Alright, I Won't Stop Believin'

Since I can't seem to concentrate on anything, a friend of mine did. I was sent this analysis of the Journey Song, "Don't Stop Believin'", and must say that it is good. It makes sense, the song means something, and it has lifted my spirits once again. Here ya go...

(And if you need the tune in your head, click on this baby here)

Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train
Goin' anywhere

The anygirl and anyboy represented here show that any person from wherever they live, whoever they may be, all walks of life all desire to go somewhere in their lives. To branch and discover. To go beyond their roots. The midnight train is a journey. Life is a journey. The midnight train is life. We're all on this ride. And depending which station we get on and off at, we go where the train takes us--anywhere. Why the midnight train? Why not the day express? Because the hours are longer, it's dark, and we're all waiting waiting waiting to see our mysterious destination.

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

This stanza is odd because it doesn't really fit the rest of the song. It's like a 6th finger. But Journey put it there for a reason. Why a 6th finger? I surmise it is an introspection. A personal identity or marker to the song. Its lines and cadence doesn't fit any other part of the song, maybe neither does its intent. Perhaps this is the one literal part to the whole allegorical story. I'm so bold to say that the singer in the smokey room is Journey themselves, witnessing and reflecting on the interplay of life before them.

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night

This is another way to describe what the first stanza says. It goes from specific to general (anygirl and anyboy are now strangers/people). The train is now a boulevard. But it's still dark; night. They're still searching; waiting. Streetlights: hope, understanding, illumination. But mostly, we're hiding somewhere in the night. Why? Are we afraid of discovery (streetlights)? Is it easier to find emotion in darkness? Or do we seek emotion because we're in darkness? Journey doesn't say. They're just merely offering a perspective. They do, however, call to us; they say the key, the answer is light. Streetlights, people. Streetlights, people!

Workin' hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Now Journey shows us the different ways we search for emotion, streetlights, the end of the train ride. Some work hard. Some take their chance on luck. But everyone wants a thrill, a fill. Everybody wants. There are those who fall prey, become addicted, stuck. They lose. They sing the blues. Then there are those who win. Life is a roulette. Or a movie. But it goes on and on.

Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin' just to find emotion
Hidin', somewhere in the night

[Instrumental Interlude]

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people

Sounds pretty grim, doesn't it? You wait, you search, you work, you take a chance, all in the dark. And still, you might lose. But Journey reminds us: streetlights, people! There's hope, they say. Don't despair. Keep believing; in yourself, in your destination. Hold on to that feeling of hope. Hold on.


(My 2 cents) I won't stop believin' and I do always have hope. I love that the streetlights represent hope and the people are key. Isn't that what life is about: hope and people? The light of Christ being played out in our lives here on earth? Isn't that how we end up living with Him again? I'm sure Journey didn't really mean to take it that far, especially when they say that you can roll the dice to find your fate, but I guess some people really do do that. I would also answer the question about darkness and emotion and say, "yes, people find it easier to express/find emotion in the dark" and also, "yes, people search for emotion in the dark because you can get scared in the dark and might search for another emotion." Either way, we need a streetlight, some hope that there is something beyond the dark. We need Christ and his atonement so we have some hope that there is more to this life than just this life. It all really does matter in the end, it takes a little more than rolling the dice, and we just need to keep holding on to that feelin' of a better place, the beacon of hope, the streetlight in the dark.