"Faithfully" by Journey

Song#:  1418
Date:  04/16/1983
Debut:  55
Peak:  12
Weeks:  16
Genre:  Arena Rock



Pop Bits:  Journey's highly anticipated "Frontiers" album got off to a good start when its first single, "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" reached #8 (#1 Rock). For their next single, this power ballad was chosen. They were most likely hoping it would hit in the same way their ballad "Open Arms" did (#2), but it ended up peaking just shy of the Top 10. Oddly, rock radio ignored the tune and it failed to chart there. However, the song did find its way to #24 on the AC chart. Although the single peaked at a very respectable #12, it was a bit of a disappointment coming off of three Top 10 hits from their previous album "Escape."

ReduxReview:  The difference between this song and "Open Arms" is that "Faithfully" is truly a power ballad. "Open Arms" was a quiet piece for the band featuring some strings. "Faithfully" is a balls-out, arena ready rock song complete with guitar solos and massive synth sounds. The heavier sound and Steve Perry's wailing vocals may not have affected folks as much as the unexpected tenderness of "Open Arms." Therefore, I think it was destined to not do as well. Regardless, I've always loved the song and consider it among their best.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  This song came out at a time when Prince was writing songs for his film "Purple Rain." After Prince wrote the title-track tune, he got a little worried that the song sounded too much like Journey's "Faithfully." So he got in contact with the song's writer, Journey member Jonathan Cain, to seek his opinion. After Cain listened to "Purple Rain," he told Prince that the songs may have some chords in common, but there were no other real similarities. Cain's clearance of the song led to a classic being born.

_________________________________________________________________________________