One of the world’s best-selling bands of all time, Journey has been a major name in the Rock music genre for decades. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the band has had no shortage of chart-dominating hits.
They have also crooned some of the most memorable and enjoyable love songs in the genre. And if you are gunning for some rock flavor on your wedding playlist, what better serenade for all in attendance than the magnificent sounds of Journey?
In this article, we are going to show you the top 20 journey wedding songs that will bring that musical magic to your event.
Top Journey Wedding Songs to Try
After over four decades of their career, the Journey crew are still serenading us with their splendid art. As such, some of the songs here will be fairly recent ones. But without further ado, let’s get to the journey songs.
You will also love these other wedding songs:
1. Faithfully
Memorable lyrics: /Restless hearts, sleep alone tonight/ Sendin’ all my love along the wire/
Released in 1983 as part of the band’s album ‘Frontiers,’ ‘Faithfully’ is a powerful love song that was a strong couples’ favorite in the 80s. It was written by the band’s keyboardist, Jonathan Cain, who says he did it in a moment of exceptional inspiration. It’s a marvelous song to play for first dances.
2. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Memorable lyrics: / Here we stand/ Worlds apart, hearts broken in two, two, two/
The upbeat tempo and pace of this song make it the perfect song to play when you wish to keep the mood lively and celebratory.
What is more, its infectious beats and catchy lyrics make you want to sing along, making it the perfect song to pull out when everyone has had their fill of slow dance songs.
3. Don’t Stop Believin’
Memorable lyrics: / Just a small town girl/ Livin’ in a lonely world/
‘Don’t Stop Believing’ is one of Journey’s most iconic and beloved songs ever. It’s played at all kinds of events, from birthdays and anniversaries to wedding ceremonies and even bridal showers.
The song’s uncanny knack for getting people to let loose and just have fun makes it perfect for your wedding dance time playlist.
4. Open Arms
Memorable lyrics: / Softly you whisper/ You’re so sincere/ How could our love be so blind?/
Talk about the perfect song for an intermission between dance times. ‘Open Arms’ is a sweeping, gentle rock ballad that is ideal for playing in the background as everyone catches their breaths, chats around, has a drink, and enjoys some special moments with other guests. And afterward, it’s straight back to the dance floor.
5. Anyway You Want it
Memorable lyrics: / She loves to move/ She loves to groove/ She loves the lovin’ things/
This song is one of the most popular dance numbers by Journey, and it’s loved by music lovers, both young and old. It’s a lively, dance-worthy song sure to hit the right chords with couples who appreciate humor and are willing not to take themselves too seriously.
6. Wheel in the Sky
Memorable lyrics: / Haven’t been home in a year or more/ I hope she holds on a little longer/
This is one of those songs with such melodies that keep audiences captivated and in the spirit of the moment. It’s the perfect mid-tempo number to keep your guests in a steady, not-too-lively mood—just the right mood for some mingling around between major segments of the event.
7. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
Memorable lyrics: / Lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ each other/ When I’m alone all by myself/
Steve Perry is on the vocals as usual, and the song is simply marvelous. Admittedly, the lyrics of the song don’t lend themselves easily to a wedding environment, and that’s why it’s best tried at a themed wedding, such as a gothic-themed one.
8. Stone in Love
Memorable lyrics: / In the heat with a blue jean girl/ Burning love comes once in a lifetime/
If you want to add some charm to your wedding, this edgy, quintessential 80s rock song should definitely be on your playlist. It’s perfect first for dance moments, as it has a proven track record as a body shaker.
It’s also the most splendid song to play while you and your spouse are introduced as a couple for the first time.
9. When You Love a Woman
Memorable lyrics: / When you love a woman/ You see your world inside her eyes/
This 1996 song from Journey best hits album ‘Trial by Fire’ is one of the most romantic Journey wedding songs ever released. It’s a dreamy track that expresses the elation of finding that special girl that you want to spend your life with.
Its passionate vocals and splendid instrumentals make it a great song for wedding first dances.
10. Lights
Memorable lyrics: / When the lights go down in the City/ And the sun shines on the bay/ Ooh, I wanna be there in my City, oh/
This is another one of those mid-tempo Journey wedding songs that will make a splendid addition to your wedding playlist.
It’s a versatile tune, so you can use it for almost any part of the wedding event; however, it’s particularly ideal for cocktail or mingle periods. Additionally, it’s also a perfect song to play near the close of the wedding, as it’s great for helping guests wind down for the day.
11. Who’s Crying Now
Memorable lyrics: / The taste of bittersweet/ Love will survive somehow, somewhere/
As the title already indicates, this is not a particularly joyous or celebratory love song. However, its deep and heartfelt lyrics reflect upon the love and the enduring longing for a lover, even after they’ve gone their separate ways. It works well as a reflective first dance song.
12. Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever
Memorable lyrics: /Lost in twilight/ The memories/ Precious moments, you and me/
This song is ideal for first dances at a wedding, especially due to its tempo. It’s also potentially one of the most underrated songs by this band, with its great instrumentals and Steve Perry’s fantastic bit at the end.
The song expresses the desire to stay with the one you love and share some more precious memories.
13. Only the Young
Memorable lyrics: / Shadows of a golden age/ A generation waits for dawn/ Brave carry on/
‘Only the Young’ is not a love song, but its upbeat tempo and great lyrics make it splendid for dance time. The lyrics talk about the young coming into their own, with the future open before them and full of promise. It portrays the feeling that two young lovers about to start a life together can relate to.
14. Message of Love
Memorable lyrics: / Baby can you hear me/ Can you hear me callin’/ Baby can you hear my/ Message of love/
This is another timeless number from Journey, released in 1996. The song is the soft rock type, and it’s a song of longing and desire. It has a fast tempo, making it ideal for dance time, and it’s also great for retro-themed weddings.
15. Happy to Give
Memorable lyrics: / Shadows fall, after the hurt is gone/ Through it all, we love and we lose/
Part of the album ‘Raised on a Radio,’ this song has some very deep and reflective lyrics. In addition, its tempo is just the right stuff for a relatively mid-pace dance between bride and groom. The lyrics express the fact that we all deserve to be with someone who loves and adores us. And even though we lose love, we also find it again.
16. After All These Years
Memorable lyrics: / A faded wedding photograph/ You and me in our first dance/
What makes this song so romantic and so good as a wedding song is the perspective from which the lyrics emerge.
The song is from the perspective of a lover who looks back on all the years they have spent with their better half, remarking on the journey so far and marveling at how time has not diminished their bond.
17. With Your Love
Memorable lyrics: / On this day… To be standing here with you/ There’s no doubt… I know this love is true/
This Journey masterpiece exhibits the band’s regular big production size, and it contains marvelous piano melodies and spacey guitar rhythms trickling in the background. The song has such quality that it can be enjoyed by all, regardless of their music preference.
18. Send Her My Love
Memorable lyrics: / Send her my love/ Memories remain/ Send her my love/ Roses never fade/
This song is simply a musical masterpiece, with its emotionally charged lyrics and touching, rangy vocals.
The song blends the unique Journey vibe that characterizes all the band’s tracks with soothing, slow jam qualities, and that’s why many consider it one of the best songs by Journey. You want to try this song for a memorable first dance.
19. Girl Can’t Help It
Memorable lyrics: / The girl can’t help it, she needs more/ He hasn’t found what he’s lookin’ for/
This 1986 Journey song is another timeless number that you can use for a lively dance. Steve Perry pulls off the vocals in a way that only he can, and he delivers the powerful lyrics in a way that makes it hard to resist moving your body to the beat.
20. Chain Reaction
Memorable lyrics: / I bet you, she’s the one/ Who helped you, come undone/ Those changes/ She put you through/
The lyrics of this song render a testimony to how loving someone changes us, for better or worse. The song was released as part of the band’s 1983 album, and it quickly became a radio hit. It’s an upbeat number that will absolutely kill it as a fast-tempo dance song at your wedding.
Summary
Journey is one of those iconic bands with a long history of iconic songs, and where wedding music is concerned, they have very great options for you to try out. These are our picks for the best ones out there, but we would also recommend that you explore a bit.
The list of tracks in this band’s discography is extensive, and you will find no shortage of great Journey wedding songs for your event.
FAQs
Is the Journey band still together?
The line-up of the band has changed a bit, especially with the exit of Steve Perry, but it’s still making music right now.
Who are the current members of the band?
The current members of the Journey band are Neal Schon (lead guitarist), Ross Valory (bassist), Jonathan Cain (keyboards and rhythm guitar), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion), and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals).
Are non-romantic Journey songs good for use in weddings?
Songs don’t necessarily have to be romantic to be on a wedding playlist, although it’s ideal that they should be. Journey songs like ‘Only the Young’ still work if you play them at specific periods of the event.
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information
