"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by American rock band Journey, originally released as the second single from their seventh album Escape (1981). It became a number 9 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 on its original release after entering the chart at position 56 on 31st October 1981. In the United Kingdom, the song was not a Top 40 hit on its original release; however, it reached number 6 in 2009.
While a majority of songs have a refrain that is repeated several times throughout the song, the true chorus to "Don't Stop Believin'" (as well as first mention of its title) is not heard until the end of the song, with only 0:50 left. The song's writers designated the musically similar sections before the chorus as the "pre-chorus." The song's structure is:
Introduction (instrumental) (0:00–0:17)
Verse 1 (0:17–0:49)
Instrumental (0:49–1:05)
Verse 2 (half-length) (1:05–1:20)
Pre-chorus 1 (1:20–1:54)
Instrumental (1:54–2:01)
Verse 3 (2:01–2:33)
Pre-chorus 2 (2:33–3:05)
Instrumental (chorus) (3:05–3:21)
Chorus until fade (3:21–4:11)
Lyrics
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
A singer in a smoky 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
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Working 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
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Songwriters: Jonathan Cain / Stephen Ray Perry / Neal Joseph Schon
Don't Stop Believin' lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
