The late-1970s arrival of Eddie Van Halen quickly eclipsed Schon's bravado, giving rise to a new era of the technically facile rock guitar virtuoso. Nonetheless, Schon has secured a place as a respected and influential blues rock guitarist.
Besides numerous albums with Journey, his work also includes a pair of albums with keyboardist Jan Hammer, short-term collaborations with Sammy Hagar (HSAS and Planet Us) and Paul Rodgers, stints with Bad English (which also featured Journey’s Jonathan Cain and Deen Castronovo and Jonathan Cain's former Babys bandmates John Waite and Ricky Phillips) and Hardline (which also featured Deen Castronovo). Even as Journey’s latest lineup plays to a still-faithful body of fans, Schon is immersed in side projects such as Piranha Blues (1999) and "Black Soup Cracker" a funk outfit that features former Prince associates Rosie Gaines and Michael Bland, and most recently Soul SirkUS with Jeff Scott Soto.
Neal Schon can be heard on three tracks on Michael Bolton's The Hunger, with the Schon sound most recognizable on "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". Schon's style can best be characterized as aggressively soulful, taking obvious inspiration from 1960s-era soul singers such as Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, and blending them with blindingly fast bluesy runs similar to Johnny Winter and Alvin Lee.
Schon currently endorses Gibson guitars, and has a signature Les Paul model, but also uses Paul Reed Smith guitars. In the late 1980s, Schon manufactured and played his own line of guitars.
What You Want
Neal Schon 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 to groove
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 lyrics of Neal Schon's "Any Way You Want It" describe a woman who is free-spirited and enjoys life to the fullest. The repetition of the phrase "any way you want it" emphasizes the woman's desire to live life on her own terms, embracing different experiences and doing things her own way. She is depicted as someone who loves to laugh, sing, and engage in various activities, implying that she finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. The lines "She loves to move, she loves to groove, she loves the lovin' things" further emphasize her energetic and vibrant nature.
The chorus of the song, with its catchy melody and repetition of "any way you want it," highlights the woman's belief in individual freedom and the importance of living life according to one's own desires and preferences. It suggests that the woman encourages others to embrace their own uniqueness and pursue their passions, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment and self-expression.
The second verse introduces a personal story of the singer, who was previously alone and unaware of the transformative power of love. The lines "I never knew what good love could do" indicate that the singer's perception of love and its potential was limited until the moment they met the woman in question. The touching and singing mentioned in the lyrics symbolize the emotional connection and shared experiences that love has brought into the singer's life.
The repeated phrase "hold tight, hold tight" suggests a sense of urgency and the singer's desire to hold onto the newfound love and the happiness it brings. It indicates a recognition of the preciousness of the connection and a willingness to cherish and nurture it. The woman, once again, affirms the idea that love should be experienced and expressed freely, without restrictions or predefined expectations.
Overall, the lyrics of "Any Way You Want It" celebrate individuality, personal freedom, and the power of love to transform one's life. The song encourages listeners to embrace their unique desires and pursue happiness on their own terms while fostering meaningful connections with others. It serves as an anthem of liberation and a reminder to embrace life's joys and the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
She loves to laugh
She adores laughing
She loves to sing
She has a passion for singing
She does everything
She engages in a variety of activities
She loves to move
She enjoys being active
She loves to groove
She takes pleasure in dancing
She loves the lovin' things
She appreciates affectionate gestures
Ooh, all night, all night
For the entire night
Oh, every night
Every single night
So hold tight, hold tight
Hold on firmly
Ooh baby, hold tight
My dear, hold on firmly
Oh, she said
Oh, she expressed
I was alone
I was by myself
I never knew
I had no awareness
What good love could do
The positive impact that love can have
Ooh, then we touched
Then, we made physical contact
Then we sang
Then, we expressed through singing
About the lovin' things
About the affectionate aspects
I said, any way you want it
I stated, whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
She said ohh, hold on, hold on, hold on
She expressed, ohh, wait, wait, wait
Oh, she said any way you want it
Oh, she voiced whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
She said any way you want it
She voiced whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
That's the way you need it
That's the way it's necessary for you
Any way you want it
Whichever way you desire
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neal J Schon, Stephen Ray Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ArisAlamanos
This is like all genres of rock music blended into one track. Pure genius.
@chaskillcode
I dig this tune....3 great vocalists, 3 great musicians.....cool vibe.
love the bridge....
@heavenin74
can't stop listening to this! this is how rock is done, that chorus is genius!
@terrifourshoes3057
If you're going to listen to pop, then this is the ultimate. Superb vocals, drumming bass and guitar playing. It doesnt get any better.
@DebbieAdamslive
You better know that Neal and Dean Castrovnova are the best couple yo!
@yabo2424
Neil Schon is brilliant !! Mendoza is phenomenal what a great voice !
@talibe801
Castronovo is an amazing drummer.
@stephenlineker1921
Couldn't agree more
@kgeorge4083
Another fine tune for Neal to show off his guitar wizardry along with the best rhythm section a guitarist could ask for. Each of them can sing, play and write great tunes with a huge catalog of some very awesome music.
@helmutbiehl2454
Wow, what a tune! So much driving groove! So fine harmonies! So wonderful vocals from all of them!