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Open Arms by Journey

Songfacts®:

• Written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain , this song is about a couple who drifted apart but found each other again and realized how much they love each other. >> Suggestion credit : James - Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
• According to the liner notes in Journey's Time3 compilation, Jonathan Cain came to Journey with this melody already written. It could have been a song for the Babys, his previous band, except that Babys vocalist John Waite rejected the melody as "too syrupy." He sheepishly showed the tune to Perry on his portable Wurlitzer keyboard and Perry immediately wanted to do it. The rest of the band wasn't so sure. "They were opposed to the ballad," said Perry. "Neal hated the idea and Jon Cain thought maybe John Waite was right." The third single from Escape not only went on to become the band's highest charting single and sent album sales into orbit, but pioneered the entire concept of the power ballad. "Now everybody's got to have one," said Perry. Waite came around as well: his big hit as a solo artist was the ballad " Missing You ."
• " Don't Stop Believin' " has become Journey's most popular song, but it only charted at #9 in America; "Open Arms" was the group's biggest hit on the Hot 100, reaching #2, where it stayed for six weeks, first behind " Centerfold " and then " I Love Rock And Roll ."
• Mariah Carey recorded this for her 1996 album Daydream . Her version hit #4 in the UK.
• This was used in the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal . It also appears in these films: Daddy's Home 2 (2017) I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) Date Movie (2006) The Last American Virgin (1982)
• More songs from Journey
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• Lyrics to Open Arms
• Journey Artistfacts

Comments: 13

• Luna Loud from Royal Woods, Michigan Armin from Fort Worth/Dallas: It's not in a minor key, dude. It's in D major. But, yeah, I wouldn't classify it a "monster ballad" or "power ballad", because there's really no, well, "power CHORDS" being played. IDK I guess that's how I've always defined the word "power ballad", though there is definitely power in the melody, lyrics, and emotion, so I guess you could call it that. And Frank from Canada: real men cry. Don't be afraid to let it out, bro.
• Armin from Dallas/fort Worth I have trouble thinking of this song as a power ballad but after reading the cooments, I think I understand. It doesn't seem to fit the mold of a typical power ballad: sensitive passages driven home by a power-rock section---a light-to-heavy transition. Think Stairway to Heaven or Aerosmith's Dream On. Separate Ways seems all power, no ballad. They lyrics are deeply sentimental, especially as delivered by Steve Perry's crooning, but the constant charge in the music sounds more like power pop. I understand now that it's really the intense emotions in the lyrics and the minor key that set the prevailing mood and this song is just a little too unique to classify so conveniently.
• Mckinzie from United States I love this song so very much! I want to dance to this song with my future husband at my future wedding.
• Barry from Sauquoit, Ny On October 28th 1977, Journey appeared in concert at Bill Graham's Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California... It marked Steve Perry's first concert appearance as the lead singer of the West Coast-Bay Area group... Just over five months later on April 2nd, 1978 the group's first charted record, "Wheel in the Sky", would enter Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #89, five weeks later on May 7th it peaked at #57 {for 1 week} and it stayed on the chart for 8 weeks... Between 1978 and 1985 the group had twenty seven Top 100 records; six made the Top 10 with "Open Arms"* being their biggest hit, it peaked at #2... {See next post below}.
• Barry from Sauquoit, Ny On January 10th 1982, "Open Arms" by Journey entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on February 21st it peaked at #2 (for 6 weeks) and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100 (and 10 of those 18 weeks were on the Top 10)... It also reached #2 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart... The first three weeks it was at #2, the #1 record was "Centerfold" by the J. Geils Band and the last three weeks it was "I Love Rock 'N Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts was at #1... Was track 5 on side 2 of the group's seventh studio album, 'Escape', and on September 6th, 1981 peaked at #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart... Three other tracks off the album also made the Top 100; "Who's Crying Now" (#4), "Don't Stop Believin'" (#9) and "Still The Ride" (#19)...
• Hannah from Ottawa, On Steve Perry has such a beautiful voice. This song is definitely one of the greatest songs of all time!
• Gina from Springfield, Mo This song came out just before my husband & I was married in March of 1982; always been a very special song to me!
• Aimee from Plant City, Fl One of the most special songs ever written!
• Megan from Stevenson, Al This song is so sweet! Beautiful...<3 Makes me cry everytime!
• Joe O from Schenectady, Ny an absolutely gorgeous song, I am learning to play this one on my keyboards. Surprisingly enough, it's not that difficult. I've become a bigger fan of Journey thru this and also from knowing about the history of Journey. Thanks to Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry for this song and the entire Journey catalog of great hits.
• Richard from Houston, Tx It's easy for a song to do that. Think about it - the singer and/or writer has poured their heart into the song, and there's obviously emotion behind it. Just a matter of finding it.
• Stu from Philly, Pa It's not stupid for a song to make you cry. Sometimes a song just hits you in the exact right spot. Something so beautiful. Frank, that's one of my favorite songs, and if you think it hits you when you hear it, try playing it. whoo! what a powerful experience it is to play that song.
• Frank from Brampton, Ontario, Canada As with any other sad song I hear, this one makes me cry alot. Hey... I know that may seem really stupid on my part, but you know.... heartfelt songs like this one really do make ppl cry. Trust me, if such powerful ballads like this make you cry, then you know it really is a good song.

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Open Arms (Journey song)

1982 single by journey / from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, dear wikiwand ai, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:.

Can you list the top facts and stats about Open Arms (Journey song)?

Summarize this article for a 10 year old

" Open Arms " is a song by American rock band Journey . It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape . Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain , the song is a power ballad whose lyrics attempt to renew a drifting relationship. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching number two in February 1982 and holding that position for six weeks (behind " Centerfold " by the J. Geils Band and " I Love Rock 'n' Roll " by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts ). [3]

"Open Arms" has been covered by various recording artists . American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart . The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer and songwriter Barry Manilow , R&B group Boyz II Men , American country music legend Dolly Parton , and Canadian singer Celine Dion . It is a favorite on reality television singing competitions as well, being performed by contestants on US shows The Voice and American Idol , and on the UK's The X Factor.

Journey's recording of "Open Arms" has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written; [4] [5] VH1 named the song as the greatest power ballad of all time. [6] Mike DeGagne of AllMusic described it as "one of rock's most beautiful ballads", which "gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster." [7]

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Home › Recording

Classic Tracks: Journey’s “Open Arms”

By Robyn Flans

VH-1 named it the greatest power ballad of all time, and even though it only went to Number 2 on the Billboard charts in February 1982, “Open Arms” remains Journey’s biggest U.S. hit. Journey fans might dispute that “Don’t Stop Believin’” is their most popular, but that song, which has become an anthem of sorts, […]

VH-1 named it the greatest power ballad of all time, and even though it only went to Number 2 on the Billboard charts in February 1982, “Open Arms” remains Journey’s biggest U.S. hit. Journey fans might dispute that “Don’t Stop Believin’” is their most popular, but that song, which has become an anthem of sorts, thanks in part to politics and sports, went only as high as Number 9.

When the group went into Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, Calif., to record Escape in April of 1981, it was with the band that was going to catapult them to the massive success they were destined to achieve. They were not a new band by any means. Escape would be their seventh album. Gregg Rolie had just exited, drummer Steve Smith had joined the previous year and this would be the first Journey project for Jonathan Cain of Babys fame. He would have a lot to do with the future success of the band, and the beginnings of this song was left over—actually, a John Waite rejection—from The Babys and a display of what Cain and lead singer Steve Perry could do in the writing department.

With the evolution of players came a change of sound, and it wasn’t necessarily one lead guitarist Neal Schon welcomed with open arms (pun intended) on this particular track.

Kevin Elson, who produced the album along with Mike Stone, corroborated what Perry told VH1 Behind the Music : that the session was made somewhat of an ordeal by Schon.

“It wasn’t so much during the tracking,” Elson says. “It really was while the vocals were going on. We had to send him away. You can’t have someone sitting around in the control room making faces while the singer is trying to sing a song. Perry sang with such emotion.”

Schon, whose roots were formed playing with Santana at age 15, would call those kinds of ballads “Mickey Mouse” or “Mary Poppins.” He did not want to see the band becoming a different version of itself.

In the Behind the Music episode, Perry also mentioned that after the band performed the song in concert for the first time on tour, Schon commented, “Man, that song really kicked ass!” And Perry recalled, “I looked at him and I wanted to kill him.”

Elson first heard the song at rehearsals in a nearby Oakland warehouse. He recalls that it was “short and to the point.” “There was no point in having giant vocal choruses or guitar solos. It was just a beautiful ballad,” Elson says. They spent six weeks in that warehouse honing the tunes before entering Fantasy.

“‘After the Fall’ was probably the song we worked on more than any particular song in the studio, just getting the right feel because it was such a different feel for the band,” Elson says. “‘Escape’ had so many sections, but everything else was just so straight-ahead. ‘Open Arms’ was not difficult at all. They played it at the warehouse quite a bit and rehearsed it. Then it was just a matter of what tempo delivered. That’s why I always pushed for the singer to sing with the track. Because if you wait till the end, you might feel you wish it were a little slower or a little quicker.”

And Perry always sang with the track. Elson says he believes that what set “Open Arms” apart from other power ballads of the time was Steve Perry’s vocal.

“Whenever we tracked, he sang, just to kind of get to feel where the drums might push or where the guitar might lift,” Elson says. (As an aside, Elson adds that the guide vocal on “Mother, Father” on the same album is actually what ended up on the record.)

“Everything we did, we did full-on,” Elson says. “You would not believe what it would sound like if you pulled the vocals back. Basically, all those songs were so well-rehearsed before we went in. Nobody liked belaboring time in the studio, so everything was done live. The guitar solos were done live, we tracked everything. There was no piecemealing anything, with drum machines or anything. It was always a full-band performance.”

Because of that, they tracked and mixed 16 songs in six weeks, to the total budget of about $110,000.

There were two principal microphones they found best suited for Perry’s voice, depending on the song.

“We used the Neumann U 47 and the M 49,” Elson recalls. “We used the U 47 on the more up things like ‘Escape.’ The U 47 could accept a little more of the hard pushing.” On the “Open Arms” vocals, they used the Neumann M 49.

“At the time, nobody built a windscreen, so we had a makeshift screen out of women’s hose,” Elson says. “These mics were so sensitive that you had to keep the moisture out as much as possible. Steve had so much air and moisture in his voice that he’d shut them down. He’d sing for hours and hours straight, and all of a sudden we’d hear the microphone degrade. We’d get out a hair dryer and start drying up the tubes. It was quite a process.”

Elson says that at the end of the recording, Perry wanted to buy the mics from Fantasy, but Fantasy refused.

The drum performance and recording are a big part of the power of the song. Steve Smith plays some cymbals in the beginning of the verse of “Open Arms,” which opens with just Cain’s piano and Perry’s vocal. Smith’s drums enter later during the first verse but he doesn’t break out the big-gun drums until the second verse. That, of course, is a combination of the way Smith plays and some recording technique.

“It was a combination of two things: the EMT 250, the first digital reverb that we call the robot, and the close-room sound of it, and then tape delay on an EMT plate,” Elson explains. “We actually used the tape machine delay to decay, so you hear the attack and then you hear the echo after. You almost hear a cannon when it happens because you’re hearing the ‘verb you built come later behind the beat. You hear the attack and you hear kinda the drum decay again later. There was so much room in the song that there’s plenty of room to hear that. On that track it’s basically a guitar, piano, drums and bass. Later we did a quartet—we did many versions of mixes of no strings, yes strings, more strings, less strings. So the drums could be a big part of that song.”

Elson is quick to add that Smith’s sensibility on the drums was a big part of the sound. “Drummers play, but Steve almost plays musical notes,” he says. “It’s almost melody.”

On the outside of the kick drum, they used a Neumann U 47, on the inside they used a beyerdynamic M 88; on the top of the snare an AKG 414, with a Shure SM57 on the bottom; Sennheiser MD421s on the toms, an AKG 451 on the hi-hat, Neumann U 87s for room and overheads. On the piano they used a Neumann U 47 and an AKG 414.

“I believe Neal used the Roland synth guitar on that track,” Elson recalls. “Neal always used his own effects.” Elson said he believes Schon used a Sony C37, an AKG 414 and a Shure SM57.

Fantasy at the time had a Neve 8108 console, Studer A800 24-track tape machine and Ampex ATR 2-track.

Schon’s father, Matt (who also provided arrangements on “Mother, Father”), wrote the charts for the strings, which Elson said was a simple quartet, triple overdub, with Neumann U 87s and AKG 414s to capture.

Despite Schon’s distaste for ballads, “Open Arms” stayed at Number 2 for six weeks.

Elson says he knew immediately it was a hit.

“I knew in rehearsal,” he says. “And moreso when it was finished, just like everyone else that heard it.”

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Open Arms is a Rock song by Journey, released on May 3rd 1981 in the album Escape (Bonus Track Version). If you like Open Arms, you might also like You're The One That I Want - From “Grease” by John Travolta and Two Princes by Spin Doctors and the other songs below ..

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MUSIC LEGACY

Journey - open arms.

"Open Arms" is a song by American rock band Journey. It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics attempt to renew a drifting relationship. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit.

"Open Arms" has been covered by various recording artists. American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer and songwriter Barry Manilow, R&B group Boyz II Men and Canadian singer Celine Dion.

Journey's recording of "Open Arms" has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written; VH1 named the song as the greatest power ballad of all time.[6] Mike DeGagne of AllMusic described it as "one of rock's most beautiful ballads", which "gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster."

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Song stories, trending in music, recording studios, 👋 welcome. what brings you here today, 🎸 i want to know the story of the song 'open arms', 📚 i want to know the meaning of the song 'open arms', 🎧 i want to listen to the song 'open arms', discover the story of the song > open arms – journey, who sang open arms.

Journey released the song Open Arms . Date of release: 1982.

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Journey - Open Arms - Lyrics Meaning

The song "Open Arms" by rock legends Journey was written by Jonathon Cain and Steve Perry who were both members of the band. When Jonathon Cine first came to the band he already had this melody written which he originally suggested to the band the Baby's but it was rejected as they thought that it was too sappy. When he first joined Journey he played the song for Perry on his keyboard and Perry immediately liked it and wanted to do it; however the rest of the band wasn't as easily convinced about the ballet. Although they were undecided, they went with it and the song went on to be highest charted single for Journey.

The meaning behind the song "Open Arms" is a live story about a couple who drifted apart over time and then found their way back to each other again. Once they found their way back together they then realized how much they loved each other after all and that they were meant to be. Basically, the ballad is a plea from one lover to another begging them to forgive their wrong doings of the past and asking them to start the relationship fresh. This song was one of Journey's biggest hits which reached #2 on the Billboard top 100 charts in 1982.

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Lyrics: .

Lying beside you Here in the dark Feeling your heartbeat with mine Softly you whisper You're so sincere How could our love be so blind We sailed on together We drifted apart And here you are By my side

So now I come to you With open arms Nothing to hide Believe what I say So here I am With open arms Hoping you'll see What your love means to me Open arms

Living without you Living alone This empty house seems so cold Wanting to hold you Wanting you near How much I wanted you home

But now that you've come back Turned night into day I need you to stay

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Peak Position: #2 Number of Weeks on Chart: 18

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Journey-Open Arms

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Open Arms (Journey song)

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" Open Arms " is a song by American rock band Journey . It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape . Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain , the song is a power ballad whose lyrics attempt to renew a drifting relationship. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching number two in February 1982 and holding that position for six weeks (behind " Centerfold " by the J. Geils Band and " I Love Rock 'n' Roll " by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts ). [3]

"Open Arms" has been covered by various recording artists . American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart . The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer and songwriter Barry Manilow , R&B group Boyz II Men and Canadian singer Celine Dion . It is a favorite on reality television singing competitions as well, being performed by contestants on US shows The Voice and American Idol , and on the UK's The X Factor.

Journey's recording of "Open Arms" has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written; [4] [5] VH1 named the song as the greatest power ballad of all time. [6] Mike DeGagne of AllMusic described it as "one of rock's most beautiful ballads", which "gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster." [7]

• 1.1 In popular culture
• 2.1 Escape version
• 2.2 Revelation version
• 3.1 Weekly charts
• 3.2 Year-end charts
• 3.3 Certifications
• 4.1 Critical reception
• 4.2 Formats and track listings
• 4.3.1 Weekly charts
• 4.3.2 Year-end charts
• 5 Other cover versions
• 6 Live cover performances
• 7 References
• 8 External links

Journey version [ ]

Journey recorded "Open Arms" for their seventh studio album, Escape , which was produced by Kevin Elson and Mike Stone . Jonathan Cain had begun writing the song while he was still a member of The Babys , but Babys vocalist John Waite turned down the melody as "sentimental rubbish". Cain eventually finished the song with Steve Perry during the writing sessions for Escape , changing the key from A to D and changing the melody slightly, [8] but it was almost left off the album; Journey's guitarist Neal Schon reportedly disliked the song because "it was so far removed from anything [Journey] had ever attempted to record before". [8] Drummer Steve Smith recalls that Schon noted that it "sounds kinda Mary Poppins ", [8] added to which the other members of the band were against the idea of performing ballads. [9]

In 2005 Perry commented on the emotions he felt while producing Live in Houston 1981: The Escape Tour and listening to the band performing the song 24 years previously: "I had to keep my head down on the console when "Open Arms" was on. There is one line in the song that I always wanted to be a certain way. I have ideals about certain things. The line "wanting you near" — I just wanted that line to go up and soar. I wanted it to be heartfelt. Every time it would come by I would just have to keep my head down and try to swallow the lump in my throat. I felt so proud of the song." [10]

In the Journey episode of VH1 's Behind the Music , Perry recalls the recording sessions for the song becoming an ordeal; Schon taunted Perry and Cain in the studio. But when the band performed it in concert for the first time during their Escape Tour in the fall of 1981, the audience was thunderstruck, much to Schon's disbelief. After two encores, the band left the stage and Schon suddenly said, "Man, that song really kicked ass!" Perry recalled being incensed at Schon's hypocrisy. "I looked at him, and I wanted to kill him," he later said. [8]

During an episode of the radio show In the Studio with Redbeard devoted to the album Escape , Jonathan Cain said he was ill with a bad cold when he recorded the piano track to "Open Arms" and wanted to re-do the track. Everybody else disagreed and they used the track Cain recorded while "under the weather".

"Open Arms" was used on the soundtrack to the animated Canadian film Heavy Metal (released to theatres in August 1981), and it was released as the third single from Escape in January 1982 in the United States. It was also featured on two occasions during scenes of the 1982 film The Last American Virgin . It became one of Journey's biggest singles there, and the most successful of the five singles released from Escape (only one other, "Who's Crying Now", reached the top five). It stayed at number 2 for six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 , kept from the number one spot by " Centerfold " by the J. Geils Band and " I Love Rock 'n' Roll " by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and it was also a top ten hit on Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks . The single was less successful on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks , only reaching the top forty.

The song and its status as a power ballad has been remembered years following its original release. One critic praised "Open Arms" as "a lyrical rock ballad and one of the band's best-written songs", [11] while the Associated Press wrote that the song was "fueled by Perry's operatic, high-flying vocal style." [12] It has also been referred to as a "wedding anthem" (in a December 2005 Lumino article [13] ), and VH1 placed the song at number 1 on their "25 Greatest Power Ballads" list. [14] AllMusic said "One of rock's most beautiful ballads, "Open Arms" gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster," [15] and a review of a Journey concert in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution characterized the song as a "classic ballad". [16] Steve Perry told the Boston Globe , "I can't tell you how many times I get a tap on the shoulder and somebody says...'This was my prom song'." [17] Billboard called it a "sentimental ballad featuring some delicate keyboard work and Steve Perry's seductive vocal." [18] The song was later included on Journey's box set Time 3 (1992) and the compilation album The Essential Journey (2001).

In popular culture [ ]

In 2003 American Idol contestant Clay Aiken performed [19] the song during a key semi-final round of the show, and later in a duet with fellow Idol Kelly Clarkson (the winner from the previous year) on their joint February—April 2004 concert tour. "Open Arms" was included on the set list for Britney Spears ' 1999 ...Baby One More Time Tour , and it was also used as the love theme for Japanese director Eiichiro Hasumi's film Umizaru (2004). [20] Matt Stone and Trey Parker , the creators of the animated television comedy South Park , frequently reference and parody Journey and their music in their work. In Episode 132 of South Park , entitled " Erection Day " (2005), a little girl playing piano in a talent competition begins to sing the opening to "Open Arms" ("Lying beside you, here in the dark...") before the scene ends. In the 2007 film I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry the song is played during a gay benefit costume party. "Open Arms" is one of twelve greatest hits re-recorded by Journey featuring current lead vocalist Arnel Pineda on the second disc of their latest 2008 album Revelation . The song also appeared in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin as well as a 1982 episode of the US daytime soap opera General Hospital . The song was used in the Season 3 finale of Cobra Kai .

Personnel [ ]

Escape version [ ].

• Steve Perry – lead vocals
• Neal Schon – lead guitar , backing vocals
• Jonathan Cain – keyboards , rhythm guitar , backing vocals
• Ross Valory – bass , backing vocals
• Steve Smith – drums , percussion , backing vocals

Revelation version [ ]

• Arnel Pineda – lead vocals
• Neal Schon – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Jonathan Cain – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Ross Valory – bass, backing vocals
• Deen Castronovo – drums, backing vocals

Year-end charts [ ]

Certifications [ ], mariah carey version [ ].

Mariah Carey co-produced her cover of the song with Walter Afanasieff for her fifth album, Daydream (1995). Carey's career has crossed paths with Journey's: the band's drummer Steve Smith played drums on many of her earlier singles, and its bassist for a short period in the mid-1980s, Randy Jackson , has worked with her for a long time.

The single was released as the album's third single between late 1995 and early 1996 in most markets outside the United States. It became a number 4 hit in the United Kingdom and was performed live on the BBC 's flagship chart television show, Top of the Pops . It also reached the top-ten in Ireland, Poland and New Zealand; and the top-twenty in Iceland and the Netherlands. The single's music video, directed by Larry Jordan , is a live performance of the song by Carey at Madison Square Garden . The video for the Spanish version of the song, "El Amor Que Soñé", was recorded after the MSG show as Mariah performed to the studio track.

A UK CD single for "Open Arms" included the Daydream track "I Am Free" and live versions of " Fantasy " and " Vision of Love " (1990). Another version of the CD single comprised the album cuts of " Hero " (1993) and " Without You " (1994), and a radio edit of " I'll Be There " (1992).

UK sales for the song stand at 105,000 units. [35]

Critical reception [ ]

The cover was universally panned by critics. Bill Lamb felt it was "simply an uninspired song selection." [36] Stephen Thomas Erlewine also criticized the cover, calling it "second rate". [37] "Open Arms" received a negative review from Stephen Holden as well, who called it a "sobbing remake". [38] Rolling Stone called it an "ill-advised" cover. [39]

Formats and track listings [ ]

UK CD (Part 1) / Australian CD/Cassette (Part 1)

• "Open Arms" - 3:30
• "I Am Free" - 3:09
• "Fantasy" (Live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 4:32
• "Vision of Love" (Live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 3:50

UK CD (Part 2)

• "Open Arms"
• " Without You "
• " I'll Be There "

Australian CD/Cassette (Part 2)

• "Slipping Away" - 4:32
• "El Amor Que Soñé" - 3:29

UK Cassette Single

European CD Single

• "Vision of Love" (Live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 3:49

European CD Maxi-Single / European 12" Single

• "Fantasy" (Live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 4:31
• "Vision of Love" (live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 3:49
• " Make It Happen " (live from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden ) - 4:43

Other cover versions [ ]

• The Taiwanese boy band 5566 released a cover of "Open Arms" in 2005.
• Country music singer Collin Raye released a cover of "Open Arms" on his compilation album The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits in 1997. His version charted at number 70 on the Hot Country Songs charts that year based on unsolicited airplay.
• In 2016, South Korean singer and musical actress, Jung Yoo-ji sang Mariah Carey's rendition of the song during her special appearance at the Chinese version of the show "I Am The Singer".

Live cover performances [ ]

• American Idol contestant Clay Aiken performed the song during a key semi-final round of the show in 2003, and later in a duet with fellow Idol Kelly Clarkson (the winner from the previous year) on their joint February—April 2004 concert tour.
• Australian Idol season 3 finalist Anne Robertson performed this song on the show in 2005 for the 1980s theme night.
• American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin performed the song in 2006 on season 5 .
• 2008 The X Factor finalist, Daniel Evans recorded a version of the song which was released as his debut single on January 25, 2010 as a digital download.
• The X Factor contestant Joe McElderry performed his version of "Open Arms" as his second song on Semi-Final night, on December 5, 2009. All 4 judges hailed the performance on the night, with Louis Walsh saying that if Joe released that song tomorrow, he would have a Number 1 single the very next day. This performance saw Joe through to the Grand Final of the X Factor. [61]
• 2011 to 2015, Celine Dion performs "Open Arms" at the start of her Las Vegas show Celine . [62]
• Mexican band Tobby covered the song, as "Quiero Amar" ( English : "I Want to Love"), whose translation was made by Menny Carrasco , a member of the group. [63]
• The Voice contestant Jermaine Paul performed the song in 2012 on Season 2 of The Voice .
• The song has also been covered live by Korean singer Younha and Taiwanese boy band 5566 .
• Britney Spears performed the song at her cousin's wedding in 1996 when she was 15; this video eventually led to her getting a record contract. She also performed the song on her ...Baby One More Time Tour .
• The song has been covered live by several SM Entertainment artists including EXO .
• The song has also been covered by Philippine singer Aiza Seguerra .

References [ ]

• ↑ "RIAA certifications" . https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Journey#search_section .  
• ↑ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs" . SpinMedia . May 31, 2007 . http://www.stereogum.com/5507/40_most_softsational_softrock_songs/franchises/list/ .  
• ↑ Open Arms at AllMusic
• ↑ "100 Greatest Love Songs". VH1 . 2003. #4.
• ↑ "112 Greatest love songs, ever!" . Blender . #5.
• ↑ "25 Greatest Power Ballads" . Ep. 073. VH1 . Retrieved April 22, 2011.
• ↑ Journey: Escape . AllMusic . Retrieved April 16, 2012.
• ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 VH1 - Behind the Music - Journey
• ↑ travel media shopping computers hardware at steveperry-thejourneybeyond.com Script error: No such module "webarchive".
• ↑ "Classic Rock Revisited your online source for Rock and Metal fans" . Archived from the original . Error: If you specify |archiveurl= , you must also specify |archivedate= . https://web.archive.org/web/20060113045139/http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/Interviews05/steveperry05.htm .  
• ↑ ""Journey Hasn't Lost Its Popular Touch"; December 1986" . Steveperryfanclub.homestead.com . http://www.steveperryfanclub.homestead.com/JourneyHasntLostItsPopularTouch.html .  
• ↑ "Steve Perry News on Yahoo! Music" . Music.yahoo.com. January 22, 2005 . http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/14308947 .  
• ↑ "Journey doesn't stop believin'" . LuminoMagazine.com. December 4, 2005 . http://www.luminomagazine.com/mw/content/view/916/10/ .  
• ↑ "The Greatest | Show Cast, Episodes, Guides, Trailers, Web Exclusives, Previews" . VH1.com . http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/66390/episode_countdown.jhtml .  
• ↑ allmusic ((( Escape – Review )))
• ↑ Douthit, Rob (May 2, 2004). "Journey | Music Midtown Live" . AccessAtlanta . http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/musicmidtown/entries/2004/05/02/journey.html .  
• ↑ "He never stopped believin'" . The Boston Globe . November 5, 2005 . http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2005/11/05/he_never_stopped_believin/ .  
• ↑ "Top Single Picks" . Billboard : 51. January 16, 1982 . https://books.google.com/books?id=QCQEAAAAMBAJ . Retrieved 2023-01-21 .  
• ↑ "Clay Aiken - Season 2 - Group 2 - Open Arms (including Judge's Comments)" . YouTube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2-tkmCT3N0 .  
• ↑ "Midnight Eye review: Umizaru (2004, Eiichiro HASUMI)" . Midnighteye.com . http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/umizaru.shtml .  
• ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6 .  
• ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada" . http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4161&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=n53p45gda414ttqb7qulh3mq35 .  
• ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada" . http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0492&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=n53p45gda414ttqb7qulh3mq35 .  
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s JOURNEY – OPEN ARMS" . Top 40 Singles .
• ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink". /chart-history/HSI "Journey Chart History (Hot 100)" . Billboard .
• ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink". /chart-history/ASI "Journey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)" . Billboard .
• ↑ Script error: No such module "WLink". /chart-history/RTT "Journey Chart History (Mainstream Rock)" . Billboard .
• ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 3/13/82" . Archived from the original . Error: If you specify |archiveurl= , you must also specify |archivedate= . https://web.archive.org/web/20110828224031/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19820313.html .  
• ↑ Chart Log UK - 1994–2010 - Jessie J – JX Zobbel.de
• ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada" . http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6167&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=n53p45gda414ttqb7qulh3mq35 .  
• ↑ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.  
• ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1982" . Archived from the original . Error: If you specify |archiveurl= , you must also specify |archivedate= . https://web.archive.org/web/20110913002620/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1982YESP.html .  
• ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Journey – Open Arms" . Music Canada . https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=Open+Arms%20Journey .  
• ↑ "American single certifications – Journey – Open Arms" . Recording Industry Association of America . https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Journey&ti=Open+Arms&format=Single&type=#search_section .  
• ↑ Mariah Carey official top 20 biggest-selling songs in the UK MTV . retrieved: May 3, 2010.
• ↑ Lamb, Bill. "Review Of Mariah Carey's 'Daydream'" . http://top40.about.com/od/reviews/gr/mcdaydream.htm .  
• ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine (October 3, 1995). "Daydream - Mariah Carey | Songs, Reviews, Credits" . http://www.allmusic.com/album/daydream-mw0000179794 .  
• ↑ Holden, Stephen (October 8, 1995). "POP MUSIC; Mariah Carey Glides Into New Territory" . The New York Times . https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/arts/pop-music-mariah-carey-glides-into-new-territory.html .  
• ↑ "Music Review: Daydream, by Mariah Carey" . Entertainment Weekly . October 13, 1995 . http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,299059,00.html .  
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" . ARIA Top 50 Singles . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" (in French). Ultratop 50 . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "The Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" . Music & Media. February 24, 1996 . http://thunder.prohosting.com/~euro100/archive/1996/euro9608.txt .  
• ↑ "Adult Contemporary Europe - ACE Top 25" . Music & Media . March 30, 1996 . https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-03-30.pdf .  
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" (in French). Les classement single . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "Mariah Carey - Open Arms" (in de). GfK Entertainment . https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-3181 .  
• ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Nr. 161: Vikuna 16.3. - 22.3. '96" . Dagblaðið Vísir : 26. March 16, 1996 . http://timarit.is/files/12296019.pdf#navpanes=1&view=FitH . Retrieved April 4, 2018 .  
• ↑ " The Irish Charts – Search Results – Open Arms" . Irish Singles Chart . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "M-1 TOP 40" . M-1.fm . http://m-1.fm/top40/?topid=1353 .  
• ↑ " Nederlandse Top 40 – week 11, 1996 " (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved May 20, 2015.
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" (in Dutch). Single Top 100 . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" . Top 40 Singles . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "Major Market Airplay: Poland" . Music & Media . March 3, 1996. p. 27 . https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-03-02.pdf .  
• ↑ "Major Market Airplay: Spain" . Music & Media . April 13, 1996. p. 35 . https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-04-13.pdf .  
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" . Singles Top 100 . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ " Script error: No such module "WLink". &titel= Script error: No such module "WLink". &cat=s Mariah Carey – Open Arms" . Swiss Singles Chart . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History" . Official Charts Company . Retrieved May 23, 2015.
• ↑ "CHR/Rhythmic Top 50". Radio & Records : 41. February 23, 1996. Template:ProQuest .  
• ↑ "Discos más populares de Latinoamérica" (in es). El Siglo de Torreón : 38. May 18, 1996 . http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1996/05/18/38/Ar03800.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=80799&PageLabelPrint=38&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sDateFrom=%30%31%25%32%46%30%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%36&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%36&dummy=%31%39%39%36&sQuery=%4d%61%72%69%61%68%2b%43%61%72%65%79&x=%34&y=%37&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%35&ViewMode=HTML . Retrieved July 15, 2022 .  
• ↑ "Árslistinn 1996" (in is). Dagblaðið Vísir : p. 16. January 2, 1997 . https://timarit.is/page/2949469#page/n15/mode/2up .  
• ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1996" (in nl). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40 . http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr1996.html .  
• ↑ "X Factor Performance" . Youtube.com. August 3, 2007 . https://www.youtube.com/user/TheXFactorUK#p/u/5/KCT-qK2Pvy0 .  
• ↑ Sutherland, Anne. "Celine Dion magnificent in new Vegas show" . Montreal Gazette . April 14, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
• ↑ "Quiero Amar" . am.com.mx. October 29, 2010 . http://www.am.com.mx/Nota.aspx?ID=435435 .  

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Journey : Open Arms Meaning

Song Released: 1982

Open arms lyrics.

While i listen to this song, i picture my father and how he came back into my life after so long. He then died last year and i remember the relationship he and I shared

The meaning behind the song "Open Arms" is a live story about a couple who drifted apart over time and then found their way back to each other again. Once they found their way back together they then realized how much they loved each other after all and that they were meant to be. Basically, the ballad is a plea from one lover to another begging them to forgive their wrong doings of the past and asking them to start the relationship fresh. This song was one of Journey's biggest hits which reached #2 on the Billboard top 100 charts in 1982.

Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry co-wrote this song, after Cain's previous band The Baby's turned it down because they found it too ballad-y. Perry on the other hand loved it and filled in the lyrics and lended his iconic voice to the song, thus making it one of the most popular Journey songs ever.

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Relative minor

This song is played in D major

Notes in D major A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G

Chords in D major D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, and C#dim

Relative Minor You can also play this song in B minor. Just be sure to emphasize the minor key more when you use it. Other than that, the same notes and chords apply.

Related songs

Lying beside you Here in the dark Feeling your heartbeat with mine Softly you whisper You're so sincere How could our love be so blind We sailed on together We drifted apart And here you are By my side

So now I come to you With open arms Nothing to hide Believe what I say So here I am With open arms Hoping you'll see What your love means to me Open arms

Living without you Living alone This empty house seems so cold Wanting to hold you Wanting you near How much I wanted you home

But now that you've come back Turned night into day I need you to stay