Unveiling the Hidden Gems of journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin”
When musicians are called to elevate their craft, they often delve into their innermost feelings for that spark of creativity. Though, during the recording of their iconic track “Don’t Stop Believin’,” journey’s producers had a rather unconventional request for guitarist Neal Schon.
In a recent conversation with Rick Beato,Schon shared,”They told me,’Play something simple.’” This unexpected direction might seem counterintuitive for a song centered on hope and perseverance.
yet, this approach is sometimes the secret ingredient to crafting a hit. released in 1981 as part of Journey’s seventh studio album, Escape, “Don’t Stop Believin’” soared into the top 10 and has since evolved into a cultural touchstone. Its memorable melody has graced various media, including the unforgettable series finale of the Sopranos in 2007. Additionally, the song has become a staple at San Francisco Giants games, where former lead singer steve Perry led fans in a rousing singalong during the 2014 World Series.
Today, “Don’t Stop Believin’” holds a prestigious spot in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, a testament to its remarkable sales of over 18 million copies and its lasting cultural impact.
Reflecting on the song’s creation, Schon remarked, “When we were experimenting in the studio, I sensed there was something special brewing.” He recalls a moment of clarity while listening to the mix,realizing,”I think we’ve created something that’s going to outshine the entire album.”
Decades later, that prediction has proven true. the song’s success can be traced back to the producers’ directive to keep it straightforward. Schon responded with a “chunky rhythm part,” a solid chord progression that kicks in during the third verse, reminiscent of the driving force behind Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Buisness.” “Its subtle,but if you remove it,the song loses its essence,” he explained.
“It wasn’t my original idea, but that’s the magic of a good producer-they push you to explore new avenues.”
The Collaborative Spirit Behind the Hit
“Don’t Stop believin’” emerged from a collaborative effort between schon, Perry, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who had recently joined the band. In a 2023 interview with Guitar Player, schon revealed that Cain introduced the chord progression, while he suggested a Motown-inspired bass line to enhance the rhythm. “Jon had the catchy ‘Don’t stop believin” chorus, and we built the rest of the song around it,” he said. “I contributed the B section-‘Strangers,waiting’-which Perry loved,and that was the foundation of the track.”
The Unconventional Structure of a Classic
As for the iconic chorus, Schon highlights its strategic placement: “It doesn’t appear until the end. I can’t think of another massive hit that follows this pattern. The conventional wisdom is to get to the chorus quickly, but we defied that rule and created something unique.”
During the recording process, Schon utilized his beloved 1977 Gibson Les Paul, an instrument that fetched an remarkable $250,000 at auction in 2021. He recalls his significant contributions, particularly the arpeggiated guitar part that introduces the second verse, which adds a symphonic quality to the track. “It felt like it propelled the song forward,” he noted.
This approach certainly diverges from the notion of playing something simple. Yet, as evidenced by its acclaim, sometimes simplicity is the key to success. In fact, Forbes recently crowned “Don’t Stop Believin’” as the Biggest Song of All Time in their march 2024 issue, proving that there’s merit in keeping it straightforward.
