The power ballad that almost didn't make the album
In short: Before it became a legendary wedding anthem and a Billboard staple, Journey's 'Open Arms' was nearly discarded. The band's guitarist reportedly loathed the track, comparing its melodic direction to Mary Poppins, while the rest of the group resisted performing ballads altogether.
Co-written by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, 'Open Arms' was born from a melody Cain had begun developing during his time with The Babys. However, the song faced significant hurdles during its creation. Babys vocalist John Waite famously rejected the melody, dismissing it as "sentimental rubbish." Even within Journey, the track faced internal opposition; guitarist Neal Schon was famously critical of the song, suggesting it sounded like "Mary Poppins" and noting it was far removed from the band's established sound.
The recording process was far from seamless. Jonathan Cain recorded the piano track while suffering from a severe cold, and despite his desire to re-record it, the rest of the band insisted on using the original performance. The sessions were often tense, with Schon reportedly taunting Perry and Cain in the studio. Yet, the song's impact was undeniable once it reached the stage. During the Escape Tour in the fall of 1981, the audience's overwhelming reaction left Schon in disbelief, eventually leading him to admit, "Man, that song really kicked ass!"
Released as a single in early 1982, the song became Journey's biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, holding the number two spot for six weeks. It was famously blocked from the number one position by the J. Geils Band's "Centerfold" and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Decades later, the song's legacy continues through diverse covers, including a 1996 international hit by Mariah Carey, and its frequent use as a staple on reality singing competitions like American Idol and The X Factor.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Open Arms (Journey song)
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