Journey – 'The Way We Used To Be'

Despite their undoubted success, the past few years have also been troublesome and unforgiving for Journey’s principle members and songwriters Neal Schon (guitar) and Jonathan Cain (keyboards/guitar); losing drummer Deen Castronovo to much publicised personal issues in 2015 followed by a very public and bitter spat with the rhythm section of original bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith, leading to them being fired and a lawsuit filed against them by Schon and Cain for an “ill-conceived corporate coup d’état”. This was further exacerbated by Valory countersuing for breach of contract and led many music commentators to wonder whether the band could continue at all.

The scarab beetle has been a prominent image on the band’s album covers since the early 1980s and is believed to be a representation of rebirth. Therefore, it really shouldn’t have been much of a surprise when Schon and Cain announced a new line-up of Journey in May 2020. The pair retained the services of potentially the best-ever YouTube find in Filipino singer Arnel Pineda who joined in 2007 but recruited a new rhythm section of bass player Randy Jackson and drummer Narada Michael Walden along with an additional keyboardist/vocalist in Jason Derlatka. Jackson is no stranger to Journey or to music fans in general, having played on 1986 album Raised on Radio before cementing his place in US popular culture by appearing as one of the longest serving judges on American Idol. Walden is an 8-time Grammy nominee and much sought-after producer who has played with Jeff Beck and Mahavishnu Orchestra to name a few whilst Delatka is a well-known composer who has gained a lot of attention in recent years with fantastic vocal covers on his YouTube channel.

Taking cognisance of all of the above, the world of melodic rock listened with great interest when Journey unexpectedly released the new single The Way We Used To Be on Thursday 24th June 2021. It’s their first new music since 2011’s Eclipse album and the first proper chance to hear the new, experienced line-up of top-class musicians. Could it be the way it used to be or are some musical legacies best left untouched?

Kicking off with Cain’s unaccompanied keyboards, the track bursts to life with a crack of Walden’s drums that leads to a moody sounding intro of Jackson’s bass driving the track along and some bluesy guitar by Schon. Everything at this point indicates that it’s going to be a mid-tempo rocker; the very type that the Journey of old excelled at! As the verse starts, it’s clear that Pineda’s voice hasn’t lost any of its pizazz and has retained the star quality that led to him being discovered on YouTube in the first place. The chorus is where this track really comes to life as the lead vocals soar higher, enhanced by some simple but incredibly effective backing-vocal harmonies as they ask “Can we ever get back to the way we were doin’ it? To the way we were livin’ it? Back to the way we used to be?”. There’s a catchy synth riff repeating throughout the chorus, giving it a modern edge whilst a short Neal Schon guitar solo leads to the second verse. He takes another chance to shine after the second chorus with a trademark guitar solo that is unmistakably, well… Neal Schon! There’s just something about his style of play and tone that no other guitarist has quite mastered in the same way; melodic yet atmospheric. The bridge is almost a call and response between Pineda’s vocals and Schon’s guitar with the rock-solid rhythm section of Jackson and Walden keeping things moving along and leading perfectly to the chorus again. The track plays out with some wailing, verging on emotional guitar playing by Schon. Those with an artier disposition than me might say that this represents a longing for better days.

Lyrically, this song could be about two things; the effects of Covid-19 on our daily lives and our inability to touch or be with those we love… or it could be about a lost love or estranged friendship as suggested by lyrics such as “not seeing your face. I miss being close. But it’s your touch, babe, I miss the most” and “we’re in this together. It’s about what we choose. Our fears we have got to let go. As long as there’s me and you”. That’s often the beauty of song lyrics; they are what we want them to represent depending on how we feel and what we’re going through at the time. Irrespective of how this track makes you feel, the theme is one of hoping to return to simpler, better times. Oh, how relevant in the present day!

The Way We Used To Be is available now on the usual streaming platforms and has also been released with an official animation video. There’s still no word on release dates for a parent album but a recent interview with Neal Schon raised some hope that it could be before the end of the year. If this single is anything to go by, this is a rejuvenated Journey, setting out in a brave, new musical direction that sounds edgy and modern whilst maintaining an important connection to their 80’s glory days. Sometimes, it doesn’t always have to be the same as before or the way it used to be. Change can be a good thing. If anything, Journey have proved this with this excellent melodic hard rock track. Here’s to the future…!