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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, enduring as the group's signature song. The song has been praised for its anthemic qualities and was ranked among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2022, it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry due to its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The song has been covered by various artists, most notably by the cast of the TV series Glee, whose version debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009 and outsold the original internationally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Don't Stop Believin' |
| Artist | Journey |
| Genre | Rock |
| Tempo | 118 beats per minute |
| Key | E major |
| Vocal Range | E4–C#5 |
| Chord Progression | I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV |
| Chorus Placement | At the end of the song |
| Cover Versions | Glee cast, Petra Haden |
| Peak Chart Position | No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
| Certifications | Platinum by RIAA |
| Year Released | 1981 |
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What You'll Learn
'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by the American rock band Journey. The song was released in 1981 and is one of the band's most popular and enduring hits. The song has become a staple of Journey's live performances and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
The song begins with a distinctive piano intro, followed by lead singer Steve Perry's powerful vocals. The lyrics tell a story of hope and perseverance, encouraging the listener to "don't stop believing" even in the face of adversity. The song's message of optimism and determination has resonated with fans around the world and has become an anthem for those facing challenges or pursuing their dreams.
The song's memorable melody and anthemic chorus have made it a popular choice for movies, television shows, and advertisements. It has also been used in sports arenas and other public events to energize and inspire audiences. Despite its age, "Don't Stop Believin'" remains a beloved and relevant song that continues to inspire and entertain fans of all ages.
The song has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has been referenced and featured in various media. It has been covered by numerous artists, including a well-known version by the cast of the popular TV series Glee. The song's enduring popularity and cultural significance have solidified its place as one of the most iconic and beloved rock anthems of all time.
Overall, "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and uplift listeners with its powerful message of hope and perseverance. The song's combination of catchy melodies, emotional vocals, and uplifting lyrics have made it a staple of popular music and a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll.
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Glee cast cover
"Don't Stop Believin'", originally by the American rock band Journey, was covered by the cast of the musical television series Glee in 2009. The song was featured in the pilot episode of the show and became the first single released from the soundtrack of the series, Glee: The Music, Volume 1. It was performed by principal cast members Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson), Lea Michele (Rachel Berry), Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel), Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones), Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams), and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang). This version of the song became the largest-selling Glee song of all time, with over 1,422,000 digital downloads in the US. It debuted and peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the UK Singles Chart, outperforming the original internationally.
The song was performed in whole or in part in six different episodes of the series, ranging from the first episode to the second-last episode. It was also performed live on tour between 2010 and 2011 and was included in Glee: The 3D Concert Movie. The song has become an anthem for the show and was voted the second-best Glee song of all time by TV Line readers in July 2011.
The Glee cast's cover of "Don't Stop Believin'" is a faithful rendition of the original, with some minor changes to the arrangement and vocals. The song is known for its anthemic qualities, and the Glee cast's version showcases the talented vocals of the cast members. The song begins with Finn and Rachel singing the iconic opening lines: "Just a small-town girl/Livin' in a lonely world/She took the midnight train goin' anywhere." This is followed by a back-and-forth between the two characters, with Finn singing about a "city boy" and Rachel responding with lines about "a smell of wine and cheap perfume."
The song then builds to the powerful chorus, with the New Directions singing together: "Don't stop believin'/Hold on to that feeling/Streetlight people/Oh, oh, oh, oh." The cast's harmonies and energetic performance add a new dimension to the song, making it a memorable and beloved version. The performance also includes a reference to West Side Story, with the characters throwing their hands in the air, adding a theatrical touch to the number.
Overall, the Glee cast's cover of "Don't Stop Believin'" is a successful and popular rendition of the classic Journey song. It showcases the talent of the cast, captures the anthemic spirit of the original, and has become a lasting favourite among fans of the show.
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Songwriting and recording
"Don't Stop Believin'", by the band Journey, was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. The song was written and recorded following the departure of the band's original keyboardist, Gregg Rolie, in 1980. To prepare for writing their next album, 'Escape' (1981), Journey rented a warehouse in Oakland, California, where they worked daily to develop new ideas. The song's title and hook were conceived by Jonathan Cain, inspired by something his father used to tell him when he was a struggling musician: "Don't stop believing or you're done, dude." Cain joined the band as the new keyboardist, replacing Rolie.
Guitarist Neal Schon created the song's distinctive bass line, and vocalist Steve Perry suggested that Cain write a driving synthesizer piece to complement it. Drummer Steve Smith added a standard rock backbeat, and Schon played 16th-note arpeggios over the instrumentation, giving the song its forward momentum. The song's structure is unique, with the true chorus not appearing until the very end of the song. 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 musicians found the song's tempo and varying sections challenging to record, especially the intro. Co-producer Mike Stone used a verbal click track to help the group practise, and after about twenty minutes, they turned it off and recorded the song live in one take. The song was completed within two months and under budget. Despite initial poor critical reviews, "Don't Stop Believin'" became a top-10 worldwide hit in 1981 and Journey's signature song. It has endured over the years, with Rolling Stone ranking it among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Critical reception
"Don't Stop Believin'", recorded by the band Journey, initially received poor critical reviews. It was criticised for its inauthentic and derivative nature, both musically and lyrically. Despite this, the song became a top-10 worldwide hit in 1981 and has endured as the group's signature song.
The track's popularity increased significantly after its appearance in the final episode of The Sopranos in 2007. It has also been featured in numerous other television series and films, including South Park, The Wedding Singer, Shrek the Halls, Bedtime Stories, and Glee. The song's use in Glee led to a resurgence in its popularity, with the cast's version outperforming the original internationally and debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009.
"Don't Stop Believin'" has been praised for its anthemic qualities and has been described as a "perfect rock song" by Mike DeGagne of AllMusic. Billboard called it an "uptempo, melodic track" with "fluid guitar and vocal", while Record World highlighted the "powerful rock chorus." The song was ranked among Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry in 2022.
In addition to its impact on television and film, "Don't Stop Believin'" has also left its mark on sports and popular culture. It became the anthem of the Chicago White Sox during their World Series-winning season in 2005 and has been featured in various pop-culture references, such as a 2005 episode of the Fox series Don't Make Me Over, where Peter Griffin and his friends sing it as a karaoke song.
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Commercial performance
"Don't Stop Believin'", the iconic rock anthem by Journey, has had an impressive commercial journey of its own. Despite initial critical reviews, the song has become a staple of classic rock radio and 1980s rock music. Its commercial success is evident through its widespread use in popular culture and its enduring popularity over several decades.
Upon its release in October 1981, "Don't Stop Believin'" charted in the UK, peaking at number 62. However, the song retained a cult following, and in 2009, it re-entered the UK Singles Chart, reaching higher positions each time it was performed on "The X Factor." By December 2009, it had peaked at number six and remained in the top 10 for seven weeks in 2010. This resurgence of popularity came nearly three decades after its initial release, showcasing its lasting appeal.
The song's commercial success is also evident through its integration into various television shows and media platforms. It has been featured in popular television series such as "South Park," "Family Guy," and "Glee," where it was performed in multiple episodes and released as a single from the show's soundtrack. "Don't Stop Believin'" has also gained traction on social media platforms like TikTok, with America's Got Talent winner Richard Goodall's a cappella cover of the song going viral.
In terms of sales, "Don't Stop Believin'" has achieved impressive commercial milestones. In 2012, it was the best-selling digital track from the 20th century, and by 2017, it had sold over seven million copies in the United States alone. The song's enduring popularity and commercial success have led to it being hailed as a "perfect rock song" and an "anthem" by music critics and fans alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The band that sings 'Don't Stop Believin'' is called Journey.
The song's title and hook came from something Cain's father frequently told him when he was a struggling musician: "Don't stop believing or you're done, dude.".
The song is played in the key of E major at a tempo of 118 beats per minute. The vocal range is E4–C#5. The chord progression is eight chords long, following a I–V–vi–IV–I–V–iii–IV progression.
You can find the official audio on YouTube or Spotify.
Yes, the cast of the American comedy-drama Glee covered the song in 2009, and their version outperformed the original internationally.
