Since its release, the song has continued to infiltrate public consciousness due to its use in television advertisements by popular brands such as Heinz, McDonald's, Ford and Samsung. It has been used in films such as Caddyshack and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and was covered in the episode "Journey" of the musical TV series Glee in a mash-up with another Journey song, Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'.
Song information
According to cowriter Steve Perry, the song was heavily influenced by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy and more particularly by bassist leader Phil Lynott. In July 1979, Journey was touring with Thin Lizzy across the United States when Lynott, Perry and Schon decided to share rhyme scheme exercises during a hanging out in Miami. The "basic" work on "the guitar-vocal-guitar-vocal interchange thing that happened between Phil and his lyrics and the guitarist and his arrangements, inspired the Any Way You Want It sorta give and take thing. It’s guitar-voice, guitar-voice, more guitar-guitar-guitar-voice. It be voice-voice and back and forth and that’s something that Neal and I think just instinctually picked up by hanging out with him" commented Perry. Schon and Perry would then rework on the song in the band bus, with Schon on acoustic guitar and Perry for vocals. Lynott's contribution later influenced other songs built on the same scheme such as Stone In Love.
For the studio version, keyboardist Gregg Rolie originally used a mellotron but since it was defective, co-producer Geoff Workman decided to fix the sound by doubling it with Rolie's regular organ in the final mixing, creating the unique sounding background support for the song.
Any Way You Want It
Journey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
She loves to laugh
She loves to sing
She does everything
She loves to move
She loves the lovin' things
Ooh, all night, all night
Oh, every night
So hold tight, hold tight
Ooh baby, hold tight
Oh, she said
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
She said, any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
I was alone
I never knew
What good love could do
Ooh, then we touched
Then we sang
About the lovin' things
Ooh, all night, all night
Oh, every night
So hold tight, hold tight
Ooh baby, hold tight
Oh, she said
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
I said, any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
She said ohh, hold on, hold on, hold on
Oh, she said any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
She said any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Any way you want it
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
The song "Any Way You Want It" by Journey is a fun and upbeat track about being in love and willing to do anything to make the person you're interested in happy. The first verse describes the woman of the singer's affections as someone who loves to have fun and enjoys every moment of life. They share a connection and enjoy singing together, which brings them closer.
The chorus focuses on the idea that the woman in question is the one that matters, and her happiness is the most important thing. The repeated phrase "Any way you want it, that's the way you need it" reinforces this message, suggesting that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to make his partner happy. The second verse reveals that the singer was once lonely, but everything changed when they met this person.
Overall, "Any Way You Want It" is a catchy and positive love song that highlights the importance of making the person you're interested in feel happy and fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Any way you want it
Whatever preferences or choices you have, you can have them and be satisfied with them.
That's the way you need it
You will be fulfilled and satisfied with the options you choose for yourself.
She loves to laugh
She enjoys feeling happy and expresses it through laughter.
She loves to sing
She finds enjoyment in singing and expressing herself through music.
She does everything
She is versatile and enjoys trying new things.
She loves to move
She likes to be active and move her body to music or in other ways.
She loves to groove
She enjoys dancing and moving to a rhythmic beat.
She loves the lovin' things
She appreciates romance and affection in relationships.
Ooh, all night, all night
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm to enjoy the night and all its pleasures.
Oh, every night
This enjoyment can be experienced every night.
So hold tight, hold tight
Encouraging someone to hold onto their partner tightly during intimate or passionate moments.
Ooh baby, hold tight
Affectionate term of endearment telling their partner to hold onto them tightly.
I was alone
Feeling lonely and isolated before experiencing love.
I never knew
They didn't have prior knowledge or experience of love or its benefits.
What good love could do
Discovering how love can bring happiness and fulfillment to their life.
Ooh, then we touched
Describing the initial touch of intimacy and passion between two people.
Then we sang
Referring to expressing love through song, either literally or metaphorically.
About the lovin' things
Expressing affection or romance in their songs or spoken words.
Oh, she said
Quoting the words spoken by their partner.
I said
The artist is quoting their own words.
Ohh, hold on, hold on, hold on
Urging someone to physically hold on to them tightly and not let go.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neal J Schon, Stephen Ray Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakewilson910
Who's listening to this in 2024??? Anyone???
@kirsten7467
of course!
@arnobsonowal8185
🙋
@JohnnyTannerPriest
Always in my car (from Russia with love )😉
@AndrewCFL
I'm always am
@takaorobinson8719
Playing guitar along with the song. That album/cassette was a Christmas present that got played to death on a Sony walkman.
@simplygreysoul4849
That voice... Sometimes God is generous with his gifts...
@estherloske1396
😊💯🔥⚡💜
@davidwilliamson2876
Yes that was a gift. Unfortunately he doesn’t have that voice anymore.
@bobbyisom7605
Neither does Pineda, Augeri, nor anyone who hits those notes night after night. Wears out voice!