Journey song cements status as cultural touchstone - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-20-2009, 10:52 PM

With its re-emergence in a version by the cast of the TV series Glee, the Journey song Don't Stop Believing is gaining a reputation as the song that won't go away.

It's famous appearance in the final episode of The Sopranos is just one of a series of uses of the song on TV and in film that has reintroduced it to successive generations of listeners.

The 1981 rock power ballad is the top-selling digital download of a track not originally released in this century, according to Nielsen SoundScan, selling 2.8 million units since 2003.

It is sung by Steve Perry, lead singer of Journey from 1978-1987 and 1995-1998, and one of Rolling Stone magazine's 100 top rock singers of all time.

Perry, now working on a solo album in Los Angeles, said he always thought Don't Stop Believing had potential as a single. It was always a hit with live audiences, though it didn't get great radio play at the time it was issued, he said.

"When we were doing the song in 1981, I knew something was happening, but honestly, when I saw it in the film Monster with Patty Jenkins, I started think, 'Oh my goodness there's really something,'" he said in an interview with CBC's Q cultural affairs show aired Monday.

The scene in 2003's Monster with Charlize Therone was just the beginning. The song also turned up in TV series Orange County, Family Guy (with the cast singing), Scrubs and Laguna Beach, and the films The Comebacks and Bedtime Stories.

Don't Stop Believing is also a popular group song on the current American Idols tour that comes to Hamilton, Ont., next month, and just played Vancouver. It's also banged out during Detroit Red Wings NHL games.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2...y.html?ref=rss

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 07-20-2009, 10:57 PM

I don't know a soul who doesn't know that song. You hear it all the time. I'd say it's America's favorite song lol. I love Journey to death, though, so for me it never gets old.

catlover79 · 07-20-2009, 11:18 PM

That is without a doubt Journey's signature song. Though there are plenty of other Journey songs I like better, I can't deny its impact on pop culture. Loved the scene in The Wedding Singer where the song was performed by a string quartet as a wedding march.

P.S. How cool it is that Steve Perry is now working on a new album - since he's spent so much of the last decade or so out of the limelight. It'll be interesting to hear it.

Schmoopie · 07-26-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

That is without a doubt Journey's signature song. Though there are plenty of other Journey songs I like better, I can't deny its impact on pop culture. Loved the scene in The Wedding Singer where the song was performed by a string quartet as a wedding march.

P.S. How cool it is that Steve Perry is now working on a new album - since he's spent so much of the last decade or so out of the limelight. It'll be interesting to hear it.

I'm watching "Wedding Singer" right now! I used to want this song in my wedding! Still love it as much as I did back then!

catlover79 · 07-26-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I'm watching "Wedding Singer" right now! I used to want this song in my wedding! Still love it as much as I did back then!

Great movie - one of my all-time faves.

07-20-2009, 10:52 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Journey song cements status as cultural touchstone With its re-emergence in a version by the cast of the TV series Glee, the Journey song Don't Stop Believing is gaining a reputation as the song that won't go away. It's famous appearance in the final episode of The Sopranos is just one of a series of uses of the song on TV and in film that has reintroduced it to successive generations of listeners. The 1981 rock power ballad is the top-selling digital download of a track not originally released in this century, according to Nielsen SoundScan, selling 2.8 million units since 2003. It is sung by Steve Perry, lead singer of Journey from 1978-1987 and 1995-1998, and one of Rolling Stone magazine's 100 top rock singers of all time. Perry, now working on a solo album in Los Angeles, said he always thought Don't Stop Believing had potential as a single. It was always a hit with live audiences, though it didn't get great radio play at the time it was issued, he said. "When we were doing the song in 1981, I knew something was happening, but honestly, when I saw it in the film Monster with Patty Jenkins, I started think, 'Oh my goodness there's really something,'" he said in an interview with CBC's Q cultural affairs show aired Monday. The scene in 2003's Monster with Charlize Therone was just the beginning. The song also turned up in TV series Orange County, Family Guy (with the cast singing), Scrubs and Laguna Beach, and the films The Comebacks and Bedtime Stories. Don't Stop Believing is also a popular group song on the current American Idols tour that comes to Hamilton, Ont., next month, and just played Vancouver. It's also banged out during Detroit Red Wings NHL games. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2...y.html?ref=rss
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07-20-2009, 10:57 PM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	I don't know a soul who doesn't know that song. You hear it all the time. I'd say it's America's favorite song lol. I love Journey to death, though, so for me it never gets old.
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07-20-2009, 11:18 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	That is without a doubt Journey's signature song. Though there are plenty of other Journey songs I like better, I can't deny its impact on pop culture. Loved the scene in The Wedding Singer where the song was performed by a string quartet as a wedding march. P.S. How cool it is that Steve Perry is now working on a new album - since he's spent so much of the last decade or so out of the limelight. It'll be interesting to hear it.
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