11 Best Journey Love Songs & Party Hits for a Wedding Playlist
Last Updated: June 21, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)
Calling all Journey fans on the road tonight! Enjoy my list of the top Journey songs of all time. Journey was first formed in 1973.
Even though Steve Perry went his own way for a time being, we have to mention his most popular single released and played on the radio – “Oh Sherrie”. However, our favorite song was “Strung Out”.
I also have to mention my favorite current song by Journey is “After All These Years” and from their album Eclipse is “City Of Hope”.
Journey Wedding Songs List
Don’t Stop Believin’
Released in 1981 on the album Escape
This song is an anthem to get things going. Whether it is played at sports arenas, political speeches, or even at wedding receptions, the song will live on forever. Who can argue with more than 30 million views on YouTube?
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Faithfully
Released in 1983 on the album Frontiers
This a power love ballad to many married couples from the Eighties and beyond.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And lovin’ a music man
Ain’t always what it’s supposed to be
Oh girl you stand by me
I’m forever yours, faithfully
Next, read a Foreigner playlist for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Released in 1983 on the album Frontiers
This is a great breakup song. It is a bit gritty but full of emotion.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
True love won’t desert you
You know I still love you
Though we touched and went our separate ways
Open Arms
Released in 1982 on the album Escape
Another power ballad by Journey was released in the 80s.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
So here I am, with open arms
Hoping you’ll see what your love means to me
Open arms
Any Way You Want It
Released in 1980 on the album Departure
Even though Journey gave the OK to play the song on TV commercials, we still love this anthem song too much.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
She said, any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it
Check out an REO Speedwagon playlist for a wedding ceremony and reception.
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
Released in 1979 on the album Evolution
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He’s tearing you apart
Oh, girl, what can you say?
Cause he’s loving, touching another
Wheel In The Sky
Released in 1978 on the album Infinity
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Oh the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
I don’t’ know where I’ll be tomorrow
Lights
Released in 1978 on the album Infinity
A song about the city they are from – San Francisco.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I want to be there in my city
When You Love A Woman
Released in 1996 on the album Trial By Fire
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When you love a woman
You see your world inside her eyes
When you love a woman
(Well) You know she’s standing by your side
A joy that lasts forever
Listen to Aerosmith love tunes for a ceremony and reception.
Who’s Crying Now
Released in 1981 on the album Escape
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Two hearts, born to run
Who’ll be the lonely one?
I wonder who’s crying now?
Journey Songs – Fan Favorites
Send Her My Love
Released in 1983 on the album Frontiers
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Send her my love
Memories remain
Send her my love
Roses never fade
Journey Highest-Charting Singles
- #2 Open Arms, 1982
- #4 Who’s Crying Now, 1981
- #8 Separate Ways (Worlds Apart), 1983
- #9 Don’t Stop Believin’, 1981
- #9 Only the Young, 1985
- #9 Be Good to Yourself, 1986
- #12 Faithfully, 1983
- #12 When You Love a Woman, 1996
- #14 I’ll Be Alright Without You, 1987
- #16 Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’, 1979
- #17 Suzanne, 1986
- #17 Girl Can’t Help It, 1986
- #19 Still They Ride, 1982
Have a favorite Journey song, not on our list? Please share it below so that we can add it!
FAQs
Current members
- Neal Schon – lead guitar (1973–present)
- Ross Valory – bass (1973–1985, 1995–present)
- Jonathan Cain – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1980–present)
- Deen Castronovo – drums, percussion (1998–present)
- Arnel Pineda – lead vocals (2007–present)
Former members
- Gregg Rolie – keyboards, harmonica, lead vocals (1973–1980)
- George Tickner – rhythm guitar (1973–1975)
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion (1974–1978)
- Robert Fleischman – lead vocals (1977)
- Steve Perry – lead vocals (1977–1998)
- Steve Smith – drums, percussion (1978–1985, 1995–1998)
- Randy Jackson – bass, vocals (1985–1987)
- Steve Augeri – lead vocals, guitar (1998–2006)
The Birth of Journey
Every great band has a great origin. Journey is no different. Journey evolved from another successful band, Santana. Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie were important pieces of Carlos Santana’s band until they decided to form their own group. With Santana’s blessing, Schon and Rolie embarked upon a musical project that would make them legends.
The pair were established songwriters, but they needed a stellar vocalist to sing the Journey songs that would put the band in the record books. Steve Perry was handpicked by the founding members because of his vocal styling and range. To this day you can instantly recognize Journey songs on the radio thanks to Perry’s distinctive voice.
Rolie would eventually leave Journey to pursue his own interests, leaving Schon and Perry to dominate the rock scene of the 80s with Journey classics like “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “Open Arms”, and many other huge hits.
The Secret to Journey’s Success
There are many elements that account for a successful rock band. One of these is the chemistry between members. Neal Schon and Steve Perry combined their talents to create the Journey songs the world knows and loves.
Schon is one of the greatest rock guitarists to ever pick up the instrument. Likewise, Perry is a unique vocalist that is unlike any other. For these two talented individuals to work together there was a great willingness to share the spotlight. Neither musician allowed their ego to get in the way of Journey’s success.
The large library of Journey songs that are still played on the radio today and chosen for special events like weddings is a collaborative effort between Schon and Perry. They played to each other’s strengths in their writing, and that made Journey a legend.
Replacing Steve Perry
When Steve Perry chose to leave the band after dealing with health issues and other problems, Neal Schon made a difficult decision. He chose to find another vocalist who could do justice to the classic Journey songs. Schon’s first choice was Steve Augeri. Augeri not only sang like Perry, he resembled him as well.
Some fans did not like the replacement and felt like the band was trying to produce a Steve Perry clone. The Augeri era lasted through one album, Arrival before Schon was again searching for a lead vocalist.
The right man was found in Arnel Pineda, a native of the Philippines who dedicated his life to matching Steve Perry’s vocal range. Pineda took the reins in 2007 and continues to deliver faithful renditions of Journey songs today. He has even been given the stamp of approval by Perry himself.
Today, Journey is still going strong and selling out concert venues. Fans come to hear all the classic music that they grew up with. If you are looking for the perfect love song to add to your wedding or other events, look no further than this list of top Journey songs.
About
DJ, Editor, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.
My personal favorite is Send Her My Love on Frontiers. Steve Perry doesn’t try to max out his vocal chords and Neil does zoom through the guitar riffs. It’s well balanced and the word also being great could apply to everyone on the planet. Just my opinion but I’m willing to bet that other fans would agree. Thank you
Thanks for your comments John. I would agree that “Send Her My Love” is one of my favorites for the same reasons. I will add the song to the list. Neal’s riffs live now seem to overpower the show. Still hoping Steve joins the band one day again for a tour.
I have to agree with Kent and his order not because of their chart toppin status but just because those are my faves and the top three can also have a very gospel feel to them as a Christian woman but I mainly just love those songs
Thanks Cindy for your insight. We can all agree they are one of the greatest bands of all time!
All great songs. I agree with your top 4, but in a different order. There is a reason “Open Arms” charted higher than “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Faithfully”. It’s a better song. I’d go:
1. Open Arms 2. Don’t Stop Believin 3. Faithfully 4. Separate Ways. and probably at 5. When You Love a Woman
Hi Kent. Thanks for the feedback. Yes, “Open Arms” I think had a wider mass appeal compared to any of their other songs at the time. Definitely a great list of songs!
On this list every song was a team effort, a big part was Steve Perry. No one else should sing them
Hi M Zak, I am still hoping that some day we will have a concert with Steve included before they get too old to perform.