Guitarist HATED Song Till Singer FORCED Him to Play it LIVE & Fans CAME UNGLUED! | Professor of Rock
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 лис 2023
- How I learned to love a song I once hated… Journey and their #1 power ballad Open Arms…But I’m not the only one. Neal Schon the guitarist of Journey also loathed it and refused to play it live for some time. Written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain… Well first of all, et me ask you...Have you ever disliked a song so much, that for most of your life, you just couldn’t stand to listen to it? I’m talking about one of those tracks you always skipped on the album or that had you reaching for the dial when it came on the radio. Sure you have. We’ve all got songs like that. But let me ask you this. Have you ever had a song that you hated, that you later learned to love after hearing it in a different context? Well, today, we’re covering Open Arms by Journey… From their 1981 classic album Escape… I hated it for decades until I was caught off guard and heard it with new ears. And now I love it…Find out what changed my mind and how it became Journey’s biggest song ever even though it was rejected by Jonathan Cain’s 1st band… with interviews with the band members NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Zenni
GET ZENNI Glasses HERE: imp.i279709.net/vn5gLd
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Jeff Kolek, Steve, Anthony Fedora, Craig M, James Smith, Ardashir Lea
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out my Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- Van Halen OU812 Vinyl Album amzn.to/3tLsII2
- The 80s Collection amzn.to/3mAekOq
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store -bit.ly/ProfessorMerch
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out Patron Benefits
bit.ly/ProfessorofRockVIPFan
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpForPremiumContent
bit.ly/Facebook_Professor_of_...
bit.ly/Instagram_Professor_of...
#classicrock #80smusic #vinylstory #journey
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember scratch-and-sniff stickers from back in the day You’ll dig this channel of deep musical nostalgia. Make sure to subscribe below right now. I promise that you are going to love this channel. We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
So as you know, I love all kinds of music. One day you’ll see me geeking out over the genius of the Smiths and the Cure, and another day I’ll wax poetic about Van Halen or Guns N Roses. I love Toto and the Clash. Janet Jackson and Prince. Sinatra and Elvis and on and on. Which is why you find such an eclectic mix of genres and musicians on this channel. I’ve never understood why you have to be trapped in one style of music. Or limit yourself to a decade or two. When I was a kid in the late 80s, I was crazy about hard rock and heavy metal and pretended not to still love Billy Joel and Phil Collins. Then in 7th grade, it was New Wave or bust… even though I was secretly buying Bruce Hornsby and Whitney Houston albums. As I got older I finally realized that I didn’t care what anyone else thought. You like what you like… and you don’t need to pretend or apologize for your taste in music. If I want to listen to Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here and John Denver Take Me Home Country Roads back to back I will.
That being said, everyone has songs and artists that they just don’t care for. Even with wide open minds and ears, sometimes certain songs or artists just don’t resonate with us. For example, when I was growing up, I couldn’t stand the Carpenters. I didn’t like them. But then about 7 years ago I saw the light. I realized what a unique and soul-rapturing voice Karen Carpenter possessed. And now I absolutely love them. Has that ever happened to you? Likewise, I had a similar experience with today’s featured song: Open Arms, by Journey.
Anyone who watches this channel knows that I love Journey. And I consider their 1981 record Escape one of the greatest - Розваги
Poll; What is an artist or band that you HATED for a long time but later learned to appreciate?
Van Morrison
Also John Denver and Blondie
Led Zeppelin
KISS
Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
AC/DC
And believe it or not, Queen
Journey! They were in my &*it list with Styx and REO Speedwagon. I now appreciate all 3 bands.
I'm a 62yr old Black Woman and I love Steve Perry and Journey
I'm 60, and Steve Perry's voice is completely unmatched. He hit notes that others could only dream of hitting.
Steve Perry and John Farnham are my 2 fave singers EVER. BOTH rocked the power ballad. Their voices are unique and amazing, You know ...when a voice hits you in the heart.
@@suzyfarnham3165 Oh yes, exactly.
So true. He could sing the phone book and I'd be entranced. What a voice! :)
68 and they are still one of my favorites. Old, wonderful memories.
Brad Delp certainly could hit those notes...but somehow he flies under the radar.
“Open Arms” was my older brother’s wedding song in 1984. He and his wife were both massive Journey fans. And yes, they’re still together almost 40 years later.
They're still Journeying together, no doubt. 😊
Neal is not Impressed
lucky them! thats amazing
I believe it was everybody's wedding song if the woman had a say back then LOL
Yep, it was my wedding song too back in 1983.
Journey is the ultimate 80's band. Steve Perry has a voice that can cut through all the background clutter and touch your soul.
Now try an album called TRACES, and let me know what you think of Steve Perry's voice in his 70's still great enough to want another one created the same way in his basement!
I can't believe anyone would have been on the fence about any song from Steve Perry , Steve could sing the phone book and have a hit ... One of the most beautiful voices Ever. !!!
One word, TRACES! GREAT ALBUM! PROUD TO HAVE IT ON MY IPOD AND SPOTIFY!
The voice he earned that title!
what´s a phonw book?-- saida gen z
I agree
For me, Open Arms a bittersweet song. When I was a kid I was visiting a cousin and it was time to go. Open Arms was on the radio and my cousin began to dramatically lip sync to it, which made me giggle and we left. That turned out to be the last time I saw him alive. He died a year later from what sounded a lot like AIDS but no one spoke of that in polite company back then. Every time I hear it now there's a mixture of sad and appreciation of the song's beauty.
Oh, I am so sorry. Condolences 💐
Holes in the floor of heaven breaks my spine, and I become a blubbering mess. It was the first song I heard after my grandmother passed away. My wife at the time had just gotten out of the hospital after a car accident where I nearly lost her and my oldest daughter. Ultimately, it cost me the marriage, and all I think of is that time when Steve Wariner and "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" plays.
A Beautiful and heavy memory.
That is so vividly described. 😢😢🫶
@@stevestrohacker8436 For me, it was Knocking On Heavens Door by GnR in 88 when my grandfather passed. It definitely took some time before I could listen to it again, and actually enjoy the song.
One of my favorite bands ever...their songs are so great. If a Journey song comes on, the volume gets turned to max and we're listening (SINGING) until the last note is played.
I felt sorry for Steve Perry because of the interview I saw here on youtube. He said he never really felt like part of the band. HE BROUGHT THEM OUT OF THE STONE AGE!
I saw an interview with Neal and Jon and I lost respect for them. They were smack talking about Steve like catty high school girls. I saw their true colors.
@@brendaelder6 Neal Schon is a total flog?!! I cant stand him. Him and his plastic surgery, Barbie wife, glasses and whining!!
Ozzy Osborne said the same thing about Black Sabbath.
Steve dug Journey out of the quick-sand. He’ll always be the best frontman and lead singer for eternity 🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
No doubt Steve Perry is a phenomenal singer but even he admitted that he done things at the time that he wouldn’t do now like sacked the bass player and drummer, not to mention he didn’t want to tour anymore he’s definitely not a victim
There's a reason Steve Perry's called the Voice, nobody can sing like him. I love to listen to him sing.
No one can sing Open Arms like Steve Perry!! Another great tune by Journey!!! Fond memories!!
I totally agree, but, for me, there's only one voice that I've heard that comes somewhat close. The group's current drummer Deen Castronovo. I found a video here on UA-cam and it was pretty good. "Faithfully", "Who's Crying Now" and "Still They Ride" are a few others that I've found here that are pretty darn good.
Yup, totally agree. No one can sing Open Arms like Steve Perry did. Even the Steve Perry now can not sing it like the Steve Perry then.
Castronovo was fired in 2015 after being convicted of domestic assault(resulting in injury) use of a weapon, ra*e charges, all of which he blames on addiction.
Sounds like you guys haven't heard Journey perform since Arnel Pineda became their singer. Give him a listen, he's amazing.
Journey, especially in the 80s, was phenomenal. I saw the Escape and Frontiers concert tours, and the band was fantastic in concert as well, confirming their undeniable talent and my fan status for life. ❤
Journey was great in the late 70's too! Whattaya thinking?
@cjquinn729 I said, "especially in the 80's." Not dissing the 70's at all. 🙂
Journey w/Steve Perry will always be #1 for me.
Steve Perrys voice on this song transcends you to another world. 'Open Arms' driven by Steve's voice/vocals is breathtaking,
always loved this song!
It’s goosebumps every time.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 aint it just.
I love it in the Heavy Metal movie.
Always kind of made me nauseous.
It's so relatable to not really be fond of a certain song when you're younger, but as you mature, you develop more of an appreciation towards it, and the message it's conveying.
What are some examples for you?
@@ProfessorofRock Probably Lady IN Red, Fairytale of New York, or A Town Called Malice.
Edwin Collins - Girl Like You
Is EXACTLY this song for me! Not because of any great life experience, but just a change of taste with maturity
True that! I’ve had this experience with several artists and bands, and even other forms of entertainment such as books and TV shows.
@@ProfessorofRock or you can maybe relate to my burden. I like almost every single thing Bob Dylan ever put out. I think he is one of the worst singers I've ever heard, but his songs say something, and I just don't care, that he can't sing. I love his words.
Open arms was one of my favorites. No one can match Steve Perry’s voice!
Brad Delp could hit the notes too. But yes Steve Perry is amazing!
I can't even imagine someone not liking Open Arm's. It has always been one of my favorite ballads from Journey.
At the time I felt it was too 'schmaltz-y' (it was just a 'last dance' anthem with low disco lights) but now I appreciate it just as the Prof does.
Journey is all time. No question. Neil Schon is a guitar icon and Steve Perry’s voice….will never be duplicated (shout out to Mr. Pineda). Your comment about not being stuck in one musical genre. So true. People used to complain about my mix tapes because it would go from Metallica to Nazareth to Steve Earle (who needs an episode) and then to Cyndi Lauper. Great music is everywhere! Keep up the great work Adam. To coin an old phrase, you make our day!
My mom is mostly stuck in hip hop and R&B but I learned to appreciate all kinds of different musical genres because I might miss out on something totally cool otherwise.
I made my own personal series no love no intentions of mixtapes that's about the way it went just all genres they got lost in the moves somewhere in the shuffle. But yeah I'm mixing the genres same style of songs kind of different Generations the best.
Same here, Janis Joplin, the DefLeppard and Madonna then Genesis, Donna Summer and Jim Croce. Nobody "gets it". Good music is good music, no matter what genre.
Sounds like you borrowed one of my tapes! 🤣🤣🤷♂️
Ha! My playlists exactly!
The first time I heard
Open Arms was in an animated film called Heavy Metal. My best friend bought the soundtrack, and we cruised our little hometown listening to it over and over again. I couldn't get enough of that song or Journey. That's when I became a fan. Does anyone else remember this film? It came out in 1981.
I remember it. That's actually where I first heard Open Arms. Loved the song right away.
Heavy Metal was an awesome film (based on the Heavy Metal Magazine) with an absolutely stunning soundtrack -
Radar Rider (Jerry Riggs)
Veteran of the Psychic Wars (Blue Oyster Cult)
True Companion (Donald Fagan)
Heartbeat (Jerry Riggs)
Blue Lamp (Stevie Nicks)
Open Arms (Journey)
Reach Out (Cheap Trick)
Taking a Ride (Don Felder)
Queen Bee (Grand Funk)
I Must Be Dreaming (Cheap Trick)
Crazy (Nazareth)
All of You (Don Felder)
Prefabricated (Trust)
Heavy Metal (Sammy Hagar)
The Mob Rules (Black Sabbath)
Through Being Cool (Devo)
Working in the Coal Mine (Devo)
Talk about some of the best artists of the 70s and 80s...
Yep. Watched it in the theater...
Hey man ,you got anymore of that plutonium nyborg ,man
I would have to say that Open Arms, perhaps especially for girls, was that major coming of age song we look back on. Our first love and all the emotions that came with it. It is very likely one of the most significant songs of my youth, and when I hear it today, after 40 years with my husband, it still brings back every single emotion. Man, the 80s were the BEST time to be young. Steve Perry will forever be that ONE VOICE you can never forget. I often wonder if these men realize the effect they had on so many lives.
I agree the 80s were the BEST time to be a teenager. So many great memories falling in love and even breaking up. I miss those days, no cell phones and waiting for the phone to ring. Running to answer the phone with my heart pounding, hoping its the boyfriend. I wish I could go back in time. Thats where I would go. Just before my first love and hearing Journey for the first time also.
@kathybrockman8363 yes!! I totally agree!!
Without Steve Perry, Journey couldn't be Journey.
I agree and his voice has just gotten better with age very few artists can claim that.
In the last 10 years I have come to greatly appreciate Glen Campbell. It's not that I didn't care for his music before, but I was neutral. Now, I see what an incredible vocalist, musician and songwriter he was. In a lot of ways, as I've gotten older (I'm 58 now) my musical tastes have expanded greatly across many genres of music.
Wichita Lineman is just…one of the greatest songs period. Glad to hear this.
he was a guitar great , played with "the wrecking crew" awesome session musician.
Glenn was right there with Paul McCartney , Brian Wilson, John Fogerty, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone. Smokey Robinson and others I can't think of.
Glen, part of "the wrecking crew."
He's on a lot of pop songs you'd never think like Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night."
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 The clip of his solo performance of Wichita Lineman from the Craig Kilborn Show is as good as it gets.
Besides that song, he talks "Wrecking Crew" history like replacing Brian Wilson in the Beach Boys on tour while Brian was in rehab.
ua-cam.com/video/eXfNTEi2CIc/v-deo.html
I got into Journey in 1989 when someone at work did a mix tape for me of rock and AOR. I am so grateful that I learned to love a band who never had any real success in Britain in the seventies and eighties, despite being massive in America. Ironic that they went on to have a resurgence in popular and critical acclaim at least in part as a result of their inclusion in Glee almost fifteen years ago. I understand it was meant to be a mickey take. Seems Journey have had the last laugh. There are not enough superlatives to describe how good their music is.
So true. And some of their best music never gets radio play.
I’m surprised they didn’t hit in Britain.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980Britain has often been very resistant to American rock and AOR with some exceptions. No rhyme or reason to it but Journey were overlooked and not played on radio, except on specialist rock shows that few listened to, hence they did not reach a wide audience. BBC Radio 1 airplay was vital for a hit but they never made it onto the coveted playlist.
@@eightiesmusic1984 America, on the other hand, had often been very resistant to British new wave, at least until MTV promoted those artists.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 true as well. I’m shocked how many Americans don’t know who Joy Division is even when they’re wearing the album cover.
Steve Perry’s voice is hard to beat. I purchased the greatest hit double adult for my car and play it all the hit. Girl can’t help it is my favorite. I also saw them two times in Long Beach, California. Before the concert was over I knew I had to go again and I did by myself. One of the best concerts I’ve been to and I’ve seen over 50 concerts in the 80’s.
Check out the hilarious band, "Rock Sugar." The singer taught himself to sing by imitating Steve Perry's vocals on "Don't Stop Believing". His imitation is so perfect Perry sued them because he thought they had actually lifted his vocal track to use in one of their mashups. Twist: Even though Rock Sugar DIDN'T steal the track, the court ordered them to stop performing that song because the imitation was so indistinguishable from Perry's that it was copyright infringement. ua-cam.com/video/Mr4HffbAUTk/v-deo.html
To be honest, I was not a big Journey fan in the 80's, but now in my 50's I can't get enough of Steve Perry!
When everyone across the music industry dubs someone "The Voice", you know they are loved and respected. Steve Perry is an amazing vocalist and a gem of a human being. Loved him from the first time I heard "Lights" on my local FM album rock station KNCN aka C101.
Thanks for sharing your... Journey. 😊
His voice is powerful enough to blast through mountains.
Steve Perry had me at Lights. Open Arms is another beautiful ballad and Steve Perry sells it. Love him❤❤❤
Songs in cinema can really affect your feelings about the music itself...the movie scene and the music melt into one and the emotion... This womans work by Kate Bush in the movie She's having a baby with Kevin Bacon.. that kills me every time.
Exactly
Journey isn't Journey without Perry
Jon Bon Jovi dubbed him The Voice and was the first to introduce him as such😊
Steve Perry is the greatest male vocalist ever. Any song he sang was so amazing that no one else could copy his singing style. Has anyone ever heard a Journey song remade? I think the reason is that Steve Perry set the barrier so high that anyone who tries to sing his songs would simply crash and burn. I fell in love with an ex girlfriend listening to Escape, Frontiers and Raised On Radio albums with a dash of the Supremes Touch Me In The Morning, My World Is Empty Without You, Do You Know and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
To be 15, turning 17 in 1981 and Escape really shined the light on being a high school kid. MTV, record stores and the Jersey shore you heard Escape everywhere and on every boom box. Steve Perry’s voice lit up the heart.
Morey's Pier, Wildwood N.J.
Without Steve perry there's no journey
I saw Journey in 1975 at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. Journey had just released their first album entitled Journey. Journey formed after Gregg Rollie and Neil Schon left Santana. A lady that I worked with in 1973 told me she saw new band called Journey. She was from the San Fransisco Bay area. I have on LP are Look Into The Future, and Next. on CD I have Journey , Look Into The Future and Next. Perry ruined the sound of Journey. If your like the Steve Perry Journey? You have your likes and dislikes. I do too.
@@garyoconnordbaairrepair7775 I saw Journey open for ELP on July 31st, 1977 in the Seattle Center Coliseum, they were trying out Robert Fleischman and some of my classmates who were there liked the first three songs they played which was the progressive Journey with Gregg Rolie on vocals (co-founded Santana and co-founded Journey) but then Robert Fleischann comes out and they did new songs, he is a very good vocalist but some did not like it. We were at an ELP Concert after all and I met a beautiful girl who stayed with me the whole concert and I stupidly didn't get her phone number. Seriously dude? A beautiful girl who likes progressive rock and you didn't at least try to get her number? I say to myself. Not many like her during the Disco era. I swear I would kick my 18-year-old ass if I could go back. Her name was Anne but I digress.
Then some dude named Steve Perry came along 5 months after and that is the Journey most people know. The first album with Steve, Infinity had Gregg Rolie doing lead on Are You Feelin' That Way Too and Anytime, the latter I believe Rober Fleschman wrote. The second album had Gregg doing the lead on a song or two also. He set the record straight that he was not competing with Steve Perry or did he feel threatened as he already had his hands full with keyboards and Steve Perry was a welcome burden relief. He also chose Jonathan Caine to replace himself as he had been go go go for more than a decade and wanted time off to start a family. Gregg Rolie's voice had the right drive for the songs he sang while Steve Perry was already in the band and I think he was underrated on the Hammond Organ. When Santana played Soul Sacrifice at Woodstock you could get a hint of his Hammond prowess, yes, Gregg Rolie sang all the early Santana Songs such as Black Magic Woman and was also the only vocalist on early Journey Albums.
I would have agreed with your opinion, but arnel happened. And he is SO Much closer to the sound of Steve Perry that even Steve Perry likes him and has said that publicly!!!!!!!
Also, as a foster child I was at that place for a journey concert back in the 70's arnel is a good replacement! And a great human being!
"Open Arms" is definitely a classic song from Journey-It's one of the best power ballads of all time.
Been a Journey fan and went to a concert in 1979. Blown away by ‘the voice’ live. “Too Late” was fantastic and of course “Lovin, touchin, squeezin”
I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee-the capitol of country music. Like you, Professor, I liked all music genres EXCEPT country music. I was surrounded by it and I was grossed out. My great-uncle even teased me by saying he invited Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner to sing at my high school graduation.
But fast forward to 9/11. I had just moved to Los Angeles, California. I didn't know what drove me to do this, but I tuned into the country music station as I cleaned my house. When I listened to Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turnin'?", my heart just melted. I see now why people love country music. Alan's song was so simple, personal, and it allowed you to feel what you're thinking but don't speak about.
I still don't love country music today. In fact, it makes me sad that today's country music doesn't have the soul like it did in the past; but now, I can appreciate it.
Still They Ride is one of my all time favorites. That guitar solo gets me every time.
I fill so blessed to have grown up in the 80’s and to have experienced many Journey Concerts, the band was truly incredible live and Steve Perry never disappointed.
Open legs is what it really did lots of kids were born when this song was played
LoL.
Glad you came around! 😊Open Arms is one of the most beauitful ballads ever written (in my opinion, of course). It's the 6/8 timing, flatting the 3rd in the 4 chord (to make it minor) and other wonderful chord progressions, and so much more that makes it so special. And really so unique compared to a lot of the chord choices in many rock ballads at that point in time.
It blows me away that Journey didn't have a number one hit! Open Arms played at all the dances. They were huge in our area!
I do love this song!
I love Journey. Most of all I love Steve Perry! ♥️
For me, "Still They Ride" is in another stratosphere! The live in Tokyo version is unmatched! Steve seems like something AI created, it's so unreal!!!
And he had the flu!
Would LOVE for you to do more episodes on The King! ELVIS!!
Talk about unmatched!
And if Elvis had lived into the 80's, I know in my heart of hearts, he would have LOVED Steve Perry!
Just like the rest of us, he loved great music and great voices as well.
Loved the episode!
-Colleen 🙂
I had the same experience with The Carpenters as you. In high school we always made fun of them because their songs were so corny but several years ago I realized what an incredible voice Karen Carpenter had and her brother’s arrangements were pure genius.
Mother Father is still my favorite Journey song. No topping the combination of guitar solos and vocals, especially the angelic falsetto vocals of Perry at the end. Just search live version Mother Father on UA-cam, it’s mind blowing good
Same… and Faithfully
There's an interview with Jonathan Cain talking about Mother, Father. He says Steve did that song in one take. SP is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of rock vocalists.
I agree with you 100 percent when you say that, vocally, Steve Perry is better than Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury. I adore all three, but Steve is the best!
Totally. SP, is heavily underrated
I am 57 and I don’t remember music before Journey. Seems like they were always part of my life.
In my first year of marching band, way back in the yesteryear of 2004, our field show that year was Journey- a band I somehow had never heard of. It consisted of Lights, Don't Stop Believing, Any Way You Want it, and ended with Open Arms. Continuing through my high school career, we did other, popular music, and anything I was familiar with, as an adult, I cannot stand to listen to anymore after performing the same songs every day for 4-5 months of the year. Except for Journey. Absolutely fell in love with them, and have been a fan ever since.
What grade were you in that year?
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 8th, I think? That sounds right.
As people get older they recognize new music and the talent the people had to create it. They appreciate things more than when they were younger. Peoples taste constantly evolves.
It would be interesting to hear more from Jonathan Cain & how he got into the Babys, then Journey & how that resulted in Bad English. He is such a gifted song writer to be able to produce great music with 2 different bands & then bring various members to form a 3rd band & finally reach #1 on Billboard!🎉😊
I have to say John Denver. I was a Rocker. First album whole Lotta love From Led Zeppelin, it may not be the name of that album, but you get it. Then, as these years went by, I heard the song sunshine from John Denver. I had lost my wife of 35 years and it just made sense. Now I listen to more of his songs, like country road. But, Journey, Scorpions and all those heavy metal bands of the 70s and 80s still hold my heart. Thank you for you show. I love it. You break down all the songs of my youth and adulthood.
Bad English was a phenomenal band, but it was a band that most Journey fans don't know about and or simply just don't want to remember.
I love this song… maybe it’s because I’m a woman but it truly does show case Steve’s voice. He definitely is in the top 5 of all time best voices. Especially when it comes to going to the higher ranger. Journey deserves being in the top 5 of all time best bands especially out of the 80s
Great video , I grew up with Journey , my folks were huge fans and I always had a spot in my heart for them even in my metal phase through junior high ! Thanks for the content , every time I think of a band or song , I look you up and you have it , thanks for being awesome 👍
Rock on!
When I was a teenager I was stuck hard on country music, I was trying to find my identity and I wasn't solid enough in myself to be able to widen my experiences. Then my sister BEGGED me to listen to ONE song from her rock collection, and that was Every Rose has it's thorns. After that I couldn't get enough. Journey is my absolute favorite though, and I've ALWAYS loved open arms, but I'm also a sucker for ballads.
Open Arms was huge here in Canada at that time. I remember going to dance bars and the dance floor was packed whenever 'Open Arms' came on. Journey is one of those bands that have music you can still listen to at any age and any musical era.
There were many songs in the 80s that I absolutely hated and yet I pretty much love them now. I think when you hear a lot of the garbage that there is today, you suddenly realize that you had something pretty special after all.
As I left home for the US Navy, going through boot camp being emptied of who I was, Escape was the album as I went to A School and then Nuclear Power School that was huge in allowing me to “escape” in who I was becoming. I absolutely love this album for that reason!
I play clarinet and for many years I was in a community concert band with whom I toured twice in Europe. For our Germany/Denmark trip we played a Journey medley arrangement, which included Open Arms, I remember playing it as soulfully as I could with Steve Perry as the guide in my mind. 'When You Love A Woman' is my favourite ballad and his voice is just 🥰
Also a fellow clarinet player here, we used to play don't stop believing in school band and it was always sooo fun to play! I always thought wheel in the sky would be a fun song to play, I need to find some sheet music to it 😂
@@benamisai-kham5892 yeah man, Wheel In The Sky is a great tune. An underrated gem, in my opinion. I love singing along to it.
You nailed this like you were in my head and lived my youth! Journey and Steve Perry will always bring me to my knees....they are the only artist that I will stop and listen to the exclusion of everything else...a soul healing session everytime.
Yes we lived in the best time in music!! Thank you for reminding me ! What a buzz
Thanks for including Brad Delp in that pantheon of all-time R&R vocalists.
I was so sure that he was about to name Paul Rodgers, and then he trailed off. So, I will mention Paul Rodgers as a top 5 rock singer. For me, it was Cummings, Rodgers, and Plant.
Yes I loved Brad's singing!
Actually heard this song for the first time on the "Heavy Metal" soundtrack, and I thought immediately that this could be a huge hit for them. "Believing" and "Who's Crying" were already a staple on rock radio in NYC at the time.
Then it was finally released, and it like was stuck at #2 for a few weeks. One of the rare times I got a "told you so" correct.
Can you believe they never had a #1 song? Blows my mind.
That song made me cry for many years. I don't cru anymore listening to it. But it still touches me.
There never was and never will be a voice like Steve Perrys.
As a Perry fan, check out an album called TRACES Steve Perry at 74 recorded it in his home basement studio!
@@user-xk5bk5hn5v I have. I love it. He doesn't sound as good as in his youth but still sounds amazing
Steve Perry is one of the GREATEST vocalists of all time!
I absolutely love Journey!
Seeing many videos on this channel now, I can see Adam and I have a lot in common.
As The O’Jays sang in 1975, “I love music. Any kind of music.”
I loved this episode of The Professor of Rock! You hit the nail directly on the head! These songs from Journey brings out a heavenly and nostalgic feeling! Steve Perry and Journey wrote songs that will last forever and Open Arms is no exception!
I loved this song as a kid and I still love it now. I loved it even before I had ever experienced true love. It's just so beautiful. Glad you're on board now. :)
Thanks for listening
Me too... my first experience and longtime love of it was on the Heavy Metal movie soundtrack.
It’s short and sweet.
@@ProfessorofRockplease change your ad setting Professor...every 5 minutes a YT duo of ads! C'mon now...
Open Arms is the song that turned my Mom into a fan of Journey!! She had never heard of them until my oldest brother sang Open Arms at a bowling banquet!! She talked about the song the next day!! I told her who they were!! She then made me buy the album at a local record store!! That was my first Journey album!! To this day, I still list Escape as one of my Must Own albums and I probably always will!! Such an awesome song and band!!
I've been made fun of for years - but I'll never waiver. There is no better voice in rock history than Steve Perry! On the question of grown to love, I could never get into Peter Frampton, but have a totally different outlook today. One of the best live shows I've ever seen was Frampton, and I'm not just talking about his traditional gadgets - the whole show was electric.
The voice, it just can’t be replicated, duplicated or replaced without getting into an argument. But the adding of Cain to the lineup made it click right. Not knocking Steve or Neal these two icons wow😮. High praise both.
This was my favorite song at 14 , I heard it laying in bed one morning using the radio as an alarm clock. It woke me up that morning and set the tone for the day, it put me in like a soothing twilight state and I've loved it ever since. It's such a dreamy piece of music I skipped lunch that week and bought Journey Escape which was just great all over.
You know, I should set this as my wake up song.
If memory serves, "Open Arms" was my second Journey song (the first being "Faithfully"). It didn't occur to 3-year-old me to either like or hate it. However, I'm not surprised to learn about Neal's loathing of it.I later learned that Steve obligated Journey to cut the song from their set. Now, I may have thought it would've been Neal who made that push.
Incidentally, near the beginning of the video, Adam, you mentioned resisting listening to Carpenters. Yesterday (11/24/23), I took delivery on CD of the *Close to You* album. Thirty years ago in December, I heard that album with teen ears and was motivated by the closing cut ("Another Song") and Karen's drumming to make my third pass at trying to be a drummer myself. Everyone else was into Nirvana, Green Day, Metallica, Snoop Dog, Tupac - and I wanted no part of it. I switched to the guitar and bass in the upper 90s, but it began with Richard and Karen.
Karen’s drumming skills were impeccable!
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Her drum tracks were actually replaced by a session drummer for their studio work.
The Carpenters were phenomenal! Before reading about Karen's eating disorder, their music was only background music to me. By the age of 30, over twenty years ago, I can freely admit that Karen was undeniably the voice of the 1970's rock, possibly ever.
Don't forget that "Goodbye to Love" was the first rock power ballad ever recorded, and Tony Peluso's guitar solos were awesome.
Karen had the most beautiful calming voice ever, in my opinion. Roy Orbison has the same effect on me.
There was a girl named Linda that was pretty popular.....
Another classic. Steve's voice is just damn amazing. Open Arms is an amazing song and always has been. I was a teenager and it was me and my gf's song. 😂😂😂
I just couldn't get the lullaby aspect of Open Arms out of my head no matter what. Professor, you've got to listen to the new album by Hugo's Voyage called Inception. It's a fabulous tribute to Perry-era Journey, and Hugo sounds very much like Mr. Perry in certain phrases! Best Journeyesque album since Raised on Radio...
The Hugo's Voyage track "Don't Want to Live Without Your Love" totally cribs the same chord progression as Don't Stop Believin'. They used to just be a Journey cover band. I'm glad they decided to record their own material, though.
I have to look up Hugo’s Voyage. 🧐
I absolutely love this song! I remember listening to this as a kid but for some reason I completely misunderstood the lyrics of the chorus. (Keep in mind I was 6 when it came out) I thought it said “here I am with broken arms”. I have told people about this mistake and like good friends do, they harass me about it every time the song comes on. It’s a good thing I can laugh at myself. 😂
Made my day..thnx😂
Now, this makes me crack up. 😂
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I also though the lyrics to You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive were “you spin me right round like a raccoon baby” I can’t say I was an intelligent child. 😳
@@sariahut1 You spin me ruh-roh baby…
It lays my heart open every time I hear it. That was my time in high school. I went to see Journey on their Frontiers Tour....AMAZING.
For me, the skipped Journey song was "Mother, Father." I saw an interview with Schon and Smith talking about the song made me go back and listen in a different mindset, now it's one of my favorite Journey songs...
I’ve always said Steve Perry is the best! My opinion is Very few humans can compare to his vocals, I don’t know of any names yet LOL
And he is as good or better live! And Don't Stop Believing is the biggest song of all time in the history of music!!! I was so happy for Steve and Journey when I heard this last week! So well deserved! Love love love Steve Perry THe Voice!!❤❤❤
Love, much love for Journey! Agree, Steve Perry's vocals 😊 are the best!
Journey was my first concert at the age of twelve. I've always loved Open Arms and always will. I was the proud owner of the Journey Escape game for Atari. Yes, Steve Perry is the absolute GOAT.
Oh, I forgot about that Atari game!
Ever since Journey got into the R&RHOF I bacame aware of the fact that there a lot of individuals out there that HATE Journey, especially their balllads! It baffles me to the bone. I have loved this band ever since I first heard them, and Open Arms was the first song I heard from them back in 1980!
Yes. There are a lot of haters. Don't know why!
Sure, they can be cheesy, but the delicious kind of cheese. These guys have actual talent.
I was at that concert in Houston at the Summit, that was filmed by MTV
One of my favorites. I was with a girl that has become a life long friend to my wife and I.
It will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thanks for featuring Open Arms
Nobody made memories like Steve Perry! Memories that ALWAYS bring smiles and amazing feelings to one’s heart…
Wow, what an incredible fountain of emotions that erupted here. Thank you for sharing. I have several, not just songs, but bands like Green Day or Smashing Pumpkins that I originally didn't like but have really grown on me. Gaining new appreciation for something that has always been there is the theme.
THanks!
Green Day was another acquired taste for me.
As an 80's kid I hated Everybody Wants To Rule The World and now I absolutely love it! I'm not exactly sure what I didn't like about it but about five years ago I heard it on the radio and fell in love.
I had a similar experience. The fact that it was the first song that came to everyone’s mind when I asked them about 80s music made me write the song off as overrated. But then when I listened to it again, I remembered the magic of it and changed my mind.
I am70 and I still love to hear Journey especially Steve Perry!
You should listen to an album called TRACES by a 74 year old Steve Perry!
Steve Perry's voice broke me, so beautiful truly a gift from heaven...for the single We Are The World, in a recording studio with the biggest named artist of the time I'd wait for Steve Perry's part...
In January of 1980 I bought The Babys ‘Union Jacks’ album and I absolutely loved it. Apparently Journey did as well. ‘Union Jacks’ is one of the most underrated rock albums of all time in my humble opinion. So I was devastated to hear in late 1980/early 1981 that The Babys had broken up. I was also a big Journey fan at the time so seeing Jonathon Caine have success with them, did help to lesson the sting of The Babys breakup a bit.
Goodness, Professor, your musical journey sounds a lot like mine! Lol! I had many songs I shelved because I wasn't into that genre of music or I kept my love of others under wraps because people wouldn't understand. By the time I was in my later teens, I realized I didn't care what people thought of my personal taste; I never needed their permission anyway😊. I did change my mind about Simply Red's I Keep Holding On and that was thanks to your deep dive into the song, Prof!
Recently I had my mind changed about Firefall's Just Remember I Love You. I had heard that song almost all of my life but I'd never, ever really listened to it. I could sing the chorus and I knew evey twist and turn of the music, but I'd never listened to the lyrics. About 3 weeks ago, I'd been in the midst of an emotional funk and on a day I was especially low as I was driving home from a frustrating trip to the store. That song came on and for the first time ever, I listened to the lyrics. It felt directed and personal and just like a messege sent. I've been singing it every day this last month and it really does comfort me😊
Just Remember I Love You is a beautiful song. I'm glad you came around. 😊
Had the same experience with Close to You by the Carpenters.
Almost the same thing happened with Foreigner over the hit song “I Want To Know What Love Is.” I even heard one of the band’s members say that he didn’t feel like they were still a Rock band. What craziness!
In grade school when that song came out I wrote My Own lyrics I titled it Broken Arms I think one of the verses went "My Life Choices weren't so great ..so now I'm standing here with .......broken arms .." 😂 but now you're right it just punches a hole in my chest crazy how that happens ..
LOL ..... same
And his other hit: "Don't stop buh-leedin'! Hold on to the filling.
When you told your story about Journey's Open Arms, I can relate to it because it is a song that I got sick of but decades later that is no longer true. I watched a documentary on the Bee Gees and they were talking about how all of society seemed to get sick of them but that Barry Gibb could perform with other people and sound just like himself and people made those songs #1 while boycotting him in the Bee Gees. People are strange.
I'm 72, and I love coming to these rock channels. They bring back memories of a cool period.
From the first time I heard this song I loved it. I found it to be soothing and emotional.
In Mexico, in Guadalajara in particular, "Open Arms" became very popular. On every school dance they played it many times side by side with "Reasons" from "Earth, Wind & Fire". Those times in the 80's were great.
I loved pretty much every song on the singles chart in the 80's. One that I couldn't stand was "That's What Friends Are For." I turned the countdown off when Casey was getting ready to announce it at #1. I did the same when it was #1 for the year. I never saw the video back then. Now that I can watch the video & see four LEGENDS having fun with the song, I grew to love the song. I never go the other way. Once I love a song, I always do. 😃
As far as "Open Arms," I have ALWAYS loved it!!! It has been my favorite Journey song since it first came out, although I consider "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" on the same level. 😎
"Separate Ways" has always been the Journey song I skip. Still is. Just depressed me every time I heard it. The memories it brings for me are sad, uncertain feelings of being on the outset of an adolescence I never felt at home in. (I like myself more now.)
@@chrisbenson6683 It's their most rockin' song, and luckily I don't have any bad memories attached to the song.
I had a similar experience with the song... Endless Love.. by L. Richie and D. Ross . When it first came out, I really disliked it a lot, but a few years later, I completely turned around and now I really like the song very much.
I thought That's What Friends Are For was a bit bland in 1985. Now I hear an amazing song and cannot believe the power of Gladys Knight's voice. Magnificent does not do it justice!
Of all the charity singles, That’s What Friends are For bothers me the least.
This has been one of the songs that I sing in my head all the time since I was a little kid. This and king of the road and dang me. 3 songs that I know from before I knew myself. Reminds me of the time before. Born in 72. I think I might have been in one of the best runs of humanity. I’m sorry for the younger generations. Love your channel. Thank you.
WOW.... one of the best reviews Professor! Open arms is about my 3rd favorite Journey song but watching this, you made it my favorite.
I graduated high school in 1987, Queen had ALWAYS been my favorite band! But Journey is my #2 without a doubt! Well, Journey with Steve Perry!! My first love was shot on Nov 24 1986 and died Nov 25 1986. Faithfully was the song I was gonna walk down the aisle to, to marry Chris. But when he died, Journey's songs meant even more to me!!! I'll see Chris again one day, at least I hope!! Thank you Prof, for helping people learn about these amazing songs!!!
That is awful. I am so sorry.
It's funny The Professor mentions Pink and John Denver back-to-back. There is a picture of Floyd on stage where one member (Waters, I think?) is wearing a John Denver t-shirt. I love it. In the 70s I would listen to Zeppelin 4, then Tommy (WHO), then Abba, then Elton while smoking my homegrown.
Ha ha! Love it. Abba. Guess what? I don't care for ABBA.. Don't ask me why... I can't explain it!
One of my favorite vids of yours! Thoroughly enjoyed the interviews and commentary!
I remember that growing up , I used to be indifferent to this band and it was because at the moment I didn’t really understand what made them so unique … But then , about a couple of years ago ( I can’t exactly remember when) , my father played on the tv a selection of Journey’s greatest hits that he had put into a playlist, and it struck me in a different light . Every time I listen to their music , it reminds me that I was born to do amazing things in life … As a singer myself , it is a constant inspiration to listen to Steve ‘s Voice on the song Open Arms ! .
PROFESSOR, You have a great talent with your ability to explore the music that we love or sometimes dont even like. Your ability to explain the back story, and the artist intention behind a song is incredible. The fact that you actually sit down and get the REAL story FROM the artist makes your point of view CREDIBLE and AWESOME. I have watched many hours of your videos, but I havent seen one that covers an artist named JOHN PRINE. Could you please see about covering John Prines story and his contribution to the music industry over the last 4 decades ? I dont think that I would be the only fan of your channel who would be interested. Thanks.
I never liked Taylor Dayne's Tell It To My Heart when it came out until about a year ago. One day I just decided to listen to it when it was recommended on Spotify. I was amazed at her vocals and thought that she could easily front any rock band.
Your videos bring back so many wonderful memories of one of the most beautiful times in music history. Thank you!
Great remembrance of a redeeming song for you and a great loving anthem for the world… Long live the Journey King!!
I loved the AT 40 countdown and at that time used to write down the top 10 every Saturday as I listened to it while cleaning my room. At any given time "Open Arms" is still my favorite song and it is in my top 5 regardless of my mood, but in junior high I really liked "Centerfold". It is still a fun and catchy song that I will sing along with unabashedly on the radio if it comes on. When those two were number one and two on the countdown it was fantastic. I was so upset when "I Love Rock and Roll" leapfrogged to number one. I like Joan Jett but thought the song was overrated. I recognize its place its place as a fist pumping party song, but its range is limited. "Open Arms" should have spent its last weeks in that number one spot in Joan's place in my opinion. I echo everything you said about Steve Perry as the GOAT and when I saw trailers for Cobra Kai, my curmudgeonly old heart skipped a beat that did not make me think I needed to report to my doctor. The music placement in that series is phenomenal. Keep up the great work Professor.