Alisa Ali
Dr. Jennifer Gliere
Introduction to Music
5 December 2016
Final Project: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” Journey is an American rock and roll band that was formed in 1973. It consists of guitarist and backing vocalist Neal Schon, bass player and backing vocalist Ross Valory, keyboard player and backing vocalist Jonathan Cain, drummer Steve Smith, and finally the leading vocalist Arnel Pineda (The Band). The band’s first album was released in 1975 but it was not a big hit. The following seven albums were not so lucky either. “After 1978, when big-voiced, feather-haired lead singer Steve Perry joined Journey, the group became a dominant force in what’s sometimes derisively referred to as “corporate rock”” (Murray). Hence, many contend …show more content…
During their journey, the two people become very good friends. It is also safe to assume that their rock-and-roll lifestyle was very typical with drugs and sex since the lyrics include “smoky room”, “smell of wine” , and “share the night”. Additionally, drugs are referenced again by the line, “Working hard to get my fill, everybody wants a thrill”. Here, fill means drugs and the thrill is the consequence of the drugs. Furthermore, the line, "Some will win, some will lose”, is referring to the people who eventually become successful in the rock and roll professional. Moreover, the line, "it goes on and on and on and on” can be used to describe life in general since one always has to keep up the pace. Finally, the phrase “Don’t stop believing” is used to persuade listeners to never give up their dreams and to keep trying until they are satisfied …show more content…
The beginning of the song starts off polyphonic with no lyrics. The beat keeps going back and forth as if something is moving. Later, we find out that a girl and a boy are actually in a moving train going anywhere in the middle of the night. Then, the lyrics stop and the electric guitar starts playing a fast and loud rhythm. This gives the listeners a chance of anticipation of what the young people will do next. Then, when the drums enter it gives an upbeat feeling that everything is going fine and the girl and boy are happily experiencing a new lifestyle. They meet each other in the streets and are hopeful to find their hidden identities. When the lyrics stop, the listeners imagine the boy and the girl trying to adjust to their new home. Later on, when the phrase “It goes on and on and on and on” is sung, the previous beat stops and then goes in sync with the word “on” followed by a fast couple beats by the drums. The steady beat signified a modulation because the key was changed afterwards. Then, the vocalists stop singing and the texture becomes really thick with the electric guitar and all the other instruments. This texture was used to build up the finale of the song. The vocalist and backup vocalists then start singing “Don’t stop believing” with a loud and declamatory tone. Everything before this was used for this exact moment. It was the most important