Tag: Scandal

Journey – “Only The Young” – 7″ Single

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic11 Comments

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.

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Queen – ‘The Miracle’ (1989) – Album Review (The Studio Album Series)

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After the Magic Tour ended in 1986, which was supporting the album ‘A Kind of Magic’, the band took a break. Not much happened in 1987 and the band went its longest time between albums. They finally did start recording a new album in January 1988 and it took a whole year before they were finally finished in January 1989. The band was going through a lot during this time period. Brian May was going through a very tumultuous marital problems that actually put him in to depression. And to make matters worse, Freddie had been diagnosed with HIV and suffering through the effects of that illness. At the time, there had been speculation of Freddie’s illness but at the time, it wasn’t confirmed publicly although the band was well aware of the diagnosis.

The album was finished and was finally released on May 22, 1989 and titled ‘The Miracle’ which sounds like that is exactly what it was to get the album finished. At one time, the album title was going to be ‘The Invisible Men’ but was changed suddenly at the last minute. I think the final title fits what was going on in their lives. Thankfully, we got another album from the band. The album went to #1 in several countries, including the UK, but only hit #24 in the US. It was certified Platinum in the UK, but I don’t believe has ever been certified Gold or anything in the US. For me, it was a day one purchase so I know they sold at least one copy in the US.

The band did something different with this album as well. All the songs were credited to the band ‘Queen’ and not to each individual member that actually wrote the song. The band was being more collaborative and felt this was the right thing to do. Now, however, we know who actually wrote each song but I liked the fact at this point in their career, they felt that crediting it to each member was the right thing to do. The album cover with the faces morphed together as one is in line with the collaborative feeling.

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