54

Don’t Stop Believin’
Journey
1981

True story:  I really didn’t like this song for a long time. Hell, I still don’t really like Journey. I mean, I probably should!  Steve Perry has this voice perfect for power ballads. They do these sweeping piano numbers (“Open Arms,” anyone?). But I’ve just never liked them, and I can’t quite pinpoint why. It’s always been kinda nails on the chalkboard for me, and like there’s some schmaltz that I’m just not into. Just too much ‘80s grossness associated with Journey. I don’t know, I’ve probably offended a few folks reading this who still have Journey posters on their wall in the garage. 

But then came 2010 and the San Francisco Giants and this song took on a new meaning and a new appreciation. We only waited 56 years for the Giants to finally win another championship (ok ok, I personally didn’t wait for 56 years). And this song was the rallying cry. Those opening piano chords are iconic and get you pumped up immediately (just check out that video).  Perry's vocal performance in this one is outstanding.  And because it is like the perfect sing-a-long song (who among us hasn’t belted out with a large group that opening line, “Just a small town girl / Living in a lonely world!”?), I had a newfangled love for this one. Which is odd; usually I make snap judgments about my music and it’s either in or it’s out. So this one is for second chances!  This one is for saying, you know, maybe there are some songs from, say, 1997, that I probably unfairly judged. You know, songs from three boys from Tulsa, Oklahoma that I probably wrote off too quickly. Just sayin’. There’s always time to change your mind!

Other Songs Considered:
Absolutely not.