The Meaning Behind The Lyrics Of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
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Journey will forever be remembered through their legendary song “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Released inside the band’s Escape album, it became a hit all over the world; Rolling Stone even placed in on no. 133 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Its popularity resurfaced in the 21st century, following the hit TV series Glee’s cover version.
The song’s inspiration was true-to-life on its own accord, simply an experience of keyboardist Michael Cain’s conversation of his father, who always gave his son a moment of clarity when things get rough. In an interview with American Songwriter, Cain revealed the details of its lyrics like it was written yesterday.
“My dad and I had this conversation,” Cain said. “In the 70s, I was kind of on my down and out phase. I’d lost my record deal with Warner Bros. and I had a day job and then my dog got hit by a car and I had a $1,000 vet bill. And I had called for money and I said, “Maybe I should give up on this thing dad, and come home to Chicago.” And he said, “No. You stay where you are.”
Cain further added: “It seems bad right now but there’s something coming and I feel it and don’t stop believing, Jon. That’s all I can say to you, don’t stop believing.” His father lent him both the money and the courage to never give up; the musician then began to write the words in his notebook. In about 20 minutes, Cain had come up with the song’s lyrics.
Both Neil Schon and Steve Perry contributed to the formation of the song’s structure, which was fragments of each’s imaginations. Journey was successful in picking Cain to change their sound, and “Don’t Stop Believin’” was the proof of that.
Lyrics:
Livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin’ anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train goin’ anywhere
The smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows
Searchin’ in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin’ just to find emotion
Hidin’ somewhere in the night
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows
Searchin’ in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin’ just to find emotion
Hidin’ somewhere in the night
Hold on to that feelin’
Streetlight, people
Don’t stop, believin’
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Hold on to that feelin’
Streetlight, people
