Big Moment for 'Journey' at 'Sopranos' End - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-11-2007, 08:50 PM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8PMTECO1.html

Big Moment for Journey at 'Sopranos' End

NEW YORK (AP) - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos."

But even they couldn't believe how it would prove so integral to one of the most memorable final scenes in television history.

"It was better than anything I would have ever hoped for," said Jonathan Cain, Journey keyboard player, who watched at home with his wife and family.

Tony Soprano chose the song after flipping through a jukebox at a New Jersey restaurant where he dined with his family. The song played in the background as ominous characters flitted about and, right as Steve Perry was singing "don't stop," the HBO series did exactly that, for good. The ending infuriated some fans, amused others and intrigued all.

Cain, who wrote the song with Perry and Neal Schon, didn't know how it would be used when they agreed to the licensing. Cain kept the fact that it was going to be in at all a secret, then watched the episode with his family.

"I didn't want to blow it," he told The Associated Press on Monday. "Even my wife didn't know. She looked at me and said, 'You knew that and you didn't tell me?'"

Journey released the song in 1981, and it reached No. 9 on the singles chart. It has taken a life of its own since then, often reflecting the attitude people had toward Journey itself. "Don't Stop Believin'" brings back fond memories for many, is unbearably cheesy for others.

It's easy to imagine Tony Soprano, back in the day, taking a young Carmella to a Journey concert.

David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos," has an eclectic musical taste. He's curated two songtrack albums for his series, and made music a key part of the stories, particularly as the ending credits rolled. It's possible "Don't Stop Believin'" was part of the elaborate inside joke he made of the final episode.

It's also possible he found the end of the last verse too hard to resist: "Some will win, some will lose," Perry sings. "Some were born to sing the blues. Oh, the movie never ends. It goes on and on and on and on ... "

"Don't Stop Believin'" has been featured in a several television and movie scenes. It crept onto an iTunes top-10 list when, during the same week, it was on Fox's "Family Guy" and in a romantic scene on MTV's "Laguna Beach."

Sports teams have adopted it, too. After the Chicago White Sox used it in 2005, Perry sang it at the parade to celebrate the team's World Series victory.

Cain, who has a 13-year-old and twins aged 11, said the songwriters are careful about how they license the song, and have resisted several advertising campaigns. They debated its use in the film "Monster" with Charlize Theron but, in the end, "she's too cute to say no to," he said.

He was a little nervous Sunday when, as he watched with his children, the mob boss Phil was shot and viewers heard his head crunched as it was run over by an SUV. But he loved the final scene.

"It was very smart writing," he said. "I always love movies where you don't see the guy whacked. You wonder whether he's going to get whacked."

It could help Journey's visibility, too, as it did for singer Nick Lowe when his song "The Beast in Me" was used over the closing credits for "The Sopranos" very first episode. There had been some speculation that Chase would return to it for the finale.

"A lot more people knew Johnny Cash's version (of 'The Beast in Me') and this put Nick's version on the map," said Jake Guralnick, Lowe's American manager. "Nick's version is a lot more vulnerable."

Cain said it indicated that a wish he and Perry had - that their songs would have a long life - was coming true.

"It puts our feet in the cement," he said. "We're a staple in the American music culture. Like us or not, we're here to stay."

TripperFan · 06-11-2007, 08:58 PM

It struck me at the time that it represented that the Mafia will go on, and on, and on.

(with, or without Tony)

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 09:25 PM

It was also used in the Charlize Theron movie MONSTER.

Jrnygrl · 06-11-2007, 09:57 PM

Irene, thanks for posting this! You mad this Journey fan very happy! I have been on a Journey high all day!!!!

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

Irene, thanks for posting this! You mad this Journey fan very happy! I have been on a Journey high all day!!!!

You are welcome. As a matter of fact, when I heard that song last night, I was thinking of you!!!

Janice · 06-11-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

Irene, thanks for posting this! You mad this Journey fan very happy! I have been on a Journey high all day!!!!

I posted it!

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I posted it!

Oh, I thought she meant MY post above hers.

Janice · 06-11-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Oh, I thought she meant MY post above hers.

Gimme back my credit Irene!

Jrnygrl · 06-11-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I posted it!

I am eating a big piece of humble pie! Sorry Janice, thanks for the post!

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Gimme back my credit Irene!

I never took it!!!!!

Janice · 06-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrnygrl

I am eating a big piece of humble pie! Sorry Janice, thanks for the post!

Humble Pie, another good band. I saw them in concert, that's how....ummm...mature I am.

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 10:43 PM

Humble Pie = Peter Frampton

Janice · 06-11-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Humble Pie = Peter Frampton

Frampton Comes Alive, the biggest album going when I was in high school. My high school sweetheart dedicated, 'Baby I Love Your Way' to me.

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Frampton Comes Alive, the biggest album going when I was in high school. My high school sweetheart dedicated, 'Baby I Love Your Way' to me.

Awwwwww, that is sweet. BTW, what did you do that he loved "your way"?

I have that album. It is in storage. I now have it on CD. God, that album ROCKS!!!!!!!

Janice · 06-12-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Awwwwww, that is sweet. BTW, what did you do that he loved "your way"?

You know those special "ways" Irene, you hot tamale.

06-11-2007, 08:50 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Big Moment for 'Journey' at 'Sopranos' End http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8PMTECO1.html Big Moment for Journey at 'Sopranos' End NEW YORK (AP) - The songwriters of Journey's power ballad "Don't Stop Believin'" were "jumping up and down" when they learned a few weeks ago it had been licensed for use in the final episode of "The Sopranos." But even they couldn't believe how it would prove so integral to one of the most memorable final scenes in television history. "It was better than anything I would have ever hoped for," said Jonathan Cain, Journey keyboard player, who watched at home with his wife and family. Tony Soprano chose the song after flipping through a jukebox at a New Jersey restaurant where he dined with his family. The song played in the background as ominous characters flitted about and, right as Steve Perry was singing "don't stop," the HBO series did exactly that, for good. The ending infuriated some fans, amused others and intrigued all. Cain, who wrote the song with Perry and Neal Schon, didn't know how it would be used when they agreed to the licensing. Cain kept the fact that it was going to be in at all a secret, then watched the episode with his family. "I didn't want to blow it," he told The Associated Press on Monday. "Even my wife didn't know. She looked at me and said, 'You knew that and you didn't tell me?'" Journey released the song in 1981, and it reached No. 9 on the singles chart. It has taken a life of its own since then, often reflecting the attitude people had toward Journey itself. "Don't Stop Believin'" brings back fond memories for many, is unbearably cheesy for others. It's easy to imagine Tony Soprano, back in the day, taking a young Carmella to a Journey concert. David Chase, creator of "The Sopranos," has an eclectic musical taste. He's curated two songtrack albums for his series, and made music a key part of the stories, particularly as the ending credits rolled. It's possible "Don't Stop Believin'" was part of the elaborate inside joke he made of the final episode. It's also possible he found the end of the last verse too hard to resist: "Some will win, some will lose," Perry sings. "Some were born to sing the blues. Oh, the movie never ends. It goes on and on and on and on ... " "Don't Stop Believin'" has been featured in a several television and movie scenes. It crept onto an iTunes top-10 list when, during the same week, it was on Fox's "Family Guy" and in a romantic scene on MTV's "Laguna Beach." Sports teams have adopted it, too. After the Chicago White Sox used it in 2005, Perry sang it at the parade to celebrate the team's World Series victory. Cain, who has a 13-year-old and twins aged 11, said the songwriters are careful about how they license the song, and have resisted several advertising campaigns. They debated its use in the film "Monster" with Charlize Theron but, in the end, "she's too cute to say no to," he said. He was a little nervous Sunday when, as he watched with his children, the mob boss Phil was shot and viewers heard his head crunched as it was run over by an SUV. But he loved the final scene. "It was very smart writing," he said. "I always love movies where you don't see the guy whacked. You wonder whether he's going to get whacked." It could help Journey's visibility, too, as it did for singer Nick Lowe when his song "The Beast in Me" was used over the closing credits for "The Sopranos" very first episode. There had been some speculation that Chase would return to it for the finale. "A lot more people knew Johnny Cash's version (of 'The Beast in Me') and this put Nick's version on the map," said Jake Guralnick, Lowe's American manager. "Nick's version is a lot more vulnerable." Cain said it indicated that a wish he and Perry had - that their songs would have a long life - was coming true. "It puts our feet in the cement," he said. "We're a staple in the American music culture. Like us or not, we're here to stay."

06-11-2007, 08:58 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	It struck me at the time that it represented that the Mafia will go on, and on, and on. (with, or without Tony)
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

06-11-2007, 09:25 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	It was also used in the Charlize Theron movie MONSTER.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

06-11-2007, 09:57 PM	#4
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Irene, thanks for posting this! You mad this Journey fan very happy! I have been on a Journey high all day!!!!

06-11-2007, 10:43 PM	#12
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Humble Pie = Peter Frampton