On June 10, 2007, The Sopranos faded to black to the tune of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Within hours, the 1981 anthem rocketed up iTunes Top 100 list. More than two years later, it’s still there, sitting comfortably at No. 55 — taunting me. I do not own “Don’t Stop Believin’.” I will not own “Don’t Stop Believin’.” But apparently, I am alone in loathing this song. I’m amazed — not just by it’s longevity, but by the sheer mathematics of it. Doesn’t everyone already have it by now? Who’s still buying it? I’m half-convinced that this is some bizarre Journey fan-club conspiracy similar to how Scientologists used to guarantee L. Ron Hubbard’s book were best-sellers?
Are you to blame for my continued exposure to Journey’s ubiquitous power ballad? Admit it: Are you purchasing the song digitally multiple times? What compromising pictures does Steve Perry have of you? And do you now hate me for sorta crapping on your favorite song of all time?
Do you have a song that everyone else loves that makes you twitch uncontrollably? (It better not be “Sweet Caroline.”)
I LOVE “Don’t Stop Believin’”!!! But I genuinely hate “Love Shack,” and everyone else seems to love it. Seriously, people, my ears are bleeding here.
Oh man, Brody…I completely agree with your hate of Love Shack. I also hate the BeeGee’s Stayin Alive and anything that has ever come out of Axle Rose’s mouth.
I think it’s a great song, but yes definitely played out… howEVER. I’m really digging the new arrangements (the one on the Tony Awards with Rock the Ages musical, and especially the rendition from GLEE! which will be on Fox this fall.)
It’s featured prominently on FOX’s “Glee” pilot (and its ubiquitous commercials) and in Broadway’s “Rock of Ages” which performed it on the Tony Awards.
No mention of “Glee?” That show has to have had an effect on sales.
I don’t know if I have the Journey version, but I bought the Glee cast version. I’ve also heard it a couple of times in other shows lately!
I don’t think it’s just the Soprano’s. That episode of Fmaily Guy that featured this song is on in reruns ALL THE TIME! Personally i love the song but it is surprising that it’s still number 1. I thought the final scene of the Soprano’s was Tony getting into a car and it blowing up? I remember hearing so much about that after it aired.
I hate Journey and I really despise this particular song. I do not own and never will!
I hate Journey and I really despise this particular song. I do not own and never will!
to Brody – I totally agree with you I detest “Love Shack” and cringe whenever I hear it – I can even manage the same amount of revulsion for “Rock Lobster”. When my husband and I were talking to bands about the music at our reception one of the gentlemen we spoke with guaranteed us that “Love Shack” would have everyone out of their seats and on the dance floor…I nearly choked and promptly scratched that band’s name from our list…
Jeff, I LOVE “Don’t Stop Believin’ & not only do I own Journey’s version but after watching Glee a few weeks ago I also purchased the cast recording. So it would seem that those pictures Steve Perry has been holding over my head ARE having the desired effect.
I have a few songs that will have me run screaming from the room within moments of the opening notes: Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Blinded by the Light, Dreamweaver, Seasons in the Sun…shudder. But for some reason, even though it’s being played to death, I’m not sick of Don’t Stop Believin’ yet. The song that I used to love that I’m getting to the running out of the room screaming point is Respect because of those %&^*#@% Cricket commercials (Internet & wireless provider in the Chicago area). I never thought that anything would make me hate that song, but those commercials are doing it.
Love Don’t Stop Believin’, but agree it’s getting omnipresent…. the song I hate that everyone seems to love is the abysmal Smooth by Rob Thomas w/Santana… when I was younger and barhopping it seemed like this song was playing on a loop, hate it!!
I like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” particularly the “Glee” version. In fact, I’ll take that one over Journey’s.
As for the song that I can’t stand that everyone else loves, it’s John Lennon’s “Imagine.” It makes my ears bleed.
I love Aerosmith, but I detest “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” Here’s a tip: If anyone ever stays awake, just to watch you sleeping, it’s time to get a restraining order.
The Detroit Red Wings are also using it as a sort of ‘theme-song’ for their Stanley Cup run, as it has that line about being “born and raised in South Detroit”. They play it near the end of every win. Plus, like others mentioned, Rock of Ages, and Glee, and every bar/party/wedding band on earth. I’m SO done with this song, let’s find another classic nugget to overplay…PLEASE!