most difficult steve perry songs to cover

During its lifespan it’s been covered by an array of artists. Scour YouTube and you’ll even come across a reggae cover alongside versions by Panic! At The Disco’s Brendan Urie, John Mayer, Stashrip and even audio of a workout set to the tune by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger.ĭon’t Stop Believin’ is a perennial live favourite, and not just for Journey. There are classical versions, bluegrass versions, acapella versions, dance versions and lounge jazz versions. To back her words, scour Spotify and you’ll come across a dizzying list of artists who have covered the track in all manner of styles, from symphonic metallers Northern Kings to dungaree-clad downhome rockers Hayseed Dixie. “It’s a feelgood song with a positive message and a memorable melody,” says Kara Wright, “and it’s an anthem that can be accepted and applied to any kind of situation.”

“In a way, using these songs is like batting practice for a music supervisor, you know you have a good chance of hitting it out of the park with one of these old power ballads and a big, over the top scene.” Gary Calamar, whose list of credits includes House, Dexter and After The Sunset, understands why the song is featured so regularly. The song is in the title of the Journey documentary Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman ’s Journey, while other films to feature it include View From The Top, The Comebacks, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and The Losers. After viewing the proposed scene, Perry agreed to the song’s use and even became the film’s music consultant. The actress, who was also the film’s producer, had been so keen to include the track that she personally wrote a letter to Steve Perry. In the interim it featured in the 2003 drama Monster starring Charlize Theron.

Ten years later Sandler and Don’t Stop Believin’ were reunited in Bedtime Stories. “For better or worse I don’t think Don’t Stop Believin’ ever went away. Though Gary Calamar, who is also a DJ on LA-based radio station KCRW, begs to differ. While Don’t Stop Believin’’s 2007 inclusion on The Sopranos is considered by many to mark the beginning of its latest wave of popularity, in an article in the LA Times, Journey’s Jonathan Cain – who wrote the song along with Steve Perry and Neal Schon – cited its use in the 1998 Adam Sandler comedy The Wedding Singer as the spark.

Most difficult steve perry songs to cover