Don't Stop Believing

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"Don't Stop Believin'"
Image:Don't Stop Believin'.jpg
Single by Journey
from the album Escape
Released	1981
Format	7" vinyl
Recorded	1981
Genre	Rock
Length	4:12
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, Neal Schon
Chart positions
#9 (US)
Journey singles chronology
"Who's Crying Now" (1981)	"Don't Stop Believin'" (1981)	"Open Arms" (1982)

Don't Stop Believin' is a power ballad by the American rock band Journey. The song debuted on their 1981 album Escape and was an instant hit. It is today considered the band's signature song. The song is well known for its lyrics and its distinctive introduction, described by All Music Guide as "one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock." [1]

The song has recently been brought back to prominence as the unofficial theme song of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox. The song was popular with fans and players alike when first played during the 2005 season and was considered the anthem of the Sox' playoff run. The song became such a symbol for the Sox that former Journey lead singer Steve Perry, a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan, was invited to travel with the team during the World Series. After the victory, he was seen in the clubhouse celebrating and singing this song with several players. On October 28, 2005, Steve Perry led the team and the crowd in an a cappella rendition of the song, on the podium at the World Series Championship celebration in Chicago.

Many other MLB teams have also adopted the song, such as the Cleveland Indians. The Indians played the song in their locker room after a win during the 2005 season. It was also played in its entirety on the Extra Innings postgame show on WTAM following an Indians win.

When Don't Stop Believing appeared on MTV's Laguna Beach, it jumped to the top 10 most songs sold on iTunes

It also has recently become the signature song of the CUSID, the Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate. Members of the society have been known to scream the chorus at tournament socials, usually replacing the chorus with the simple refrain, Don't stop believing... na na na na SOUTH DETROIT!!!

[edit] Television and film appearances

The song's popularity had surged earlier in 2005 after being featured in various television shows. After these appearances, it rose to the top of the list of songs downloaded on iTunes; considered an odd occurrence for a song released more than 20 years earlier.

In the 2006 comedy film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, featuring Will Ferrell, the song is featured in the trailer.
In the 2003 comedy film View from the Top, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, as the opening credits.
An episode of MTV's reality television show Laguna Beach featured the song.
On the Family Guy episode "Don't Make Me Over", Peter Griffin and friends Quagmire, Joe, and Cleveland sing this song karaoke-style in a bid to attract attention to save their favorite bar, The Drunken Clam. The sound of the song attracts most people within hearing range, even luring a few mourners carrying a casket to drop it and run off ("Hey, that IS Journey!"). Mayor Adam West remarks "I love this song! And I love it when amateurs sing it! But I hate baseball cards..." In the days following the Family Guy episode, Don't Stop Believing slowly crept up to the number 4 most downloaded song on iTunes.
On the South Park episode "Tsst," Cartman sings "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin'" while hooking up his Xbox 360.
The song is also featured in a Scrubs episode from 2003 entitled "My Journey," in which J.D. reveals that he is "a closet Journey fan." It is also used as non diegetic music during the closing sequence with J.D.'s narration featuring Elliot on a train.
In the 2003 motion picture Monster, featuring Charlize Theron, the song is played as a sort of love theme and also during the end credits.
In the 2002 motion picture Mr. Deeds it was featured on the trailer.
The song is also featured in the CBS crime drama Cold Case.
The song was played on the performance night of the finale of season 5 of American Idol in a video montage featuring finalists Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee showing their paths from the auditions to the finale.
On the Yes, Dear tv-series, Jimmy Hughes (played by actor Mike O'Malley) sings "Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin'" when his little son learns to use the toilet.
A string version was played during Robbie Hart's wedding scene in The Wedding Singer.
The song was played in commercials promoting a new season of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.