Musical Analysis #1 " Don't Stop Believin' "
I was introduced to Journey at a very young age, my parents would play songs by Journey on car rides or any occasion that would invite the opportunity to listen to music and " Don't Stop Believin' " always stuck out to me with its catchy lyrics and its upbeat tempo. This song is about not stopping in believing in what pushes you forward, even if you are stuck in repeating loop or feel lost. This message really stuck with me, and always made me feel better.
" Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey was released in 1981 and is an 18 times platinum hitting song, and is considered one of the biggest songs ever released in America. " Don't Stop Believin' " is about two people stuck in a repeating loop, that won't seemingly end, looking for a change. They discover that they are not alone in their struggles, sparking a new hope, pushing them to continue believing in something greater or a change that can and will happen. This is a message that can apply to any person in any position of life because everyone needs to believe in something.
The 4 minute and 9 second song has a tempo that runs at 118 beats per minute, built around a 4/4 time signature. " Don't Stop Believin' " is played in the key of E major, which gives the song a light and uplifting feel. The combined effect of all of theses qualities creates a catchy and powerful song that draws listeners in.
The melody and vocal range in " Don't Stop Believin' " is a huge part of what makes this song memorable and catchy. The vocal range of Steve Perry in " Don't Stop Believin' " is one of the key parts of what makes the lyrics work with the melody. The vocals in this song really invite the listener to sing along, making it an experience that makes the meaning of the song stick with the listener.
Lyrics can make or break a song sometimes, effecting the whole mood/vibe of the song. The lyrics also tell a story, and in the case of " Don't Stop Believin' " the story ultimately about always looking forward to something, and to always believe in something better. The lyrics paint a vivid story of struggle and hope, sticking with any person stuck in a repeating routine, looking for a way out or something more.
" Don't Stop Believin' " is a message that hope will always win, and believing in something better will break any endless cycle. This song is a testament of how powerful music can be and its ability to encourage change and people to unite. " Don't Stop Believin' " tells us to chase the spark of our dreams and to hold on to the hope they create, even though the rough times.
" Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey
Cites
McIntyre, H. (2024, February 20). Journey’s “don’t stop believin”’ is officially the biggest song of All time. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/01/31/journeys-dont-stop-believin-is-officially-the-biggest-song-of-all-time/
BPM and key for don’t stop believin’ by journey: Tempo for don’t stop believin’: Songbpm. SongBPM. (n.d.). https://songbpm.com/@journey/don-t-stop-believin-8beedfcb-30fe-4f10-8812-eb8b240d7d66#:~:text=Don’t%20Stop%20Believin’%20is,of%204%20beats%20per%20bar.
Great song choice! Growing up, my mom loved this song! You say "The melody and vocal range in " Don't Stop Believin' " is a huge part of what makes this song memorable and catchy." I find that interesting because I've always wondered why it was so easy for me to memorize the song.
ReplyDeleteAmazing song! The vocal range of Steve Perry is what I love most about this song. Like you said it is what makes people want to sing along to this song no matter what kind of mood they are in. Just seeing the title of the song on your blog got me singing the song in my head. Also, every time I hear this song I think of the movie "The Losers." There's a scene with Chris Evans trying to steal info from a corporation, but he's being an absolute goof about it the whole time and this is the song playing in the background.
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