Like other successful bands of the 1970s and 1980s, Journey's sound was built on the double threat of singer Steve Perry's upper-register vocals and guitarist Neal Schon's melodic solos. The band also used rich harmonies to embellish their hard edge. Greatest Hits shows that Journey knew how to craft a pop song with memorable tunes like "Anyway You Want It" and "Don't Stop Believin'." "Wheel in the Sky" was one of the band's more arty singles, while "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" relied on a straight four-bar blues pattern, with Perry's vocals at their best. The band's power ballads gave them their biggest success, and are rightfully represented here: "Faithfully," "Open Arms," and "Send Her My Love." Another unlikely aspect further secured the band's success--you could actually dance to some of their stuff, especially "Anyway You Want It." --Steve Gdula

Includes "Who's Sorry Now."Not On Us Version

I too, was not a big Journey fan during the times they dominated the charts. However, as one other put it, they were enscribed into my memory during these times and have now become a cherished part of my memories. It seemed that no matter where you were, there was a Journey song playing on the radio at some point. I have fully come to appreciate their contribution to our culture and salute their music for standing the test of time and lived on to become timeless classics. Their songs still live on today at teen parties when it comes time to slow dance. This generation is starved for smoothing music in the mind jarring rap laced musical culture they exist in today. It's good to hear the time honored classics.

If you are a Journey fan, you will love this cd. I wont nit pick it to death like some reviewers do..this is just about music, and music is there to soothe the soul..Im not going to sit here and pretend to work for Rolling Stone or anything..I'll leave that to the dorky wanna bes..
Journey's music is great, the cds..all of them are awesome..if it doesnt have the song you want, find the cd that does and buy it..end of story.

Once Steve Perry joined Journey for the "Infinity" album, the band's course was inevitably reset. They changed direction from being a progressive rock band to an arena rock juggernaut. Perry's main contribution was a strong melodic sense coupled to his more soulful vocals. The hits started almost immediately, as "Lights" and "Wheel In The Sky" became FM Rock Radio staples.

That is what this greatest hits focuses on, the songs that became the standards by which the public remembers the band. If you were interested in the albums BEFORE "Infinity," I suggest "Time 3," which adds material from the years when Neal Schon was still aping his jazz-Rock tenure with Santana and Gregg Rollie was doing standard rock keyboard boogie. Personally, I liked them better when Perry got on board. The sound focused and the songwriting tightened. Songs like "Separate Ways/Worlds Apart" and "Any Way You Want It" could add a jolt of adrenaline to a day of radio. When Jonathan Cain replaced Gregg Rollie on "Escape," Journey took on a romantic bent from Cain's songwriting. "Open Arms" came first, then "Faithfully" (on "Frontiers") solidified it. These were pop radio songs without peer, and they make Journey's "Greatest Hits" an essential document of 70's and 80's radio rock. (The updated "Greatest Hits" includes the best song from the 90's reunion "Trial by Fire," "When You Love A Woman.")

The other reason you might be looking at this is not because of Steve Perry's voice or Neal Schon's guitar heroics, but because of Tony and Carmella. It was Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" that echoed out of the final minutes of "The Sopranos" closing episode. It was funny that Tony passed over Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra for Journey and inspire a million parodies in the process. (Including Hilary Clinton...where the best moment is when she and President Bill Clinton are flipping through songs and Bill says "My money's on Smash Mouth...") Talk about cementing your place in pop culture...who could have asked for better?

This best of offers a pair of soundtrack rarities in "Only The Young" (from "Vision Quest") and "Ask The Lonely" (from "Two of a Kind"). Missing are a few crucial singles like "Suzanne," "Stone In Love" and "Walks Like A Lady." If you really want them, go for the box sets or individual CD's.

If you hear the name Journey you know it is going to be good.

I picked this album up to listen to some old favorites from time to time. I grew up with this music on the radio, and "Don't Stop Believin'", "Faithfully", "Any Way You Want It", "Separate Ways", and "Open Arms" are thereby a part of my blood...whether or not I want that. I'm a sentimentalist, I guess.