The 20 Best Journey Songs, from Wheel in the Sky to Separate Ways

What is Journey's most famous song?

"Don't Stop Believin'", from the 1981 album Escape, is Journey's most famous song and one of the best-selling rock tracks of the digital era. Their biggest chart hit was the ballad "Open Arms", which reached number two in 1982, and "Faithfully", "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)", "Any Way You Want It" and "Who's Crying Now" are classics too.

Journey's greatest songs

1. "Don't Stop Believin'", 1981: the anthem that never stopped growing.
2. "Open Arms", 1982: their biggest hit, a number two power ballad.
3. "Faithfully", 1983: Jonathan Cain's love song about life on the road.
4. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)", 1983: a dramatic, synth-driven top ten hit.
5. "Any Way You Want It", 1980: a stomping, upbeat rocker.
6. "Who's Crying Now", 1981: a smooth number four hit from Escape.
7. "Wheel in the Sky", 1978: their first hit with Steve Perry.
8. "Lights", 1978: a gentle tribute to San Francisco.
9. "Only the Young", 1985: a top ten hit from the film Vision Quest.
10. "Stone in Love", 1981: a fan favorite from Escape.

More Journey songs

11. "Send Her My Love", 1983: a moody ballad from Frontiers.
12. "Be Good to Yourself", 1986: a top ten single from Raised on Radio.
13. "I'll Be Alright Without You", 1986: a mid-tempo ballad.
14. "Girl Can't Help It", 1986: a radio-friendly rocker.
15. "Suzanne", 1986: an upbeat single from Raised on Radio.
16. "When You Love a Woman", 1996: a reunion ballad and a top 20 hit.
17. "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", 1979: a bluesy early hit.
18. "Feeling That Way", 1978: a harmony-rich song from Infinity.
19. "Still They Ride", 1981: a gentle ballad from Escape.
20. "After the Fall", 1983: a moody track from Frontiers.

Who are Journey?

Journey formed in San Francisco in 1973 around guitarist Neal Schon, formerly of Santana. They began as a jazz-rock band, then found huge success after singer Steve Perry joined in 1977, adding his soaring voice to their sound. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain joined in 1980, and the albums Escape and Frontiers made them one of the biggest bands in America. Perry left in the late 90s, and in 2007 the band found singer Arnel Pineda after Schon saw videos of him singing Journey songs online. Journey were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

The story behind Don't Stop Believin'

Steve Perry, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain wrote "Don't Stop Believin'" for Escape in 1981, and it reached number nine on the Hot 100. Decades later it found new life: it played over the final scene of The Sopranos in 2007, was covered on Glee in 2009 and became a sports-arena and karaoke staple, selling millions of downloads and becoming one of the best-known rock songs of all time.

Escape and the arena years

Escape, released in 1981, went to number one on the Billboard 200 and produced "Don't Stop Believin'", "Who's Crying Now", "Open Arms" and "Still They Ride". With Steve Perry's soaring tenor, Neal Schon's melodic guitar solos and Jonathan Cain's keyboards, Journey became one of the defining arena rock bands of the early 80s, and Frontiers in 1983 kept the streak going with "Separate Ways" and "Faithfully".

Faithfully and Open Arms

Jonathan Cain wrote "Faithfully" on a napkin on a tour bus, thinking about how hard it was to be away from his family, and it became one of the great power ballads of the 80s. "Open Arms", written by Cain and Perry, spent six weeks at number two in 1982. Both are now favorites for first dances and anniversaries.

Journey albums to start with

• Infinity (1978): the first album with Steve Perry.
• Departure (1980): with "Any Way You Want It".
• Escape (1981): their number one masterpiece.
• Frontiers (1983): with "Separate Ways" and "Faithfully".
• Greatest Hits (1988): one of the best-selling compilations ever.

Journey songs for a wedding or a party

"Faithfully" and "Open Arms" are classic first dance choices for a rock-loving couple, and "Lights" is a lovely slow dance. For the party, "Don't Stop Believin'", "Any Way You Want It" and "Separate Ways" are guaranteed singalongs. For more, see our 80s wedding songs and best karaoke songs.

Journey songs for a road trip

For a drive, play "Don't Stop Believin'", "Any Way You Want It", "Separate Ways", "Wheel in the Sky" and "Only the Young". For more, see our road trip songs and 70s rock songs.

More 80s rock

If you love Journey, explore our 80s songs, Rush songs and Pat Benatar songs.

A power ballad about them

Journey's songs make every moment feel huge. A personalized rock song can do the same for someone you love: their name, your story and a big, soaring chorus with a rock or power-ballad sound. It makes a great anniversary, birthday or wedding gift.

How to create a personalized rock song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: rock, pop, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or details about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them an anthem of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.