Don't Stop Believin'
Lea Michele and Cory Monteith 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
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!
The lyrics of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, which Lea Michele and Cory Monteith covered in the TV series Glee, are about two people from different worlds who meet on a train going anywhere. They are both looking for something more in life, something that they cannot find in their current circumstances. The lyrics convey a sense of searching and longing, a desire to escape the monotony of daily life and find adventure and love. The singer in the smokey room represents the dream that they are pursuing, the goal that they hope to reach.
The chorus of the song, "Don't stop believin', Hold on to that feeling," encourages listeners to persevere and to never give up on their dreams. It speaks to the idea that the journey may be long and difficult, but the destination is worth it. The song suggests that by holding on to the feeling of hope and optimism, we can overcome the challenges that come our way and find happiness in the end.
Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Stop Believin'" reflect a universal theme of striving for something better, of never giving up on our dreams, and of finding joy in the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a small town girl
The story starts with a girl from a small town who has big dreams.
Livin' in a lonely world
She feels alone in a life that doesn't offer much hope for her dreams.
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
She takes a risky step to pursue her dreams by leaving without any clear direction.
Just a city boy
Another person enters the story, a boy from the city who also has big dreams.
Born and raised in South Detroit
He's from a place where people are tough and work hard to survive.
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
He also takes a risky step to pursue his dreams by leaving with an uncertain future.
A singer in a smokey room
They both end up in a place that's not glamorous, where dreams might fade away.
The smell of wine and cheap perfume
The environment is dingy and the people are seeking solace through alcohol.
For a smile they can share the night
Despite the circumstances, they find joy in each other's company and enjoy the moment.
It goes on and on and on and on
The night feels endless, like it's just delaying the inevitable problems they'll have to face.
Strangers waiting
The next day, they're both still in the same place, surrounded by strangers with their own stories.
Up and down the boulevard
They're on a busy road, seeing different people living their own lives.
Their shadows searchin' in the night
Despite their different backgrounds, they're both still searching for something elusive in this place.
Streetlight, people
They find common ground in the common struggle to find hope and meaning in their lives.
Livin' just to find emotion
Their search isn't just for basic survival, but for something more meaningful that gives life its color.
Hidin' somewhere in the night
They don't know where their search will take them or where they'll find what they're looking for.
(Don't stop) Don't stop believin'
Despite the odds, they try to hold onto hope, to not give up on their dreams or themselves.
Hold on to that feelin'
They know that hope can be a fleeting emotion, but they try to hold onto it to keep their spirits up.
Streetlight, people
They cling to the hope of finding meaningful connections with others who are also searching for something more.
Don't stop believin'
The song ends with a reminder to keep trying, even when things seem tough or overwhelming.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Jonathan Cain, Stephen Ray Perry, Neal Joseph Schon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind