Journey Don't Stop Believin' a timeless ballad

Journey and their song Don’t Stop Believin’ seems as popular – or more popular - than its original release in 1981 on the Escape album. Don’t Stop Believin’ seems so popular I don’t even think of it as a Classic Rock number.

I got reintroduced to the tune a couple of years ago when Don’t Stop Believin’ was played during the 7^th inning at Dodger Stadium.

The lyrics showed on the scoreboard and for the first time, it struck me that a story really was taking place. I’ve been watching Journey singing it on YouTube for the past several months.

A friend said he heard the Journey song at a wedding recently where the bride and groom were in their late 20s to early30s. I heard it again at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes baseball game. It probably has airplay at minor league baseball stadiums around the country.

Here’s what I like about Don’t Stop Believin’ – it has strength in the arrangement; call it a passionate rock ballad. There’s a story taking place that’s timeless and universal. It appeals to the American ethic of pursuing dreams while recognizing life has pain as well.

“Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world

She took the midnight train going anywhere

Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit

He took the midnight train going anywhere”

The Website Songfacts has an excellent in-depth article about this Journey ballad:

“this track has a unique structure, which helps it stick in your mind. Where most songs have a chorus that's repeated several times, "Don't Stop Believin'" brings in its chorus only at the end. The structure goes: instrumental, first verse, instrumental, second verse, first pre-chorus, instrumental, third verse, second pre-chorus, instrumental, and then finally the chorus until fade-out.”

Songfacts also highlights how often the song has been used on video games and television programs like the Family Guy.

Downloads are available on Amazon. One reviewer said he believes it will be considered one of the greatest songs of the 20^th century. I also believe the song appeals to rockers and soft rockers.

Don’t Stop Believin’ should also inspire songwriters to create tunes that are timeless and speak to the human condition. This is a positive contribution Journey made to American culture.