Top 10 Journey Breakup Songs

Considering what number of breakup songs Journey has recorded over time, one would suppose it will be no large deal for co-founder Neal Schon to maneuver on after a collection of squabbles with Jonathan Cain.

Contractual obligations in all probability make issues way more advanced behind the scenes, so the arguments (and billable hours for the legal professionals) proceed to pile up. But if issues ever ended with a break up, Journey has already created an acceptable soundtrack specializing in love gone fallacious. “We sang a lot of songs for the broken-hearted,” Cain as soon as instructed this author. “We have a soft spot for the broken hearts.”

The means Journey approached every state of affairs was distinctive and infrequently supplied pearls of lyrical knowledge that had been easy and relatable. For occasion, “Ask the Lonely” recommended: “When you’re feeling love’s unfair, you just ask the lonely. When you’re lost in deep despair, you just ask the lonely.” For the rejected, there may be energy to be present in numbers.

Their love songs additionally are inclined to take surprising turns. “You know, [Steve] Perry never hardly got the girl at all, in the songs,” Cain identified. “Even ‘When You Love a Woman,’ we don’t let him get the girl. She’s waiting somewhere out there.”

Our record of the 10 greatest Journey breakup songs counts down the numerous other ways their focus of affection left — and by no means got here again.

10. “Where Did I Lose Your Love”
From: Revelation (2008)

“Where Did I Lose Your Love” is without doubt one of the greatest tracks from the Arnel Pineda period of Journey. The stately musical presentation surrounds an equally assured vocal from Pineda. Fans who had lengthy hoped for Journey to show up the rock acquired a superb chunk of their want with the Revelation album. “Where Did I Lose Your Love” proves that breakup songs may have a lot of guitar.

9. “Still She Cries”
From: Trial by Fire (1996)

Schon’s stark and delicate guitar work units the stage completely within the intro for “Still She Cries.” The sigh on the finish of Perry’s opening line solely enhances the sentiments of lament that grasp within the air as the remainder of the tune spools out. Trial by Fire, as a complete, deserved extra consideration – and “Still She Cries” is only one of its undiscovered gems.

8. “Once You Love Somebody”
From: Raised on Radio (1986)

“Once You Love Somebody” paints an earnest image of two star-crossed lovers who’re decided to make it work. They maintain a shared perception that they’ve the fail-safe romantic glue to maintain it collectively. But because the lyrics define, love may have a jagged final result: (*10*)

7. “It Could Have Been You”
From: Raised on Radio (1986)

“It Could Have Been You” affords a pointy kiss-off to a promising love that now lies lifeless. Enough with the tears, already, is the clear message: “There’s someone else for you to hold again, so please stop your crying.” Still, even within the means of transferring on, the narrator cannot resist just a few ultimate jabs by asking in the event that they do not forget that one night time and what might need been.

6. “I’m Cryin'”
From: Departure (1980)

The strolling rhythm of Steve Smith’s drumming on “I’m Cryin’,” set in opposition to Gregg Rolie’s majestic organ, offers the right mattress for Perry to unleash certainly one of his most soulful and mournful wailing vocals. Schon matches the vocal anguish with line after line of impassioned riffing. Even because the final notes fade out, Perry’s angst and ache stay seemingly unresolved.

5. “Ask the Lonely”
From: Two of a Kind: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1983)

Led by a robust synth line from Cain, “Ask the Lonely” options an equally fervent vocal from Perry. It’s top-of-the-line Journey songs to ever get left on the reducing room flooring. Excised from the ultimate observe itemizing of 1983’s Frontiers, this energetic rocker shortly discovered a house (and finally, substantial radio airplay) on the soundtrack for the film Two of a Kind, launched that very same 12 months.

4. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
From: Frontiers (1983)

Cain discovered inspiration for the enduring synthesizer intro in music he was listening to on the time by Thomas Dolby and Howard Jones. Meanwhile, Ross Valory’s pending divorce offered substance for the storyline of “Separate Ways.” Set in opposition to an epic musical soundscape, the connection appears to be irretrievably damaged, however the protagonist clearly nonetheless holds hope that there is perhaps one other likelihood sometime.

3. “Who’s Crying Now”
From: Escape (1981)

The equation inside the refrain of “Who’s Crying Now” spells it out: “One love feeds the fire, one heart burns desire – I wonder who’s crying now.” Perry and Cain work together, a simple piano line coloring every word of the verse. Even as more substantial instrumentation comes in for the choruses, they bring it back to that same dynamic for the subsequent verses, enhancing the emotional punch.

2. “After the Fall”
From: Frontiers (1983)

Quite possibly the most underrated song in the Journey catalog, “After the Fall” boasts a masterful vocal delivery from Perry — witness that note he holds for nearly 10 seconds at the climax — with Schon’s guitar solo bleeding out for the final minute that follows. “After the Fall” bottles every ounce of regret, what could have been and what should have been done.

1. “I’ll Be Alright Without You”
From: Raised on Radio (1986)

“I’ll Be Alright Without You” features some of Schon’s most beautiful and understated playing on record, underpinned with a smooth bass line from bassist Randy Jackson. Even as Journey were fracturing internally as a unit, their lyrical craft remained strong. Of note is the line that builds and shifts at the end of each chorus, finally conceding: “Oh, love’s an empty place – I can nonetheless see your face.”