This may be a bold statement, but hear me out. I think Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" is the greatest song of all time.

In 1981 Journey released their seventh album, Escape which earned them four Billboard Hot 100 songs. Of those four, "Don't Stop Believin'" only made it to #9. Not a major success at the time.

It has been recorded twice in the studio by Journey.  Once with original lead singer Steve Perry, and current lead for the past 10 years, Arnel Pineda. It has been covered multiple times, most famously by the cast of Glee.

It also was featured in both the Rock of Ages movie and Broadway musical.

 

And probably its most famous appearance was in the series finale of The Sopranos.

Despite its performance on release, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't know the song today, no matter what their age. It's had 7 million downloads as of 2017 and is the most downloaded digital track of the 1980s.

It's unique musically with a catchy opening piano solo, several guitar solos that transition the story of the lyrics and a chorus that isn't heard until 50 seconds are left in the song.

The story a small town girl and a small town boy living in a lonely world and South Detroit, which doesn't exist, is the perfect sing-a-long song anytime it's heard. It's a total earworm, one that appeals to all generations. Just hearing it makes you feel good.

I know what you're saying. What about songs by the Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Guns 'N Roses, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, Drake. I hear ya. There's a lot of amazing music out there unless Nickelback made it.

This song though. I think it wins. Change my mind.

 

 

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