Journey’s massive hit – the ubiquitous rock anthem ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ has been named the biggest song of all time by Forbes. The American business magazine has published an article which claims so.
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ was certified 18 times Platinum in the US in May 2023, the only other track to get here being Post Malone and Swae Lee’s ‘Sunflower’. Which means it has shifted more than 18 million chart units digitally. Undoubtedly, it has been the best selling digital track of the the 20th century.
Rolling Stones had ranked the song #133 on their list of Greatest Songs of All Time. The estimated number of physical copies sold for the song stands at a massive 1.5 million! Additionally, the song had secured the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021.
‘Don’t Stop Believin’ has sold more than 3 million copies in the UK across multiple formats.
Journey co-founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon recently shared the statement on X: “We now officially have the biggest song in the world ever in the history of music! Congratulations to all.” The announcement states the song has been “likely heard by everyone around the world.” Schon had also co-written the song along with Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry.
Reception and Trivia
Released in October 1981 as the second single from the group’s seventh studio album, Escape (1981), through Columbia Records, the song was received well among critics.
Billboard called it an “uptempo, melodic track” and praised the “fluid guitar and vocal.” Record World said that the “piano intro anticipates a powerful rock chorus for maximum airplay.” Mike DeGagne of AllMusic has described ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ as a “perfect rock song” and an “anthem”, featuring “one of the best opening keyboard riffs in rock.”
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In 2022, the Library of Congress selected ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
The song is also 10 x Platinum in Australia, 7 x Platinum in New Zealand, and 2 x Platinum in Denmark.
With a massive influence on the popular culture, we also got to hear the song in The Sopranos(2007) series finale for their famous final scene. The song is widely popular among various sporting events across the globe as well. In 2009, popular TV show “Glee” featured the song. This had an impact on the popularity of the song among newer audiences.
Journey is all set to go on their first UK and Ireland tour in over a decade in October and November 2024, with special guests Cheap Trick!
Journey and Cheap Trick’s UK tour dates:
OCTOBER 2024
Cardiff Utilita Arena – Wed 30th
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – Thu 31st
NOVEMBER 2024
Glasgow OVO Hydro – Sat 2nd
Belfast SSE Arena – Mon 4th
Dublin 3Arena – Tue 5th
Manchester AO Arena – Fri 8th
Leeds First Direct Arena – Sat 9th
Liverpool M&S Bank Arena – Mon 11th
Birmingham Utilita Arena – Wed 13th
Newcastle Utilita Arena – Sat 16th
London The O2 – Sun 17th
