Foreigner

[RocknRoll]

Let's be honest. There's a strong case to be made for giving over the entire Top 20 to Journey.

I really like this part. LIke most here I am sick to death of DSB but but still love Journey music from all eras.

[Saint John]

I have always thought that DSB was Journey's best song. Not my favorite, but their best. It's just perfect in every fucking way.

[steveo777]

I have always thought that DSB was Journey's best song. Not my favorite, but their best. It's just perfect in every fucking way.

Amen!
Frankly, Journey could occupy a few more slots in that to 20 Id be ok with it.

[WykkedSensation]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

[journeygirl]

I have always thought that DSB was Journey's best song. Not my favorite, but their best. It's just perfect in every fucking way.

Amen!
Frankly, Journey could occupy a few more slots in that to 20 Id be ok with it.

Yeah, Journey could have been in there more.

[RPM]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

I second that

Ray

[Rockindeano]

Jesus Christ people. EVERYTHING cannot be Journey 24/7. You think they are God's gift to melodicrock. Listen to Reckless. Journey has never made a rock song as food as Run to You or Summer of 69. Journey has pop songs out the ass to be sure, but rock songs they are lacking. And seriously. "Missing You" by Jon Waite? You cannot be serious?

[Rockindeano]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

[steveo777]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Back when I was a zit farming adolescent I had BTR on a 45. Now it's in my iPod. Now that's some technology span that song has survived.

[Rockindeano]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Back when I was a zit farming adolescent I had BTR on a 45. Now it's in my iPod. Now that's some technology span that song has survived.

Bruce is America's Shakespeare. BTR may yet be America's theme song. And it's soooo much better live.

[*Laura]

Jesus Christ people. EVERYTHING cannot be Journey 24/7. You think they are God's gift to melodicrock. Listen to Reckless.

While I think that DSB is rightfully the crown of that 20 list, I agree with the above. There are some incredibly great bands out there that are just as good as Journey.
I guess sometimes we're just biased, because we're hardcore J fans. Well, maybe that's the reason why I am going to say that Bryan should have been on that list too, with one of his songs from Reckless. That album was what Escape was for Journey.

Look at this...Run To You...One man with one guitar. But of course, it takes a perfect song to do this.

[Matthew]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Hey Deano - I was the one who wrote this Top 20 article - and I'd say Born to Run wouldn't even make the Top 100 - purely because it isn't an AOR track, as I understand the term anyway. The only Springsteen tracks which could just about fit the list would be the singles off the Tunnel of Love album.

And Laura - I agree that Run To You definitely is an AOR track - and there's a strong case for it to be included. But in the end I didn't love it quite as much as the ones I picked....and also I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

[steveo777]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Hey Deano - I was the one who wrote this Top 20 article - and I'd say Born to Run wouldn't even make the Top 100 - purely because it isn't an AOR track, as I understand the term anyway. The only Springsteen tracks which could just about fit the list would be the singles off the Tunnel of Love album.

And Laura - I agree that Run To You definitely is an AOR track - and there's a strong case for it to be included. But in the end I didn't love it quite as much as the ones I picked....and also I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

Oh...opinions....opinions....opinions....onions....onions....onions

[Rockindeano]

Hey Deano - I was the one who wrote this Top 20 article - and I'd say Born to Run wouldn't even make the Top 100 - purely because it isn't an AOR track, as I understand the term anyway. The only Springsteen tracks which could just about fit the list would be the singles off the Tunnel of Love album.

And Laura - I agree that Run To You definitely is an AOR track - and there's a strong case for it to be included. But in the end I didn't love it quite as much as the ones I picked....and also I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

Fair enough. I understand this, but during the 80's when Escape and Reckless both reigned, I would hasten to say Reckless was much more a rock album than was Escape. Heaven was a much more ballsy ballad than WCN or OA! And I understand you say BA is more a pop star than rocker, but my point is Journey is a pop band and not a rock band. I think the majority of reviewers would agree with me.

And continuing with BA- he may be a pop star, but the fact that Run to You, Summer of 69 and One Night Love Affair were all solid rock tracks...you are supposed to be grading the tracks, NOT the artist right? Those three songs are all better than any rocker from Escape, easily.

PPS- I also think you are very incorrect on your Springsteen thoughts. He has many more sing alongs than does Journey. I would call those melodic rock songs too.

[*Laura]

I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

I disagree, Matthew. Bryan was always AOR. There are so many songs to prove it. The guy was one of the biggest acts of the golden AOR era, just as Journey was. In fact, Bryan was Journey's apprentice, he really learned his AOR from the best. So if Journey can come up with a song like DSB and then drop an "Open Arms" in the mix and still remain rock stars, why can't Bryan have "Summer of 69" and "Everything I Do" in his repertoire without the risk of being categorized a "pop" act for the latter? Bryan is a rock star, even if he chooses to unplug his guitar.

I like most of your choices for the article, but where's Bad Company's "Wishing Well" or "Feel Like Makin' Love"? Or Free's "All Right Now"?
I give you a B just because Bryan is not on the list. Sue me.

[Ehwmatt]

Hey Deano - I was the one who wrote this Top 20 article - and I'd say Born to Run wouldn't even make the Top 100 - purely because it isn't an AOR track, as I understand the term anyway. The only Springsteen tracks which could just about fit the list would be the singles off the Tunnel of Love album.

And Laura - I agree that Run To You definitely is an AOR track - and there's a strong case for it to be included. But in the end I didn't love it quite as much as the ones I picked....and also I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

Fair enough. I understand this, but during the 80's when Escape and Reckless both reigned, I would hasten to say Reckless was much more a rock album than was Escape. Heaven was a much more ballsy ballad than WCN or OA! And I understand you say BA is more a pop star than rocker, but my point is Journey is a pop band and not a rock band. I think the majority of reviewers would agree with me.

And continuing with BA- he may be a pop star, but the fact that Run to You, Summer of 69 and One Night Love Affair were all solid rock tracks...you are supposed to be grading the tracks, NOT the artist right? Those three songs are all better than any rocker from Escape, easily.

PPS- I also think you are very incorrect on your Springsteen thoughts. He has many more sing alongs than does Journey. I would call those melodic rock songs too.

I really like Bryan, but I'll take the title track from Escape and Stone In Love over any of those three BA songs. Somebody is better than all of those imo. And this is coming from a guy who thinks Escape gets a little too much credit in the Journey canon... some real clunkers on there. Not a big fan of DoA, KoR, Lay It Down, and Open Arms at all...

[Ehwmatt]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Hey Deano - I was the one who wrote this Top 20 article - and I'd say Born to Run wouldn't even make the Top 100 - purely because it isn't an AOR track, as I understand the term anyway. The only Springsteen tracks which could just about fit the list would be the singles off the Tunnel of Love album.

And Laura - I agree that Run To You definitely is an AOR track - and there's a strong case for it to be included. But in the end I didn't love it quite as much as the ones I picked....and also I think Bryan Adams is ultimately more of a pop star than a serious rock star. Do you know what I mean?

You've got some interesting, somewhat obscure choices on your list, like Survivor's excellent track, Oceans, which will only ratchet up the controversy for why big, well-known song X isn't included. I liked the list though.

And you just can't argue with DSB - every last fucking person in the world knows it and knows its by Journey. And More Than A Feeling birthed a revolutionary band and was the launch single for an album that to this day still gets all 8 of its tracks regularly played on syndicated classic rock radio. That's huge.

[WykkedSensation]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

[Rockindeano]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

Yeah you're correct asshole...That's why he just finished up a tour in your shithole continent playing to more folks than every other band combined. Brush your teeth, shower, and bathe for once, and oh yeah, Go fuck your yourself.

And you're a fucking liar if you say MTAF is played more than BTR. A complete balls faced liar.

[WykkedSensation]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

Yeah you're correct asshole...That's why he just finished up a tour in your shithole continent playing to more folks than every other band combined. Brush your teeth, shower, and bathe for once, and oh yeah, Go fuck your yourself.

And you're a fucking liar if you say MTAF is played more than BTR. A complete balls faced liar.

Good to see you back on form.
Call me anything you fuckin like big man. I can take it, i'm a fuckin brit
Listen and listen carefully. MTAF is played regularly in the UK, Born to run aint..End of.
Now i am gonna go brush my teeth for once, have a shower for once, and bath for once, and then finally i am gonna go fuck my myself

[Rockindeano]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

Yeah you're correct asshole...That's why he just finished up a tour in your shithole continent playing to more folks than every other band combined. Brush your teeth, shower, and bathe for once, and oh yeah, Go fuck your yourself.

And you're a fucking liar if you say MTAF is played more than BTR. A complete balls faced liar.

Good to see you back on form.
Call me anything you fuckin like big man. I can take it, i'm a fuckin brit
Listen and listen carefully. MTAF is played regularly in the UK, Born to run aint..End of.
Now i am gonna go brush my teeth for once, have a shower for once, and bath for once, and then finally i am gonna go fuck my myself

I find it awfully hard to believe Springsteen is NOT the biggest artist in the UK. He just toured stadiums, packed to the rim, while Boston did what? Journey did what?

Bruce is the biggest star in the world, like it or not. The facts speak for themselves.

[steveo777]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

Yeah you're correct asshole...That's why he just finished up a tour in your shithole continent playing to more folks than every other band combined. Brush your teeth, shower, and bathe for once, and oh yeah, Go fuck your yourself.

And you're a fucking liar if you say MTAF is played more than BTR. A complete balls faced liar.

Good to see you back on form.
Call me anything you fuckin like big man. I can take it, i'm a fuckin brit
Listen and listen carefully. MTAF is played regularly in the UK, Born to run aint..End of.
Now i am gonna go brush my teeth for once, have a shower for once, and bath for once, and then finally i am gonna go fuck my myself

I find it awfully hard to believe Springsteen is NOT the biggest artist in the UK. He just toured stadiums, packed to the rim, while Boston did what? Journey did what?

Bruce is the biggest star in the world, like it or not. The facts speak for themselves.

We get it fanboi!

[Rockindeano]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

'Born To Run'?? You are fuckin kiddin me.
Fuck knows what gets played in the States my friend, but that song aint NEVER played in the UK, whereas MTAF is played almost every day. In fact Springsteen in general aint played here too much, which suits me just fine.

Yeah you're correct asshole...That's why he just finished up a tour in your shithole continent playing to more folks than every other band combined. Brush your teeth, shower, and bathe for once, and oh yeah, Go fuck your yourself.

And you're a fucking liar if you say MTAF is played more than BTR. A complete balls faced liar.

Good to see you back on form.
Call me anything you fuckin like big man. I can take it, i'm a fuckin brit
Listen and listen carefully. MTAF is played regularly in the UK, Born to run aint..End of.
Now i am gonna go brush my teeth for once, have a shower for once, and bath for once, and then finally i am gonna go fuck my myself

I find it awfully hard to believe Springsteen is NOT the biggest artist in the UK. He just toured stadiums, packed to the rim, while Boston did what? Journey did what?

Bruce is the biggest star in the world, like it or not. The facts speak for themselves.

We get it fanboi!

I NEVER throw Bruce down your throats..you shallow fucks couldn't swallow real lyrics anyway.

My point was he rules every band in the land. No band is as good as the Legendary E Street Band, no one.

[Matthew]

Fair enough. I understand this, but during the 80's when Escape and Reckless both reigned, I would hasten to say Reckless was much more a rock album than was Escape. Heaven was a much more ballsy ballad than WCN or OA!

I disagree Deano. Neal's performance throughout "Escape" takes the album much further toward the hard rock/heavy metal end of the spectrum than Bryan Adams ever could - or did.

As for the ballads..."Open Arms" is the only pop song on the album and yes, "Heaven" is ballsy in comparison. But Neal's solo on "Who's Crying Now" alone makes that track a serious classic rock song. And "Mother, Father" is a world away from the housewife vibe of most of Adams' other ballads.

And I understand you say BA is more a pop star than rocker, but my point is Journey is a pop band and not a rock band. I think the majority of reviewers would agree with me.

No - even the most vitriolic reviewers dismiss Journey as 'corporate rock' rather than 'pop'.

And continuing with BA- he may be a pop star, but the fact that Run to You, Summer of 69 and One Night Love Affair were all solid rock tracks...you are supposed to be grading the tracks, NOT the artist right? Those three songs are all better than any rocker from Escape, easily.

Deano - I'm sorry - but I don't actually believe you think "One Night Love affair" is better than "Don't Stop Believin'". That's just too off-key...

PPS- I also think you are very incorrect on your Springsteen thoughts. He has many more sing alongs than does Journey. I would call those melodic rock songs too.

Sure - Springsteen's music has melody...you can sing along to songs...and his music sounds bombastic at stadium-sized venues. But despite all this Springsteen isn't an AOR act - at least in terms of the definition I was using. I guess the best criteria for AOR is: does it sound like a softer or wimpier version of hard rock or heavy metal? In Springsteen's case...no, not remotely. He comes from an entirely different tradition.

[Matthew]

I like most of your choices for the article, but where's Bad Company's "Wishing Well" or "Feel Like Makin' Love"? Or Free's "All Right Now"?
I give you a B just because Bryan is not on the list. Sue me.

Laura - yes, I thought about "Feels Like Makin' Love" but I guess in the end it's a straightforward example of Classic Rock. Not a huge difference between Classic Rock and AOR I'll admit - but all those Free and Bad Company records came before Boston's first album which at the time and still today sounds like a ground-breaking and genre-defining record.

Maybe it was the slickness Boston had which made them sound unlike anyone who came before but I think they were the band who set the AOR template - so I discounted any act that came before. Including Aerosmith and their "Dream On" track...which some people argue was the very first AOR song...

By the way...the writ is in the post. B? Unbelievable...

[*Laura]

I like most of your choices for the article, but where's Bad Company's "Wishing Well" or "Feel Like Makin' Love"? Or Free's "All Right Now"?
I give you a B just because Bryan is not on the list. Sue me.

Laura - yes, I thought about "Feels Like Makin' Love" but I guess in the end its a straightforward example of Classic Rock. Not a huge difference between Classic Rock and AOR I'll admit - but all those Free and Bad Company records came before Boston's first album which at the time and still today sounds like a ground-breaking and genre-defining record.

Maybe it was the slickness Boston had which made them sound unlike anyone who came before but I think they were the band who set the AOR template - so I discounted any act that came before. Including Aerosmith and their "Dream On" track...which some people argue was the very first AOR song...

By the way...the writ is in the post. B? Unbelievable...

Yes, there's quite a thin line between AOR and Classic Rock and people don't sit to analyze that too much.
You know, deciding who wrote the very first AOR song is like knowing exactly which monkey jumped from the tree first and began walking like a (hu)man...lol.

One thing I know about "More Than A Feeling" - it sure was the very first AOR song that sold 17 million copies of Boston's first album. Still the best selling AOR album to this day. I understand why you discounted everyone before them.

[portland]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Back when I was a zit farming adolescent I had BTR on a 45. Now it's in my iPod. Now that's some technology span that song has survived.

Bruce is America's Shakespeare. BTR may yet be America's theme song. And it's soooo much better live.

I would say that BTR and Thunder Road are two of the best songs I have ever heard

[steveo777]

Truly Great songs occupy that list.
Love DSB, its the best Journey song ever written, and i agree that Journey could occupy the bulk of that list, but i firmly believe that Boston's 'More than a feeling' is THE greatest song ever written and performed by ANY band. It has everything and then some.

Born to Run BLOWS More Than a Feeling away.

Look at staying power and relevance. BTR is still being played daily, both on radio and live. The other is a hit and miss.

Back when I was a zit farming adolescent I had BTR on a 45. Now it's in my iPod. Now that's some technology span that song has survived.

Bruce is America's Shakespeare. BTR may yet be America's theme song. And it's soooo much better live.

I would say that BTR and Thunder Road are two of the best songs I have ever heard

So it's not all about Steve Perry for you?!?!?! And to think I had you certified as a platinum loon.............

[Eric]

Fair enough. I understand this, but during the 80's when Escape and Reckless both reigned, I would hasten to say Reckless was much more a rock album than was Escape. Heaven was a much more ballsy ballad than WCN or OA! And I understand you say BA is more a pop star than rocker, but my point is Journey is a pop band and not a rock band. I think the majority of reviewers would agree with me.

HOOOOOH! Guess you haven't listened to Stone in Love, Keep on Runnin' or Mother, Father since Schon stopped letting you toss his salad.