A Melodic Ride: Ranking the Top 20 Journey Songs of All Time

Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by Chief Editor

Brief Overview of the Top 20 Journey Songs

Ah, Journey! Every time I think of them, I’m taken back to the golden era of rock music. Originating from the vibrant city of San Francisco back in 1973, this band did more than just play music; they told stories. Their melodies, ranging from electrifying rock anthems to soul-stirring ballads, have been an integral part of many of our life’s soundtracks. Join me as we dive deep into my top 20 picks from this iconic band and celebrate their magical musical ride.

Our Ranking Criteria for the Top 20 Journey Songs

We searched for the Journey Songs on YouTube and checked the total views count for each song, whether they were published on their official channels or other channels. If you think there is a mistake in our ranking criteria, please let us know by leaving your comments at the end of this post, or you can tell us via the Contact Us form.

Rank	Song Name	Combined* Views On YouTube	Release year
20	Edge of the Blade	2 Million	1983
19	Chain Reaction	3 Million	1985
18	After the Fall	4 Million	1983
17	Ask the Lonely	4 Million	1964
16	Be Good to Yourself	5 Million	1986
15	Only the Young	12 Million	1983
14	Feeling That Way	13 Million	1978
13	Girl Can’t Help It	18 Million	1986
12	Lights	18 Million	1978
11	Stone in Love	21 Million	1981
10	Send Her My Love	30 Million	1983
9	Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin	32 Million	1979
8	I’ll Be Alright Without You	31 Million	1986
7	Wheel in the Sky	42 Million	1978
6	Who’s Crying Now	55 Million	1981
5	Any Way You Want It	65 Million	1980
4	Open Arms	116 Million	2006
3	Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)	153 Million	1983
2	Faithfully	327 Million	1983
1	Don’t Stop Believin	685 Million	1981

* Combined = Total views count of the songs from their official channel and also from other channels.

20 Edge of the Blade

The song delves into the universal theme of love, loss, and the strength to overcome challenges. It tells the story of a passionate but tumultuous relationship on the brink of collapse. The lyrics depict the struggle to maintain a connection with someone who constantly tests the boundaries.

Some Highlights:

• This song is amazing, and Perry at his best is truly unmatched.
• This song makes my soul smile! It’s just brilliant.
• This is my favorite Journey song, and that’s saying a lot because they have so many good ones.

19 Chain Reaction

On February 1, 1983, Columbia Records released Frontiers, the eighth studio album by the American rock band Journey. Until 1996’s Trial by Fire, this was the band’s last album with bassist Ross Valory.

Some Highlights:

• “I’ve been a Journey fan since I was a kid, and I’ve been listening to them my whole life. Without Steve Perry, it’s just not the same. His voice made the band so famous. We really miss you!”
• “This might not be Journey’s biggest hit, but I believe it’s their best video ever.”
• “It seems like they had a lot of fun making this video. The ‘Frontiers’ album is fantastic.”

18 After the Fall

The song “After the Fall” is by the American rock band Journey. It was the third song issued from Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry’s 1983 album Frontiers.

Some Highlights:

• It was the band’s 11th top 40 and ninth top 25 hit, peaking at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Overall, it lasted 12 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at number 30 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
• Cash Box noted the song “manages to walk the tightrope between AOR and pop” and commended the guitar solo and “near-perfect fade-out.”
• The song was included in Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay’s 1983 film Risky Business.
• It was the first Journey song to include bass guitarist Randy Jackson, who would join the band for their next album Raised on Radio and tour before departing in 2020.

17 Ask the Lonely

The song “Ask the Lonely” is by the American rock band Journey. It was a radio rock smash in the United States (despite only getting a single release in Japan) and features on their 1988 Greatest Hits album.

In January 1984, the song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (then known as “Top Rock Tracks”).

Some Highlights:

• “The arrangement is straightforward and well-timed, with Steve Smith keeping a tight rhythm. The piano complements the guitar nicely. The guitar solo is understated and fits the melody, with a few standout moments. But this song is all about Steve Perry! His vocals are amazing, with great power, modulation, and sustain. Brilliant. It’s a perfectly crafted melodic hard rock song.”
• “It’s hard to believe how incredible his voice sounded in the 80s, considering the technology back then was pretty basic. Nowadays, technology can make people sound better than they actually are. But his voice was truly magical.”

16 Be Good to Yourself

Journey’s “Be Good to Yourself” is a song from their ninth studio album, Raised on Radio. The song debuted at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 as the album’s first single.

Some Highlights:

• Need a pick-me-up? This uplifting track will surely boost your spirits!
• The great thing about looking for live Journey videos (Be Good to Yourself) is that they often outshine the original recordings. It’s so satisfying every time I come across another flawless performance! 💯
• This is a masterpiece. Steve’s vocals are absolutely perfect, unmatched in the vocal range.

15 Only the Young

It was purchased by the band Scandal, who used it on their 1984 album Warrior. Originally planned for Journey’s Frontiers album, it was dropped within days of recording in favor of “Back Talk” and “Troubled Child.”

Some Highlights:

• “Some 80s songs bring back a really strong mix of nostalgia, both sweet and a bit sad. This one is definitely one of those.”
• “There was a time when music could lift your spirits and really move you. This song is a perfect example.”

14 Feeling That Way

In January 1978, Columbia Records released Journey’s fourth studio album, Infinity. It was the band’s debut album with singer Steve Perry and their last with drummer Aynsley Dunbar.

Some Highlights:

• “If this song were released today for the first time. The journey would skyrocket to incredible success, even in the world we live in today.”
• “This is a masterpiece. Back in the day, this band had so much talent.”
• “This has always been one of my favorite Journey songs. It’s just awesome.”

The song was released as the album’s third single, after “Be Good to Yourself” and “Suzanne.” “Girl Can’t Help It” was a Billboard Top 40 success, debuting on September 20, 1986, and peaking at number 17. It was also a Top 10 rock song, reaching number 9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Some Highlights:

• It’s just so awesome.
• The backup vocals are fantastic! The way they harmonize gives us chills!
• This song brings tears to my eyes. It’s packed with memories and stirs up a lot of emotions in people.

12 Lights

“Lights” is a song written by Steve Perry and Neal Schon and recorded by the American rock band Journey in 1978.
The song is about Journey’s hometown of San Francisco, although it was composed in and was initially supposed to be about Los Angeles.

Some Highlights:

• Journey was a legendary rock band, and this album had everyone hooked. No other group can capture their unique sound. Steve Perry was the rock voice of his era, and I really miss hearing him and the band. This album defined the sound of 1978.
• Journey has given us so many great songs over the years, and this one is my absolute favorite!
• This song is amazing, and I’ll never forget the first time I heard it. I absolutely loved it.

11 Stone in Love

Escape (stylized as E5C4P3 on the album cover) is Journey’s seventh studio album, released on July 17, 1981 by Columbia Records.

Some Highlights:

• I can’t even put into words how incredible that guitar solo is. It brings tears to my eyes.
• This music is really timeless. Our great-grandkids will still enjoy it long after we’re gone.
• This music is truly timeless. It will keep entertaining our great-grandchildren long after we’re gone.

10 Send Her My Love

Journey’s song “Send Her My Love” was released in 1983. This Cain/Perry-penned song, released in September of that year as the fourth single from their album Frontiers, reached number 23 on the US pop charts in November of that year.

Some Highlights:

• This song screams the ’80s more than almost any other. It’s full of that special atmosphere, dreams, and a carefree vibe. I wish we could bring the ’80s back.
• This song reminds me of my first love, those long summer nights, and a time when life was all about fun and innocence.
• This is such a lovely song. It was my wife’s favorite. We played it at her funeral as her final wish before she passed away. Every time I hear it, it brings up a lot of emotions.

9 Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin

The song was Journey’s first US Top 40 success, peaking at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year.

Some Highlights:

• “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” peaked at No. 12 in Canada and No. 37 in New Zealand.Steve Perry’s voice is really special. He has an incredible range, and I could honestly listen to him all day.
• Steve Perry’s voice is really special. He has an incredible range, and I could honestly listen to him all day.
• This song is part of one of the most underappreciated rock albums ever. Back when I was a teenager in Colombia, a friend introduced me to it, and I instantly fell in love with every track. Here’s to the enduring legacy of Journey!

8 I’ll Be Alright Without You

“I’ll Be Alright Without You” is a song by Journey that appears on their ninth studio album, Raised on Radio. Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon wrote and composed the song.

Some Highlights:

• “Journey’s music should be in everyone’s playlist forever.”
• Never get tired of listening to this song. It never gets old!!!
• “I’ll Be Alright Without You,” that vibrato in the song is just amazing! Vibrato doesn’t get any better than that. Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, Englebert Humperdink, George Michael, Daryl Hall, Steve, and Kenny Loggins are some of the best male vocalists!”

7 Wheel in the Sky

“Wheel in the Sky” is a song by the American rock band Journey from their fourth studio album, Infinity, released in 1977. Robert Fleischman, Neal Schon, and Diane Valory wrote and composed it.

Some Highlights:

• This one’s a rocker! With its foot-tapping beat and unforgettable chorus, it’s pure Journey magic.
• This is still one of my all-time favorite Journey songs! Steve’s vocals are unmatched, even today.
• He’ll always be known as ‘The Voice’!
• Steve’s voice is truly mesmerizing.
• There’s something about it that just pulls you in and makes you want to hear more. Even decades later, us fans still can’t get enough.

6 Who’s Crying Now

The song “Who’s Crying Now” is by the American rock band Journey. Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry wrote it.

Some Highlights:

• It’s incredible how his live recordings are just as good, if not better than his studio ones. Steve Perry is the best!
• This band is one of the rare ones where the singer sounds exactly like the recordings, none of that fake stuff you hear nowadays. In my opinion, it’s the best voice I’ve ever heard, and I’m not afraid to say it. The best!
• The guitar might be quieter for most of the song, but it really explodes at the end. It’s an amazing song.

5 Any Way You Want It

A lively, get-on-your-feet track, it oozes infectious energy and killer guitar riffs.

Some Highlights:

• This song is one of those that gets me in a good mood in the morning.
• His voice is so amazing; it gives me chills. He holds those notes flawlessly.
• He has one of the most unique and recognizable voices in the history of music.

4 Open Arms

It is a power ballad whose lyrics aim to restore a drifting romance. It is one of the band’s most well-known radio singles and their largest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at number two in February 1982 and remaining there for six weeks.

Some Highlights:

• It’s a magnificent and effortless performance. Journey just wouldn’t be Journey without Steve Perry.
• He has the best voice of any band in history. His voice is a true gift to humanity and such a beautiful expression of love.
• It’s a classic that never gets old.

3 Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Journey’s song “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” was produced for their album Frontiers and released as a single on January 5, 1983. It lasted six weeks at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 list and four weeks at number one on the Top Tracks chart. The song was also included in the movies Tron: Legacy and season four of Stranger Things.

Some Highlights:

• This band is among the best ever, and this song is one of the greatest hits of all time. Plus, the money-saving effort in the video is pretty impressive.
• This song is timeless, and it’s just so good. It’s definitely one of the best rock songs ever.
• This song is really emotional and touches your heart. It’s a timeless classic!

2 Faithfully

Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist, wrote the tune. It reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the band their second top-twenty success from Frontiers.

Some Highlights:

• This is a real masterpiece, and Journey is one of the greatest bands ever. Love them!
• This is one of Journey’s most popular songs, and it never gets old.
• It implies that great tunes may go on indefinitely.

1 Don’t Stop Believin

Journey’s song “Don’t Stop Believin'” is a rock tune. It was released as the second single from the group’s seventh studio album, Escape (1981), on Columbia Records in October 1981.

Some Highlights:

• The internet has made it possible for music from every generation to be accessible to all generations.
• It means that great songs can keep living on forever.
• This is one of Journey’s greatest hits, and you never get tired of listening to it.

Conclusion:

Journey isn’t just a band; it’s an experience. And these top 20 tracks? They’re not just songs but memories, emotions, and stories intertwined. Whether you’ve been a fan since the beginning or are just getting introduced, Journey’s music has a timeless allure, ensuring their place in the heart of rock ‘n’ roll. So, let’s keep the music playing and, as they say, don’t stop believin’!

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