Don't Stop Believin
Cory Monteith & Lea Michele Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just a small town girl
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 smokey room
The 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 searchin' in the night

Streetlight, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night

Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anythin' 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 searchin' in the night

Streetlight, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night

(Don't stop) Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight, people

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight, people





Don't stop!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cory Monteith & Lea Michele's song "Don't Stop Believin'" describes two strangers, a small town girl and a city boy, looking for escape and adventure, hoping to find purpose and meaning in their lives. They take the midnight train going anywhere, searching for something more than what their current situation offers them. They are just two of the many strangers waiting along the boulevard for their chance to find their emotional fulfillment. The song portrays a sense of hope and perseverance, as the chorus urges listeners to never stop believing and to hold on to that feeling.


The first two verses tell the stories of two individuals looking to escape their mundane lives in search of something more. The pre-chorus speaks of a singer in a smoky room, enveloped in the scent of wine and cheap perfume. This could either be a metaphor for the uncertainty of life or a literal representation of the characters’ situations as they search for their dreams. The chorus asks the listener to not give up and to hold on to that feeling of hope and aspiration, represented by the image of streetlights.


The song was originally written and released by American rock band Journey in 1981 but gained a resurgence in popularity after appearing in the final scene of the TV series "The Sopranos" in 2007. It has since been covered on various occasions, including by Glee's cast, where Cory Monteith and Lea Michele starred together.


Line by Line Meaning

Just a small town girl
A girl from a small town, hoping for a chance to make something more of her life.


Livin' in a lonely world
Living in a town where there isn't much to do, feeling lonely and disconnected.


She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
She decided to take a chance and leave her small town behind, not knowing where she was going but hoping for something better.


Just a city boy
A guy who grew up in the city, used to the hustle and bustle of urban life.


Born and raised in South Detroit
Raised in a specific part of Detroit, which is known for its grit and toughness.


He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
He made the decision to leave his city life behind and take a chance on the unknown, hoping for something better.


A singer in a smokey room
Someone who is singing in a small, dimly lit bar or club, trying to make a living as a performer.


The smell of wine and cheap perfume
The scent of alcohol and inexpensive perfume in the air, adding to the mood and atmosphere of the room.


For a smile they can share the night
The singer is performing for the crowd, hoping to make them happy and share a moment together.


It goes on and on and on and on
The night seems to stretch on forever, with no end in sight.


Strangers waiting
People who don't know each other, waiting for something to happen or someone to arrive.


Up and down the boulevard
Walking along the main street of the city, where there are a lot of people and things to see.


Their shadows searchin' in the night
People looking for something or someone, with only their shadows visible in the dim light.


Streetlight, people
People who are moving through the city at night, illuminated by streetlights and hoping to connect with others.


Livin' just to find emotion
Sometimes life can feel empty and meaningless, so people are searching for something to make them feel alive and connected.


Hidin' somewhere in the night
The thing people are looking for is elusive and hidden, making it even more desirable.


Workin' hard to get my fill
People are striving to achieve their goals and get what they want out of life, no matter how much work it takes.


Everybody wants a thrill
People want to feel alive and excited, whether that means taking a risk or experiencing something new.


Payin' anythin' to roll the dice
People are willing to take a chance and risk everything they have in order to achieve their goals and find happiness.


Just one more time
After all the work and effort, people just want to experience the thrill and excitement of success one more time.


Some will win, some will lose
Not everyone will achieve their goals and find success, but that's just the way life goes.


Some are born to sing the blues
Some people are just unlucky and seem to always end up with the short end of the stick.


Oh the movie never ends
Life is like a never-ending story, with each person playing a unique role and experiencing their own trials and tribulations.


It goes on and on and on and on
Life continues, with its ups and downs, no matter what happens.


(Don't stop) Don't stop believin'
Don't give up hope, even when things seem dark and hopeless.


Hold on to that feelin'
Keep hold of the positive feelings and experiences, even when everything else seems to be going wrong.


Streetlight, people
The people who are out at night, searching for meaning, connection, and happiness.


Don't stop believin'
Keep hoping and dreaming, no matter what obstacles or setbacks come your way.


Hold on to that feelin'
Remember the good times and the reasons why you started on this path, even when everything else seems to be going wrong.


Streetlight, people
The people who are out at night, searching for meaning, connection, and happiness.


Don't stop!
Never give up, keep pushing forward towards your dreams and goals.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jonathan Cain, Stephen Ray Perry, Neal Joseph Schon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions