At the age of eight he began accordion lessons, and by the time he was in his teens he was playing accordion and piano at parties and in clubs. He also plays guitar and the harmonica. He was a survivor of the Our Lady of the Angels school fire in 1958, of which he escaped unharmed, but saw many of his classmates die.[1] He later graduated from the Juilliard School of Music.
By the mid-70s he had written many songs and released his first record as the Jonathan Cain Band, Windy City Breakdown, in 1976 on Bearsville Records. In 1979, he joined The Babys, appearing on their albums Union Jacks and On The Edge. In 1980 Jonathan left The Babys to join Journey, taking Gregg Rolie's place. Jonathan helped Journey to the top of the charts with his first collaboration, Escape. He would go on to appear on at least 13 other Journey albums and compilations. When singer Steve Perry left Journey in 1987, all of the band's members went their "separate ways". Cain would reunite with his former Babys bandmate, John Waite, to form the band Bad English, which would release two albums before the band's breakup.
He has received two BMI songwriter awards, both for songs co-written with Steve Perry, Open Arms and Who's Cryin Now, and the song When You Love A Woman, which he co-wrote with Perry and Schon, was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Don't Stop Believin'
Jonathan Cain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
c singer in a smokey room
c smell of wine and cheap perfume
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers waitin'
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlights, people
ThereĀ“s just one love
ThereĀ“s just one love
ThereĀ“s just one love
ThereĀ“s just one love
In Jonathan Cain's song "Don't Stop Believin'", the lyrics tell the story of two individuals from different backgrounds who find solace and connection in their shared experiences. The song begins by introducing a small-town girl who is living a lonely life and a city boy who was born and raised in South Detroit. Both of them embark on the midnight train, seeking a change and hoping to find something more meaningful.
As the song progresses, it describes a chance encounter between the small-town girl and the city boy in a smoky room filled with the smell of wine and cheap perfume. Despite their differences, they find a connection and share a smile. The lyrics emphasize that their story is not unique and that there are countless others who are also waiting for something, searching for emotion in the darkness.
The chorus of the song, "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin', streetlights, people," encourages the listener to never give up on their dreams and to hold onto the hope and passion that drives them. The streetlights symbolize the guiding lights in their journey, illuminating their path as they navigate through life's challenges.
Overall, "Don't Stop Believin'" is a song that celebrates the resilience and determination in individuals to never lose hope, even in the face of adversity. It speaks to the universal desire to find meaning, connection, and emotion in our lives, and encourages us to keep pushing forward in pursuit of our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a small town girl
A girl from a simple background and humble beginnings
Livin' in a lonely world
Existing in a world that lacks connection and companionship
She took the midnight train going anywhere
She embarked on a journey with an uncertain destination, seeking new experiences
Just a city boy
A guy who grew up in the bustling city environment
Born and raised in South Detroit
His hometown being in the southern part of Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
He also chose to venture into the unknown, leaving behind his familiar surroundings
c singer in a smokey room
A talented performer singing in a dimly lit, hazy venue
c smell of wine and cheap perfume
The atmosphere filled with the scent of alcohol and inexpensive fragrance
For a smile they can share the night
In order to find happiness and connection, they look to each other for support and companionship
It goes on and on and on and on
The journey of life and its adventures continue indefinitely
Strangers waitin'
Unknown individuals anxiously anticipating something
Up and down the boulevard
Moving along the main street of the city
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Their hidden desires and aspirations being explored under the cover of darkness
Streetlights, people
Symbolizing the presence and interaction of diverse individuals in the urban environment
Livin' just to find emotion
Existing with the sole purpose of experiencing deep feelings and connections
Hidin', somewhere in the night
Concealing their true selves and aspirations amidst the mysterious darkness
Don't stop believin'
Continue to have faith and trust in oneself and the future
Hold on to that feelin'
Keep hold of the positive emotions and optimism
ThereĀ“s just one love
Love is a singular, powerful force that unites all
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Snickerdoodle2269
Jonathan Cain and Steve Perryās writing has always impacted me heavily in my life. God bless you Jonathan and thank you so much for not giving up. I lost both my parents I know itās hard.
@mapalmour
After my daughter passed in 2013. I wrote a song on the piano. I could hear the song in my spirit and the melody just began to flow out of my hands. I could hear the lyrics in my head. I knew my daughter was with me. I could feel her. At the end of the song I kept hearing Journey. Didnāt know why. Sure enough it was the very end of Faithfully. It was relentless. The last lyrics of my song are ā Iām forever yoursāā-Faithfully. A couple of days later God the Father revealed to me that my song was a love letter from Him to me. I titled the song. āFrom the Father.ā
Jonathan Cain your testimony is such a confirmation that it was the Fatherās voice I was hearing all along.ā¤
Thank you Lord for the beautiful song you gave us. My favorite song of all time of course!
@tbone3972
Jonathan Cane is powerful, his father is powerful, his lyrics are meaningful, be faithful(ly)& God is powerful so donāt stop believing.
@rainallen1934
God is absolutely so good, even when we don't understand, Jesus was there, our/my God was there all the time!!! What a awesome powerful testimony, praise the Lord!!!!!!!
@IAm2nd
Thanks for watching
@KA-cj8xj
Oh Wow, those songs have touched me so deeeply in my life, and are always on my playlists. No wonder, since theyāre truly from the heart of God. Praise our Glorious Loving Father in Heaven! Bless you John for sharing.
@GodsgalMN
OMGoodness! Those songs by Journey that I grew up on, all make sense now when I hear Jonathan's story!!! Wow! God was working on me too. I didn't give my life to the Lord until I was in my forty's. Now in my sixty's, my heart is grateful for every step that Jesus guided me through. PTL! šš¼
Ty Jonathan for giving testimony to our Lord Jesus. God bless you!
@k.popper2620
John's earthly father was a very wise man....what a beautiful story! What beautiful faith!
@HolySpirit33
Bro. Johnathan I am grateful to God for you. Thanks for obedience to the Way Truth Life of Jesus Christ Son of the Living God Amen
@ButterflyMama
What a touching story. I love getting to know the meaning behind the songs. Thank you for sharing. Iāve had a close relationship with God but Iām struggling since my only child passed away. How could God take such an innocent child? He had a lifetime full of joy but also physical pain. I know heās not suffering anymore but it hurts so bad. Your music in Journey brings me such joy on dark days. Thank you š