In my quest for 80’s Rock Singles with Picture Sleeves, I found this one from the rock band Journey. It was for the song “Only the Young” which was featured on the soundtrack to the movie, ‘Vision Quest’. The single was released on January 8, 1985 and went all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The B-Side, which isn’t listed on the cover, is for Sammy Hagar’s song “I’ll Fall in Love Again” which was also on the ‘Vision Quest’ soundtrack.

The song was originally intended for Journey’s album ‘Frontiers’, but was pulled at the last minute and replaced with “Back Talk” and “Troubled Child”. However, the song didn’t go unused as it was sold to the band Scandal who recorded it for their 1984 album ‘Warrior’. Of course, Journey would still use it for the soundtrack, obviously.

There is a touching story that surrounds the song. Journey received a request from the Make-A-Wish Foundation back in 1983 as a 16 year old boy named Kenny Sykaluk was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. His wish was to meet the band. The band flew out to visit him in the hospital where they showered him with gifts including a signed 49ers Football helmet from the team and a signed Journey Platinum award from the band. They also brought along a walkman that contained the Journey version of “Only the Young”. Kenny was the first person outside the band to hear the song. The event moved the band so much that Steve Perry broke down the second he stepped outside Kenny’s hospital room and had to be taken somewhere privately to regain his composure.

A-SIDE:

The song was written by Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon and is about how young people have their whole life ahead of them full of all the hopes and dreams that are there to be reached. It is a powerful soft rock anthem full of energy and excitement. Steve Perry’s vocals are perfect as usual as is high range is so smooth and hypnotizing. Neal has a great solo thrown in as well as some powerful riffs. The song is pure 80’s Journey in every way and it is beautiful.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AzWGWQ0jUY0%3Fsi%3DlABu4V1XSjlFOq4X

B-SIDE:

The B-Side is not by Journey. It is another song from the ‘Vision Quest’ soundtrack and this time around it is Sammy Hagar’s “I’ll Fall in Love Again”. The song was written by Sammy and actually first appeared on his 1982 solo album ‘Standing Hampton’. It was later picked for the movie soundtrack. It’s original release as a single back in 1982 saw it go to #2 on the Mainstream Rock Charts and #43 on the Singles chart so it already was a proven hit. The song is a rocker, but just soft enough and slick enough to garner him more fans. It was a polished track, with great vocals, great little riffs and very melodic. The chorus was catchy and it is obvious this was destined to be a hit. His star started to rise with this one and that whole ‘Standing Hampton’ album.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=RHoW70MHZug%3Fsi%3DyDTARHdyWjO4MnA6

And there you have it, another single from the collection. An interesting note on the actual vinyl that I have. Apparently there is a crack in the vinyl, however, the songs play beautifully on both sides. I am not sure how that is, but heh, it works and for that I am happy. I hope you enjoyed the little walk through on this one and hopefully more to come soon. Thanks and have a great day.