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.”)
Comments (1-30) of 64 Add your comment
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!
orville, I would like to add “The Pina Colada Song” and “Silly Love Songs” to your list…really, any song by Wings.
“Walking on Sunshine” has always made me nauseous, yet it still seems to be everywhere. I can’t seem to go two weeks without hearing it somewhere, and then losing my morning breakfast as a result.
Please, people, let’s leave Katrina, the Waves, and the whole damn sunshine parade back in the 80s!
Awww come on Jeff don’t hate. How can you NOT love this song?! Granted Steve Perry was/is a complete douchebag his voice is golden… hell I even have “Foolish Heart” and “Oh Sherrie” in my iPod. I give credit where its due.. he doesn’t just sing.. he SANGS
Piano Man Billy Joel this song irritates me to know end, it was the last call sing along when I was younger and it made me leave.
I am with all of you who said Loveshack. I have hated it since it first came out and have to leave the room if it comes on!
Loveshack – I am with all of you who named that song. Worse song ever that is replayed far too much. I need to leave the room when it comes on and I demand a station change if it comes on when I am trapped in a car!
It’s not that it was in the Sopranos. It’s not that everyone thinks that Steve Perry is the most electrifying vocalist of the 80s. But it’s Don’t Stop Believing. It’s an anthem for being questionably sober with your friends or maybe with this girl you just met. It’s cheesy and bombastic, but you can’t not sing it at the top of your lungs. How can you not love it, even if it’s on some emotionally manipulative meta level?
Don’t Stop Believing first neared the top of iTunes way before The Sopranos finale…it first neared the top after that episode of Laguna Beach where Stephen and LC/Kristen/some other blonde sign along to it in his car….
American Pie – I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t take that song.
Ok, I’ll agree with you on “The Pina Colada Song”, but I like Wings (even though the radio stations around here do play “Silly Love Songs” a bit too much). I’ll add Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun” to my list though.
And *really* have to agree with Sam on “Piano Man”. Love Billy Joel, but *hate* this song.
THANK YOU!! Whenever I mention my hatred for all things Journey people give me a look and start singing to me. I reserve the right to slap such people. I agree also with Staying Alive and would like to mention that DJs who play the Grease Megamix should go and “hand jive” themselves.
In total agreement with all of you on Love Shack. I *hate* it, and not just because of overexposure — it’s just silly and boring.
As for Don’t Stop Believin’ — it’s a very catchy song but Sopranos/Glee/Rock of Ages have overkilled it. Every sports team in every town uses it (no, it’s not unique to anyone’s city or sport) as a “we can do it” anthem for everything from small-town high school hockey to Yankee Stadium. Can someone write a new one w/a similar sentiment please? Please?
This song is about a million times better than some of that new crap like Boom Boom Pow
For me, it’s “American Pie (the Day the Music Died).” That song drives me nuts. It’s way too repetitive, and waaaay too long. And every classic rock station feels like it’s required to play it like twice every hour. And every time it comes on and there’s a room full of people, it becomes a cheesey sing-a-long moment a-la “Almost Famous”. Get over this song people!!!
Anyone share my hatred of Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock? I heard that song so much when it came out that whenever that song comes on the radio, I turn it off immediatly. I have no clue why ANYONE would like that stupid song.