Header illustration courtesy of Ava O’Connor.
When most folks think of Journey, naturally, they’re going to think hits: “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Anyway You Want It”, “Faithfully“. And because of that, when I say I’m a Journey fan, people either don’t believe me (ironic) or assume I’m a surface level listener (Emma Kennedy, a surface level listener of any rock band? Impossible). So, to prove everyone wrong, I curated a list of my top five Journey gems that stand out in terms of craft, lyrics, and sound, despite the fact that they hide behind their impressively large greatest hits collection.
“Walks Like a Lady“
Departure (1980)
I’ve always had an appreciation for the upbeat, jazzy rhythm of “pre-Escape” Journey. This tune, off of their record “Departure,” is a delightful breather. If you want to divert from the slap-happy, lovey-dovey nature of Journey hits, their work from the 70s and early 80s is a great place to turn to. With an old school organ sound and Steve Perry’s hushed, crooner-esque vocals, it takes on a different tone compared to the commercialized pop tunes we’re used to. Neal Schon, an incredibly underrated guitarist that arguably deserves his own article on the subject, makes his instrument wail low on the blues scale in this one, taking a break from his usual screaming solos in their other hits.
“Escape“
Escape (1981)
The title track of Journey’s smash hit 1981 album is a rock opera, and, for lack of a better word, a hero’s journey. Over the summer, while I was interning at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I heard this tune live at their show alongside Def Leppard and Cheap Trick at Progressive Field. First off, the setlist was catered towards the loyal Journey fan, so I was pleased to hear a few gems like this one. “Escape” has a showtune-y structure: long strings of instrumental build up, choir-like vocals, dazzling piano. To top it off, the whole thing sounds like a fantastical rock and roll musical number, which, to some, is the reason they can’t stand the band, but this tune is energetic enough that it might just sway you.
“The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love)“
Captured (1981)
I could make a separate list of Journey songs that yearn. Schon opens up this bad boy with an absolutely ripping, melodic guitar intro that intertwines with Greg Rolie’s emotional keyboard riffs. According to “Record World” magazine, “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love)” is a “shining testimony to the band’s commanding stage presence.” Commanding is the perfect term for this heartbroken tune. Perry cries out towards a nameless lover, channeling the inner frustration that arises when you’re deeply in love with someone who feels the opposite. And to finish off this beauty, you’ll be screaming the lyrics in classic Journey-outro fashion. Concluding Perry’s tale of woe, he cries, “the party’s over, I have gone away.” A declaration that it’s time to move on. Character development!
“Edge of the Blade“
Frontiers (1983)
If I could include every non-single off of “Frontiers,” I would. I chose “Edge of the Blade” because it brings all the drama that makes Journey so appealing in the first place, but without mass kitschiness. Jonathan Cain’s subtle synth lines in the second verse add a flavor that I could only compare to a 1980s sci-fi movie theme song. Schon’s guitar gives us a simple but effective main riff, and carries us through the finish line with a heavier solo to compliment Perry’s intense and rage-injected vocals. It’s one of those songs you can listen to in your headphones on your morning walk in an attempt to make your travels feel a little more grandiose, on the same level as “The Final Countdown” or “Eye of the Tiger” (but five times better).
“I’ll Be Alright Without You“
Raised on Radio (1986)
The delightfully whiny cry of Perry’s voice is prominent in this one. A real late-80s style ballad with soft drums and yacht-rockish keys, this is an underrated anthem for those getting over a breakup and looking for a more empowering song to cry to, rather than your typical sad ballad. I’ve always appreciated the nuance in Journey’s songs, because they rarely stick to one particular angle in their lyrics if you listen closely. For example, “I’ll Be Alright Without You” insists that there’s no need for this lover anymore, but the pre-chorus adds clever background echoes of “it’s all because of you,” “try not to think of you,” and other whispers of reluctance and temptation…a fight between the head and the heart.
If you didn’t like any of these picks, then fine, I’ll let you go. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop preaching the good word of Journey. There are a myriad of bands like Journey with overplayed arena rock hits that overshadow hidden gems, and I’m determined to uncover these bands for the greater good and expose the casual listener to all they’re missing out on. With that, I encourage you to go take that deep dive and tackle some new musical “Frontiers.”
