Don’t Stop Believin’
“Don’t Stop Believin'” is a song by the American rock band Journey, originally released as a single from its seventh studio album Escape (1981). It became a number 9 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 on its original release. In the United Kingdom, the song was not a Top 40 hit on its original release; however, it reached sixth a 2009 re-release after it had increased its popularity from its use on television.
Mike DeGagne of AllMusic has described “Don’t Stop Believin'” as a “perfect rock song” and an “anthem”, featuring “one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock.” It is one of the top-selling catalog tracks in digital history.
The song is played in the key of E major at a tempo of 120 beats per minute. The vocal range is E3–C#5.[6] The chord progression, played by the piano in the introduction and continued throughout most of the song, is eight chords long, following a I-V-vi-IV-I-V-iii-IV progression.
The song includes a reference to Detroit, Michigan, which has a long and rich musical heritage. The lyric “Born and raised in south Detroit” has been misconstrued by some as being a reference to a nonexistent city named “South Detroit” as well as areas that lie south of Detroit.
Personnel (Escape)
Steve Perry – lead vocals
Ross Valory – bass guitar, background vocals
Jonathan Cain – keyboards, background vocals
Neal Schon – lead and rhythm guitars, background vocals
Steve Smith – drums and percussion
Personnel (Revelation)
Arnel Pineda – lead vocals
Ross Valory – bass guitar, background vocals
Jonathan Cain – keyboards, background vocals
Neal Schon – lead and rhythm guitars, background vocals
Deen Castronovo – drums and percussion, background vocals