Escape was the band's first album with keyboardist Jonathan Cain who replaced founding keyboardist Gregg Rolie after he left the band at the end of 1980. The album was co-produced by Kevin Elson and one-time Queen engineer Mike Stone, who also engineered the album.
With four hit singles out of "Don't Stop Believin'"#9, "Who's Crying Now"#4, "Still They Ride"#19 and "Open Arms"#2 plus rock radio staples like "Stone in Love", "Mother, Father", and the album's title cut, Escape became Journey's biggest selling album yet, and remains one of their most popular and best-reviewed works to date.
The album has been certified 9x Platinum by RIAA since its July 31, 1981 release* (11/14/94; only Greatest Hits, at 15x, has sold more copies).
* Highest chart position: #1 on the Billboard album chart where it stayed for a week dethroning Stevie Nicks' Bella Donna from #1 in September 1981.
An Atari 2600 game, Journey Escape, was made based on the album.
Don't Stop Believin'
Journey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some are born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
The lyrics of Journey's song "Don't Stop Believin'" tell the story of two individuals - a small town girl and a city boy - who find themselves in a world that can be lonely, smoky and challenging. They have taken midnight trains, hoping to find a place where they belong. The lyrics portray them as two isolated people searching for something they can connect with.
The first verse introduces the two characters and sets the scene. The small town girl lives in a lonely world, while the city boy was born and raised in South Detroit. Both are described as taking the midnight train and heading anywhere. The second verse a singer in a smoky room, where the smell of wine and cheap perfume permeates the air. The singer shares a smile with someone in the audience and for a moment, they both forget about the problems of the world. The chorus encourages listeners to "hold on to the feeling" of hope and keep believing, no matter what life throws their way.
The second part of the second verse speaks to the idea of people searching for emotion, for something to hide their pain or bring meaning to their lives. The bridge repeats the idea that people are working hard to find fulfillment - they want a thrill and are willing to pay any price to achieve it. Not everyone will be successful; many will lose, and others will sing the blues. The final chorus repeats the encouragement to believe in oneself and not give up. The song ultimately leaves the listener with the message that there's always hope, even when the journey seems difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a small town girl
This song is about a girl who grew up in a small town.
Livin' in a lonely world
The girl feels lonely in her small town and wants to escape.
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
She left her small town without any particular destination in mind.
Just a city boy
This song is also about a boy who grew up in the city.
Born and raised in south Detroit
The city boy is from Detroit, specifically the southern part.
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
The city boy also left his home without any particular plan or destination.
A singer in a smoky room
The song mentions a singer performing in a smoky room, likely in a bar or nightclub.
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
The room has a distinct smell, which is a combination of wine and perfume.
For a smile they can share the night
People come to the smoky room to be entertained and connect with others.
It goes on and on, and on, and on
The night and the entertainment continue indefinitely.
Strangers waiting
The song describes people waiting for something, perhaps for the entertainment to begin.
Up and down the boulevard
These people are waiting on a busy street with many businesses and attractions.
Their shadows searching in the night
The people are looking for something, perhaps for love or excitement.
Streetlights, people
This line repeats the title of the song and could mean that these people are the streetlights of the city, hoping to guide each other to their destinations.
Living just to find emotion
The people in the song are seeking emotional experiences and connections with others.
Hiding somewhere in the night
These emotional connections may be hard to find, but the people are still looking for them.
Working hard to get my fill
The singer is not just an entertainer; he must also work hard to earn a living.
Everybody wants a thrill
The people in the song are looking for excitement and adventure.
Payin' anything to roll the dice
They are willing to take risks and spend money to find their thrills and emotional connections.
Just one more time
They keep seeking these experiences, even though they may have had them before.
Some will win, some will lose
Not everyone will find what they are looking for, but some will.
Some were born to sing the blues
Some people are more inclined to experience sadness or loss, perhaps because of their life experiences.
Oh, the movie never ends
The song is using the idea of a movie to describe how life continues indefinitely, with new experiences and connections always possible.
Don't stop believin'
The chorus urges the listener to keep hoping and searching for emotional connections and experiences, no matter what.
Hold on to the feelin'
The song encourages people to stay positive and hopeful, even when things are tough or they are feeling lost.
Streetlights, people
The song ends by repeating the title phrase, which has come to mean the people themselves, searching for answers and connections in the night.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jonathan Cain, Stephen Ray Perry, Neal Joseph Schon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind