Behind the Song: “Faithfully” by Journey

Tina Benitez-Eves

Updated: 

Highway run / Into the midnight sun / Wheels go round and round / You’re on my mind. 

Videos by American Songwriter

“In all honesty, it’s a road song,” says Jonathan Cain.

Observing the band’s touring crew, many of which didn’t have the money to fly their wives and kids around with them, the Journey keyboardist felt drawn to write a song about being on the road, far removed from loved ones, and found “Faithfully,” the first lines coming to Cain one evening after a show when the band was stuck in a snow storm.

“I watched the crew take down the whole stage—the speakers, the lights, the trusses,” Cain tells American Songwriter. “I watched the daredevils climb to the top like ‘Oh, my God, this is like a circus performance.’ I was so touched, and I thought we didn’t have a song, but if we had a song, or we sent one home to our loved ones, like a postcard to help bridge the distance between the road and home what would it be.”

Snowed in for the night, Cain started writing the first few lines of “Faithfully” on a napkin.

“I started thinking about me and my relationship, and I was missing my new wife at the time, and we were having trouble,” shares Cain. “There were early signs that we would probably split apart. I knew I needed to do something that said, ‘I love you, and whether or not you want to leave me, here it is,’ so I got on the bus, and there was this grey sky, and the moon was doing some kind of crazy stuff in the clouds, and it looked like the midnight sun. Then I wrote Highway run / Into the midnight sun / Wheels go round and round / You’re on my mind.”

After starting the song, Cain downed a beer and went to sleep, awakened by the smell of diesel fuel from the band’s bus. “In the morning, I saw the napkin sitting there on the nightstand and I said to myself, ‘This is a good song, so I started automatically lining up the lines and filling it in. In 30 minutes, all the lyrics were done. Then all of a sudden, I believe the Holy Spirit sent it to me, but I thought of the line ‘I’m forever yours, faithfully.’” 

Cain took the napkin to the band’s next soundcheck in Saratoga Springs, New York, placed it on his piano, and started quietly singing “Faithfully,” working out the melody and piano parts, yet never recorded any demo until he revisited “Faithfully” with the late producer Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart) and finally recorded the track.

Olsen played the song for Heart’s Ann Wilson, who loved it, but it was a Journey song. By the time the band was recording Frontiers, they needed a ballad, and “Faithfully” was ready to go.

faithfully by journey

“Perry said to me ‘I’ll sing it on one condition, you can’t be in the room when I’m singing,’” remembers Cain. “I said, ‘fine,’ and we cut it in three takes. We never played it before. We never rehearsed it. That’s how good Journey is.” 

He adds, “Neil didn’t know what to play, and I looked at him and I said, ‘be a French horn”… and the song became a classic.”

Reflecting more on the track, Cain tells American Songwriter that the circumstances around the song give it deeper meaning threaded in love, faith, and music. “It was my first year out on the road, and I was in a really grateful place being young with a band like Journey, and grateful for how far up God had elevated me,” says Cain. “My identity was sort of acknowledged, finally. As a writer and performer, I felt like I belonged there. I didn’t feel like, ‘Oh, I don’t deserve this.’”

Replacing original keyboardist and Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie, who left the band to explore new projects and start a family, Cain, then 31, began working on the band’s seventh album, Escape , writing many of the tracks, including “Faithfully,” along with singer Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon in 1983. By the time Frontiers was released Cain already had “Don’t Stop Believin”—an encouraging phrase his father shared with him when he was younger—“Open Arms,” and more Journey hits under his belt. 

“I feel like I earned every bit of it,” says Cain of the recognition he felt by the time “Faithfully” was released. “At the same time, I was grateful.

Today, the song, which originally peaked at No. 12, has never left the Journey setlist, but Cain regrets that “Faithfully” never found placement in a film. He can’t even get the song covered, and once approached Garth Brooks as well as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to cover the ballad.

“I can’t get it covered,” laughs Cain. “I guess they’re afraid of the original. It is a great song.”

Read Jonathan Cain’s recent interview with American Songwriter , here .

Leave a Reply

Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.

More From: Behind The Song

Abstract Crimewave Collaborated with Chrissie Hynde on ‘Stockholm,’ Then She Returned Years Later for “The Longest Night”

Abstract Crimewave Collaborated with Chrissie Hynde on ‘Stockholm,’ Then She Returned Years Later for “The Longest Night”

4 Dark Country Songs You Need for a Halloween Playlist

4 Dark Country Songs You Need for a Halloween Playlist

Watch Turnpike Troubadours Perform “The Bird Hunters” on ‘Austin City Limits’ Before Their Hiatus

Watch Turnpike Troubadours Perform “The Bird Hunters” on ‘Austin City Limits’ Before Their Hiatus

The Rolling Stones’ Chart-Topping ‘It’s Only Rock ’n Roll’ Album Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

The Rolling Stones’ Chart-Topping ‘It’s Only Rock ’n Roll’ Album Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Radiohead’s Eeriest Tracks: A Playlist for a Chilling Halloween Night

Radiohead’s Eeriest Tracks: A Playlist for a Chilling Halloween Night

The Wacky Paul McCartney Lyric Celebrating Part-Time Help

The Wacky Paul McCartney Lyric Celebrating Part-Time Help

You may also like.

3 of the Best Songs from the 1980s to Sing Along to

3 of the Best Songs from the 1980s to Sing Along to

The Song Prince Thought Ripped Off a Journey Hit

The Song Prince Thought Ripped Off a Journey Hit

Don’t Stop Playin’: How Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” Got Boosted By ‘The Sopranos’ and Other TV Placements

Don’t Stop Playin’: How Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” Got Boosted By ‘The Sopranos’ and Other TV Placements

The Story and Meaning Behind “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” the Journey Hit that Cemented Steve Perry’s Place in the Band

The Story and Meaning Behind “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” the Journey Hit that Cemented Steve Perry’s Place in the Band

Watch: Journey’s Final Concert with Steve Perry, a Three-Song Set During a Tribute For Late Concert Promoter Bill Graham in 1991

Watch: Journey’s Final Concert with Steve Perry, a Three-Song Set During a Tribute For Late Concert Promoter Bill Graham in 1991

3 Classic Rock Songs Music Fans Almost Involuntarily Sing Along to

3 Classic Rock Songs Music Fans Almost Involuntarily Sing Along to

MelodyInsight

Journey – “Faithfully” Lyrics Meaning

“Faithfully” is a powerful ballad that delves deep into the trials and tribulations of love, especially in the context of a life lived on the road. It’s a heartfelt ode to enduring love and commitment amidst the challenges of a musician’s lifestyle. The songwriter, Jonathan Cain, pens a narrative of love’s steadfastness, painting a picture of a relationship that withstands the tests of time and distance. At its core, the song is about the promise of eternal fidelity, a message that resonates with anyone who’s ever faced the struggles of maintaining a relationship through separation and the demands of one’s career. It’s a tribute to the lovers who stand by each other, no matter what.

What are the depths of love and dedication in a life filled with constant movement and change? “Faithfully” by Journey explores these themes in a way that’ll tug at your heartstrings. Keep reading to uncover the layers of meaning hidden within this classic ballad.

“Faithfully” Lyrics Meaning

The opening lines, “Highway run into the midnight sun,” immediately set the scene of life on the road, with the “wheels go ’round and ’round” symbolizing the cyclical, never-ending nature of this lifestyle. This introduction sets the tone for the song’s exploration of the complexities of maintaining love and connection amidst constant movement.

The phrase “Restless hearts, sleep alone tonight” speaks to the isolation and loneliness that can accompany such a life, highlighting the physical and emotional distance that often exists between loved ones. Yet, in sending “all my love along the wire,” there’s a profound sense of hope and effort to bridge that gap, underscoring the commitment to keep the flame of love alive, regardless of the miles that separate them.

The songwriter then addresses a common belief that “the road ain’t no place to start a family,” directly confronting the challenges faced by those who live a nomadic life. Despite these obstacles, the lyrics affirm, “Right down the line, it’s been you and me,” showcasing a strong bond that remains unbroken by the hardships of road life. This commitment is further emphasized in the chorus, “Oh, girl, you stand by me / I’m forever yours, faithfully,” a promise of unwavering loyalty and devotion.

“Circus life under the big-top world” metaphorically represents the showbiz life, filled with its ups and downs, likened to a circus. The need for “clowns to make us smile” reflects the necessity of finding joy and laughter, even in transient moments, to cope with the separation and stress that comes with this lifestyle.

The bridge, “And being apart ain’t easy on this love affair / Two strangers learn to fall in love again,” touches on the rejuvenation of love through continuous effort and rediscovery. It acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining a relationship over time and distance, yet also celebrates the beauty of rekindling love, reaffirming the commitment to stand by each other.

In conclusion, the repeated declarations of “I’m forever yours, faithfully” serve as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love, commitment, and fidelity in the face of life’s challenges. “Faithfully” captures the essence of a love that is both tested and strengthened by the trials of life on the road, offering a message of hope and perseverance for lovers everywhere.

The Story Behind “Faithfully”

The story of “Faithfully” begins with Jonathan Cain, Journey’s keyboardist, who penned the song during a challenging period of constant touring and separation from loved ones. Cain’s inspiration came from the personal experiences and struggles that came with living a life on the road, particularly the impact it had on relationships and family life.

During this time, Cain and the band were at the height of their fame, touring extensively and facing the realities of rock and roll lifestyle—where the glamour and excitement were often overshadowed by loneliness and the strain it placed on personal connections. The song emerged from Cain’s deep reflections on the sacrifices made for one’s career and the importance of maintaining a strong bond with those left behind.

“Faithfully” was written on a bus during a long night journey, with Cain contemplating the paradox of being surrounded by fans yet feeling isolated without his loved ones. This introspection led to the creation of a ballad that not only resonated with fellow musicians but also with anyone who’s ever faced the challenge of balancing a demanding career with the needs of a relationship.

The emotional depth of “Faithfully” is further enriched by the understanding of the toll that the music industry can take on artists and their families. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and commitments required to preserve love amidst the chaos of life. Cain’s heartfelt lyrics and the song’s emotive melody capture the universal struggle to keep love alive against the odds, making “Faithfully” an enduring anthem of love, sacrifice, and hope for generations.

Related posts:

  • Cicciolina (Ft. Ilona Staller) – “I Was Made For Dancing” Lyrics Meaning
  • Metallica – “Fade to Black” Lyrics Meaning
  • Bruce Springsteen – ”Dancing In the Dark” Lyrics Meaning
  • Sade – “Is It a Crime?” Lyrics Meaning

Understand your favorite songs.

Our mission is to analyze your favorite songs and share the story behind them.

© 2024 MelodyInsight

Songfacts Logo

  • Songwriter Interviews
  • Song Writing
  • Fact or Fiction
  • They're Playing My Song
  • Songfacts Pages
  • Songwriting Legends
  • Songfacts Podcast
  • Amanda Flinner
  • Bruce Pollock
  • Corey O'Flanagan
  • Dan MacIntosh
  • Laura Antonelli
  • Leslie Michele Derrough
  • Maggie Grimason
  • Nicole Roberge
  • Roger Catlin
  • Shawna Ortega
  • Stephanie Myers
  • Trevor Morelli

Faithfully by Journey

faithfully by journey

Songfacts®:

  • Journey keyboard player Jonathan Cain wrote this song about the challenges of being a married man on the road in a rock band: Always another show Wondering where I am Lost without you At the time, he was married to his first wife, Tané, a singer who had a #37 hit in 1982 called "Holdin' On," which Jonathan co-wrote and produced. He and Tané divorced a few years later, despite him pledging in this song to be "forever yours... faithfully."
  • In his Songfacts interview , Jonathan Cain said, "God gave me that song," as he wrote it so quickly. "I started it on the bus heading to Saratoga Springs," he said. "I woke up the next day with a napkin on the side of my nightstand and I looked at the lyrics, 'Highway run into the midnight sun.' Then I got this supernatural download: This is the rest of the song. I wrote rest of it down, almost frantically. I'd never had a song come to me so quickly that it was anointed, supernatural. Literally, in 30 minutes I had written that song. I had the napkin in my pocket and I put it on the piano. I had a big grand piano there by the orchestra. I played through it and I thought, 'Man, this is good.' The Lord gave me permission to finish it. Normally I would go to Steve Perry or somebody and say, 'Help me finish this song.' No. God gave me the mind to finish it, and the rest is history. That would be a love song to God, absolutely."
  • According to the liner notes in Journey's Time3 compilation, Cain paid tribute to Journey road manager Pat Morrow and stage manager Benny Collins in the line, "We all need the clowns to make us smile." "He told me he got the melody out of a dream," said Neal Schon. "I wish something like that would happen to me." "Basically it's a road song," Cain said. "You know I'm being a good dog out here - don't worry about it."
  • Like " Rosanna " by Toto, this contains lyrics delivered by the lead singer but written by another member of the band, which led many fans to believe Steve Perry wrote the song about a particular girl.
  • Journey's first music video was for this song. At the time, finding a director for a video wasn't easy, especially in America, so the band's manager, Herbie Herbert, hired the guys from NFL Films to shoot footage of the band on the road and onstage. So the same guys who filmed Walter Payton scoring touchdowns also filmed Steve Perry shaving his mustache. Journey hated making videos, but couldn't ignore the promotional impact of MTV. The network favored acts like Journey at the time because they were trying to position themselves with a rock format.
  • The song was performed by Lea Michele and Cory Monteith in the first season finale of Glee , along with several other Journey songs in the same episode. In the week after the transmission of the episode, download sales of the Glee version were sufficient to return the song to the Top 40 of the Hot 100.
  • When he was young, Jonathan Cain wanted to be a priest. He attended the Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago and survived the 1958 fire there that killed 95 people. He stepped away from his faith, and after going through turmoil with Journey and enduring two failed marriages, he had an epiphany on a road in Florida, where he found himself calling out to God. He joined the New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida, and in 2015 married its pastor, Paula White. In 2016 he released his first album of worship music, What God Wants to Hear . Looking back on "Faithfully," he saw it in a different light. "If you take 'Oh girl' and you put 'Oh God' in there, you've got a Christian song," he told Songfacts.
  • More songs from Journey
  • More songs about being away from loved ones
  • More songs covered by the Glee cast
  • More songs from 1983
  • Lyrics to Faithfully
  • Journey Artistfacts

Comments: 39

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, Michigan You know, dudes, it's too bad this band's videos suck because their songs are so effin' amazing. And I'm with you 'Raf from Clovis, Ca; this song gets me in the feels every time.
  • Chase Tart from North Carolina I’m 14 and this has to be my favorite song, which testifies to this song being so timeless. Not many musicians would credit God with the gift to write songs, so major props to Jonathan.
  • Anonymous from Nacogdoches Texas I get the joy of rediscovering you...
  • A-bomb from Duluth, Ga Usa And being apart ain't easy on this love affair Two strangers learn to fall in love again I get the joy Of rediscovering you Oh girl, you stand by me I'm forever yours, faithfully
  • Rafael Burgos from Clovis, Ca This song makes me cry.
  • Stuartdevoy from Cornwall, United Kingdom I was always ridiculed at school for liking Journey, not that any of the kids had ever heard there stuff, I'm English) I guess they weren't hip enough. then glee sing there songs and everybody's saying how good they are, all those years they missed out on, there is a lesson there somewhere. this is a great track used to stand in my bedroom with a tennis racket pretending to Neil Schon.
  • Betty from Bedford, Oh I thought this song was written by Steve Perry but I guess not LOL songs that are written about something you feel are the best songs. This is one of my ultimate favorites songs.
  • Hannah from Ottawa, On ANY Journey song is a good song but I particularly like Faithfully and Open Arms. They remind me of the early 8o's when I was in middle school. We always heard these songs at the school dances.
  • Megan from Stevenson, Al OMG! This song is so great! One of the greatest bands in history...
  • Mariana from Timisoara, Romania I decided to have this song played at my wedding when I first heard it, years before I met my husband. It is so beautiful and so romantic!
  • Jordan from San Antonio, Tx my bf is the best to me. im so thankful for him and how he treats me. after everything he still cares for me tremendously.. i cried when i heard this song after he told me it reminds him of me like crzy. he is a very known band...and this song fits his commitment towards me . i love him
  • Tt from Columbia, Sc A piece of history a song that will last forever and a day ,
  • Danny from Your Town, Ia A song that will stand the test of time. Our grandkids will be talking about this one. My 17 year old already does.
  • David from Youngstown, Oh One of the most unintentionally funny songs ever. The lyrics are so cliche. "They say that the road ain't no place to start a family" and "Circus lights under the big top world." So ridiculous. Forever yours...faithfully
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, Tn Journey's best song - hands down.
  • Brandon from Kalamazoo, Mi my favorite song of all time....just hits me every time...Steve Perry's voice it's so good
  • Jackie Moritz from Philadelphia, Pa When I first heard this song I was 13, now almost four years later this song still is my favorite! My best friend Jarred & I dedicated this song to each other. He moved away two years ago and to me this song describes how faithful we are to each other.
  • Aaron from Jacksonville, Fl When I first heard this song when I was 17 it has gotten me through a lot of tough times! One of there best!!
  • Rhodora from Quezon , Philippines This song was written by Jonathan Cain on a napkin of The Hilton Hotel when they were on the road, touring.
  • Aldrin from Manila, Philippines very romantic journey song..beautiful song lines accompanied with steve perry's powerful vocals and neil schon's guitar..man i have nothing to say about this song but for me its a classic..
  • Erikka from Buckeye, Az This song is probably the most romantic song I have ever heard!! I love it! I asked the DJ at prom if he would play it, and he asked me "Who's Journey?" I thought he was joking. I was 10 years younger than the guy, and he didn't even know who Journey is!! Pitiful, just pitiful.
  • Jeff from Chicago, Ga Randy jackson played bass on the Raised on Radio album and toured with the band.. that hot pink outfit he wore should be outlawed!!
  • Melissa from Lorton, Va I love this song... I remember when I was four and my dad would play this song on the radio to help me go to sleep. It is one of my favorite Journey songs.
  • Jeff from Austin, Tx I agree with Scott from Columbus. That is a fantastic line. And the line before it as well..."Two strangers learn to fall in love again". Unbelievable song, easily one of the best ever written. And as usual, Steve Perry sang the hell out of it.
  • Chris from Miami, Fl I used to love this song because I would always dedicate it to my gf wenever i would hear it but after all that it really meant nuthing. Its a great song with lyrics that have meaning but honestly I don't like it anymore =[
  • Julia from Knoxville, Tn Ryan, it's ironic that I notice you're in Mobile, AL. this song was popular when I lived there.
  • Julia from Knoxville, Tn My best friend was able to go to a Journey concert, and that is what makes her get emotional now when she and I both hear the song.
  • Matt from Bristol, United States I first heard this song about 10 years ago on a TV advert for a sale on sofas at BHS :P Then, last year, I bought a Journey album and was instantly reaquainted.
  • I. Orta from Austin, Tx it stinks being born in 89 cuz nobody tells you about all this great music that was created before any song that came out was manufactured from a make up artist an excutive and some eye candy to sell records. i wanna know what the good times were like, especially when gas was low. and 80s people thought they knew everything, i wanna know!!!!
  • Mike from Orleans, In This is my favorite Journey song. i am one of a few students at my high school who listens to Journey.
  • Brad from Redding, Ca Has anybody seen the music video for this? It has got to be one of the most unintentially funny things I've ever seen. The shot of Steve Perry about to shave his moustache is hilarious.
  • Millerman from Dacusville, Sc Hey Danny in Cape Breton (sounds like a beautiful place), it was 3 years after this song was released before Randy Jackson came on board for the Journey lads. Cheers, mate!
  • Robert from San Francisco, Ca Great ipod song while riding throught the streets of SF!
  • Danny from Cape Breton, Canada totaly wicked song i was wondering if american idol judge randy jackson played with journey or this track as a basist, i am sure he has, as said earlier this one will take you back to that special one who will always be faithfully!
  • Scott from Columbus, Oh The line: "I get the joy of re-discovering you" is nothing short of genius and inspiring...what a beautiful way to say I still appreiciate your love and how much it inspires me. Fooking beautiful! Journey was a certainly one of the best combinations of musicians to ever become. Bravo!
  • Jayna from Youngstown, Oh Journey is by far the GREATEST band in the entire world!!! i love open arms best song ever! faithfully is my 2nd favorite song!! JOURNEY KICKS ASS!!
  • Dee from Indianapolis, In This has to be one of the best love songs ever written. Between this and Open Arms you can't go wrong for slow dancing or romancing. This reminds me of some of my 1st crushes I had as a early teen. I still can tear up over this one at times.
  • Ryan from Mobile, Al True True...it is a great song. I do think of the one that got away :'(
  • Joe from Ocala, Fl You can't hear this song without thinking of the girl that got away in your own life.

More Songfacts:

Tears for Fears

Everybody Wants To Rule The World Tears for Fears

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" was a line from a 1980 Clash song called "Charlie Don't Surf." Tears For Fears used it as the title of their 1985 hit.

Gotye

Somebody That I Used To Know Gotye

45% of the royalties for "Somebody That I Used To Know" go to the estate of the Brazilian classical guitarist Luiz Bonfá, whose song "Seville" Gotye sampled.

Kate Smith

God Bless America Kate Smith

Irving Berlin said "God Bless America" was "not a patriotic song, but rather an expression of gratitude."

The Goo Goo Dolls

Name The Goo Goo Dolls

"Name" by The Goo Goo Dolls was partly inspired by lead singer John Rzeznik's flirtation with the MTV VJ Kennedy, who didn't want him to tell anyone her real name.

Enigma

Return To Innocence Enigma

"Return To Innocence" by Enigma is based on a Taiwanese chant by a husband and wife. The couple won a lawsuit granting them royalties from the song.

Jimmy Buffett

Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett

"Margaritaville" is a state of mind, but it's most associated with Key West, Florida, where Jimmy Buffett moved when he was 24.

Editor's Picks

Maxi Priest

Maxi Priest Songwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Hardy

Hardy Songwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows Songwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

U2 Lyrics

U2 Lyrics Music Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge Songs Music Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson) Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Songfacts® Newsletter

A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs

Information

  • Terms of Service
  • Our Privacy Policy
  • Google Privacy Policy
  • Songfacts API
  • Music History Calendar
  • Song Licensing
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Manager
  • X (Twitter)

Contribution

  • Message Boards
  • Songfacts Writers

©2024 Songfacts, LLC

IMAGES

  1. Faithfully Journey Album Cover

    faithfully by journey

  2. Faithfully

    faithfully by journey

  3. Faithfully

    faithfully by journey

  4. Faithfully: Piano/Vocal/Chords: Journey

    faithfully by journey

  5. Faithfully

    faithfully by journey

  6. Faithfully Journey Album Cover

    faithfully by journey

VIDEO

  1. Faithfully by Journey Lyrics

  2. Journey

  3. JOURNEY "FAITHFULLY" with STEVE PERRY

  4. Journey Faithfully Live Philly 2024

  5. Faithfully

  6. Journey- Faithfully. Live in Orlando 2024