Elliot Kim
Don't Stop Believin' is a popular song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1981 and became a top-10 worldwide hit, eventually becoming the group's signature song. The song has been widely used in movies and TV shows and is known for its anthemic qualities. It has been praised for its fluid guitar and vocal and one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock. The song has been covered by the cast of the American comedy-drama Glee and has also been performed in various other shows and movies. With its uplifting message of perseverance and belief, Don't Stop Believin' has left an enduring impact on popular culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Don't Stop Believin' |
| Artist | Journey |
| Genre | Rock |
| Tempo | 118 beats per minute |
| Vocal Range | E4–C#5 |
| Chord Progression | I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV |
| Year of Release | 1981 |
| Peak Chart Position | Top 10 worldwide |
| Cover Versions | Glee cast, Petra Haden |
| Glee Performers | Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz |
| Lyrics | "Just a small town girl, Livin' in a lonely world..." |
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What You'll Learn
Don't Stop Believin' song structure and composition
"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released in October 1981 as the second single from the group's seventh studio album, Escape. The song is a mid-tempo rock anthem and power ballad with an uplifting and anthemic composition.
The song's structure is somewhat unconventional for a pop hit, with the chorus – the titular phrase "Don't stop believin'" – arriving only at the end of the song, around 3 minutes and 20 seconds in. This is preceded by three verses, two pre-choruses, and a guitar solo. The song's writers designated the musically similar sections before the chorus as the "pre-chorus". This structure creates a sense of anticipation and builds tension, making the eventual arrival of the chorus impactful and memorable.
The song is played in the key of E major at a tempo of 118 beats per minute, with a vocal range of E4–C#5. The chord progression, played by the piano in the introduction and continued throughout most of the song, is eight chords long, following a I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV progression. The piano riff, created by Jonathan Cain, is a driving, arpeggiated figure that creates a sense of motion and anticipation, underpinning the entire track.
The song's central theme is one of unwavering optimism, encouraging listeners to hold onto their dreams and aspirations despite life's challenges. It tells the story of ordinary people from different backgrounds, embarking on journeys and seeking connection and a better future. The lyrics evoke a sense of shared human experience and optimism, fostering a sense of community and inspiration.
The song's structure, with its delayed chorus and memorable piano riff, contributes to its enduring popularity and impact, making it a timeless rock classic.
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The song's use in TV and film
"Don't Stop Believin'", by Journey, has become one of the best-known and most enduring songs in popular music. Its widespread use in TV and film has contributed to its iconic status. The song has been praised for its anthemic qualities and has been described as the "perfect rock song".
The song was recorded by the cast of the American TV series Glee in 2009, and this version outperformed the original internationally. It was featured in six episodes of the series, including the pilot, where it was performed by principal cast members, and the season one finale, where it was performed for the glee club's Regionals competition.
The song has also been featured in numerous films and TV shows over the years. Its use in the final episode of The Sopranos in 2007 is one of the most well-known examples. The song's appearance in this iconic scene has been heavily analysed and discussed by fans and critics alike.
"Don't Stop Believin'" has also been featured in the films Monster (2003), The Wrestler (2008), and Pitch Perfect (2012), among others. Its appearance in these films showcases the song's versatility and cultural impact.
The song's enduring popularity and critical acclaim have been recognised officially, with Rolling Stone ranking it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and the Library of Congress selecting it for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry in 2022.
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The song's meaning and message
"Don't Stop Believin'", by the American rock band Journey, is a song with a powerful message of perseverance and hope. The song's writer, Jonathan Cain, drew inspiration from his father's encouraging words during his struggling days as a musician in Los Angeles. Cain's father would urge him, "Don't stop believing or you're done, dude," and this sentiment became the song's title and chorus.
The song's lyrics tell a story of two people from different backgrounds leaving their pasts behind and embarking on a new journey. The narrative involves a "small-town girl" and a "city boy," reflecting Cain's vision of a girl from a small town and a boy raised in the city. They both take the "midnight train goin' anywhere," symbolizing a fresh start and the unknown future that lies ahead.
The song's message is one of fate, hope, and the power of belief. It encourages listeners never to give up, no matter the challenges they face. The theme of perseverance resonates strongly with people, as it serves as a reminder to keep faith and continue striving towards their goals and dreams. The song's anthemic nature has been widely recognized, with Rolling Stone magazine ranking it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Don't Stop Believin'" has become a cultural phenomenon, experiencing enduring popularity decades after its initial release. It has been featured in various television shows and movies, most notably in the American series Glee, where it was performed in several episodes and helped propel the song to international success. The song's message and catchy melody have resonated with audiences worldwide, making it one of the most recognizable and beloved songs in popular culture.
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The song's commercial success and impact
"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released in October 1981 as the second single from the group's seventh studio album, Escape. The song became a commercial success and is known for its widespread use. Initially, the song received poor critical reviews but has since been acknowledged as a staple of classic rock radio and 1980s rock music. The song was ranked among the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2012, it became the best-selling digital track from the twentieth century, with over seven million copies sold in the United States by 2017.
The song's writers have designated the musically similar sections before the chorus as the "pre-chorus". The song is played in the key of E major at a tempo of 118 beats per minute, with a vocal range of E4–C#5. The chord progression is eight chords long, following a I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV progression. The song's structure consists of two pre-choruses and three verses before it arrives at its central hook.
"Don't Stop Believin'" has been widely covered and has had a significant impact on popular culture. The song was performed by the cast of the American comedy-drama Glee in 2009, which outperformed the original internationally. It was also featured in the final episode of "The Sopranos" in 2007, which helped to resurrect the song's popularity. Today, it is commonly heard at sports events and has become a go-to power anthem.
The song's success and endurance can be attributed to its anthemic qualities and widespread use. It has been praised for its "fluid guitar and vocal" and its "powerful rock chorus for maximum airplay." The song's message of perseverance and belief has resonated with many people, and it has become a source of inspiration and motivation. The song's use in television and popular culture has also contributed to its impact and longevity.
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Cover versions of 'Don't Stop Believin'
"Don't Stop Believin'" has been covered by several artists and has also been featured in popular culture. The song was recorded by the cast of the American television series Glee and appeared in six different episodes of the series, with the first being the closing song of the pilot episode in May 2009. The song was performed by several cast members, including Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Kevin McHale, and Jenna Ushkowitz. This version became the first single released from the soundtrack of the series, Glee: The Music, Volume 1, and it outperformed the original internationally.
Petra Haden's version of "Don't Stop Believin'" is also notable, as it was adapted by the Glee cast for their performance in the pilot episode. Clem Snide's Eef Barzelay has also performed a well-received solo acoustic cover of the song, which is available on his Bandcamp page.
The song has also been covered by the enigmatic Mark Oliver Everett (aka "e" of eels), who is a genuine Journey fan. Steve Perry, who no longer performs with Journey, came out of semi-retirement to sing this song with eels, and their live cover is tender and gorgeous.
Other notable covers of "Don't Stop Believin'" include versions by Bruce Springsteen and Lady Gaga. The song has also been featured in the popular TV series The Sopranos and in the movie The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke.
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Frequently asked questions
Journey.
The song is about a small-town girl and a city boy who take the midnight train going anywhere.
"Don't Stop Believin'" became a top-10 worldwide hit in 1981 and has endured over the years. It has been praised for its anthemic qualities and has been included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2012, it became the best-selling digital track from the 20th century, and by 2017, it had sold over seven million copies in the United States.
The song was written by Journey band members Neal Schon, Steve Perry, and Steve Smith, along with Jonathan Cain, who came up with the song's title and hook.
"Don't Stop Believin'" has been featured in various movies and TV shows, including the American television series Glee, where it was performed in whole or in part in six different episodes. It has also been included in the soundtracks of movies such as Everyman's Journey.
