As I bring to a close this three-week look at major artists who failed to achieve a #1 hit, I wanted to save a big one for last.
Journey has released two Platinum, five multi-Platinum, and one Diamond studio album. They also lay claim to two Platinum or multi-Platinum live albums, and a greatest hits collection that went 18X Platinum. That’s a lot of platinum!
And yet, despite releasing some of the most iconic pop rock songs of the 70s and 80s, Journey has never reached the top of the Hot 100.
Before I begin, Happy 18th Birthday to my nephew Daniel! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to his recent EP, Daniel Gallup, you can do so through my blog right here.
My #4 album of 1981 is the only one on this list that I actually listened to in 1981. In fact, I’m pretty sure Journey’s Escape was the first album I ever owned. It was also the first (and last) album I ever experienced in the form of an arcade game.
20 Best Songs of the 80s – #2
You didn’t think I’d make it through this whole list without a Journey song, did you?
This spot could have been filled with any number of songs by Steve Perry and the boys — ‘Who’s Crying Now,’ ‘Stone in Love,’ ‘Open Arms,’ ‘Separate Ways,’ ‘Send Her My Love,’ just pick one. I’m going with ‘Don’t Stop Believin” because it’s the iconic Journey song, and also because its brand of muscular rock optimism really encapsulates the music of the 80s.
Meet Me In Montauk 