Facebook Live on 12/6/2022!
Stay tuned for Parti-Gras 2023 ticket information, and check out the VIP Package information at BretMichaels.com!
#RockYourHolidayHappiness #PartiGras #NBAGV
Bret will be doing a Facebook Live on 12/6/2022. Stay tuned for Parti-Gras 2023 ticket information, and check out the VIP Package information! #RockYourHolidayHappiness #PartiGras #NBAGV
It’s Trial By Fire’s 25th anniversary today [October 22. 1996] time surely flies.
As you know this is the last recorded album with both Steve Perry and Steve Smith (he rejoined in 2015, fired again in 2020, but TBF remains his last recorded album with the band) Thankfully songs from the album has been played live since SP left the band; by Steve Augeri, Jeff Scott Soto and Arnel Pineda.
Some fave versions are Steve Augeri doing “Castles Burning”, Jeff Scott Soto’s version of “Message Of Love” and Arnel Pineda’s version of “When You Love A Woman”. All great versions that I listen to regularly, thank you to you three.🙏🏼🧡
also I must mention that Neal’s guitar work on “One More” and “Castles Burning” are my faves of everything he’s done!
And yes “When You Love A Woman” should have won that Grammy.
And let me repeat myself: Steve Perry was not fired, he quit. Now we can lay that discussion dead. Have a fabulous TBF day.🎶🎉
I made such a good IG post that I want to post it here too.🤷🏼
I adore Steve Augeri. He was a perfect addition to Journey at the time. He fitted perfectly and from what I can see from recorded live clips the crowd absolutely loved him.
I saw some say on the TBF anniversary yesterday that they were sad because that was Journey’s last album with Steve Perry and that they wish they had made more together. I am not sad about it because it brought us Steve Augeri, Jeff Scott Soto and now Arnel Pineda and I love them all. ♥️♥️
I’ve also seen “I wonder what Steve Perry would sound like on this album?” No, stop it now. He has had nothing to do with those albums, had he had a writing credit they would have be entirely different, they would have sounded different. Know who along with Neal and Jon had many writing credits? Augeri, not Steve Perry.
Augeri’s albums with the band are Augeri’s, those are meant for his voice, not Steve Perry’s, same with Arnel Pineda, the songs are made around his voice, they are his. There is no point in comparing at all, just appreciate what we got and what we have. Steve Perry was done, he had no desire to continue, but thankfully the band did not stop because he wanted to, they went on and I’m so thankful.
Journey’s new double album is just about done and I’m really excited about it, it’s gonna sound amazing and they don’t need Steve Perry to do it.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Hello, I am loving everything about this.❤️ old buds supporting each other. Ah, and that guitar collection display looks amazing; wish I could see it. No matter how hard I try I cannot follow Augeri; it just comes up that I follow too many; I have deleted a ton and still it won’t follow.
Jon Cain: Journey songs about being a bad bf/very soppy masterlist
I got the idea last night of making this list and I think it is genius. Jon Cain is the ballad and soppy songs royal. Before he came into the band they wrote sexy songs, when he arrived it became ballads and songs about Jon being a bad boyfriend. I will explore in chronological order from “Escape” to “Arrival” I haven’t familiarised myself that much with “Revelation” and “Eclipse” yet, and after all; 5 albums will give us a lot of material of soppy and Jon complaining about being a bad boyfriend. I will find key lyrics, kinda to prove that Jon is the soppy, bad boyfriend royal complainer. This will be the longest list yet. Except for “Faithfully” Jon didn’t write the songs alone, will list the songwriters to each song as well, but you can tell that he has the most influence. My opinions about how I interpret the song is my own, you may feel otherwise; music feels different to as all after all. Lets start, and enjoy!
Escape
- “Who’s Crying Now” (J Cain/S Perry)
One of his first soppy bad boyfriend songs.In this one he made his girlfriend cry then he also started to cry, I imagine it was bc he wanted sympathy. The song is okay, but not my fave; none of the ballads really are. Key lyrics:
“One love, feeds the fire
One heart, burns desire
I wonder who's crying now?
Two hearts, born to run
Who'll be the lonely one?
I wonder who's crying now?”
- “Open Arms” - (J Cain/S Perry)
This is Journey’s highest charting hit, peaking at nr. 2 at the Billboard Hot 100, can you believe? Because I can’t. It is soppy. It’s about Jon and his girlfriend who has drifted apart, he wants her back of course, for his own selfish reasons I bet. Girl please, don’t go back into his “Open Arms”. Key lyrics:
“Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
Wanting you near
How much I wanted you home”
Frontiers
We have arrived at the sexless album. There is no sex here, only Jon being soppy.
- “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”(J Cain/S Perry)
This is one of their heavier songs, but it’s still full of the soppy and Jon assuring that he will be the best bf ever this time around, don’t believe him. Key lyrics:
“Someday, love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you
How we touched and went our separate ways
If he ever hurts you
True love won't desert you
You know I still love you
Though we touched and went our separate ways”
- “Send Her My Love” (J Cain/S Perry)
This as “Faithfully” is basically the same songs with some different wording. This woman was smart enough to break up with him because he was on the road and not there for her though, which I applaud. Key lyrics:
“The same hotel, the same old room
I'm on the road again
She needed so much more
Than I could give
We knew our love could not pretend
Broken hearts can always mend”
- “Chain Reaction” (J Cain/N Schon/S Perry)
One of the heavier songs again, make no mistake though. In this one he’s blaming a woman for the chain reaction at that she made him go through all these changes, like bitch; that is your own responsibility Jon.
“In motion, it's on her way
The red light
Somebody's got to pay
Those changes
She put you through
Long, long distance
You're overdue”
- “After The Fall” (J Cain/ S Perry)
In this one he atleast admits that he’s been a shitty boyfriend, which is a first, but he also wallows in self pitty. If you cannot make time to send your gf a Valentines card when you’re out on the road there’s something wrong with your priorities Jon. Key lyrics:
“But a head strong stubborn man
Only works it out the best he can
Valentines he never sent
There's not enough time he's a working man
Can't stop falling
Heartaches calling
Finds you after the fall
Saints or sinners
Take no prisoners
What's left - after you fall
No not much no”
- “Faithfully” (J Cain)
The soppiest song of them all. It’s Jon complaining about being a bad bf bc he’s out touring all the time and he tries to assure his woman that he is faithfull, which is probably true because Jon is not really a catch. Jon wrote this song entierly on his own, it shows. That is also why I cannot get myself to listen to this song. Key lyrics:
This song is about a girl needing more than her man (Jon I pressume) I do not blame her. Key lyrics:
“The girl can't help it, she needs more
He hasn't found what he's lookin' for
They're still standing in the rain
He can't help it, and she's just that way”
- “Positive Touch” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
By the title you might think that the man is talking about his gf’s positive touch, but no. Cheating is not cool Jon. Key lyrics:
“Emergency breakthrough
There's no way to reach you
There's somebody else I'll turn to
She (she's) has got the positive touch (touch)
She's bringing love back to me, yeah, back to me. I said--
She, (she's) to me means so much (much)
She's saving it all for me, yeah”
- “Suzanne” (J Cain/S Perry)
This was on the sex mentions list, but it deserves a place here to. This is about Suzanne who has become famous and the man wondering if she still remembers him. Let it go Jon, she has gone on living her best life. Key lyrics:
“Remember...our last September...
Suzanne, so far away
Remember Suzanne, those summer nights with me
Suzanne, don't walk away, I love you Suzanne
I'm still callin' you
Suzanne...no no no no no remember
Those summer nights with me, those summer nights”
- “Once You Love Somebody” (J Cain/ S Perry/ N Schon)
This is about love and how hard it can be. Jon sops over that it can hurt, so, so much. Key lyrics:
“How can lovers just turn and walk away
Loneliness is an edge that cuts both ways
So easy to fall
So hard to get over”
- “Happy To Give” (J Cain/ S Perry)
Jon is complaining about heartache and that he needs someone who will be “happy to give”, don’t give it to him, he will hurt you. Key lyrics:
“ Where is the one, someone who's happy (happy to give)
Happy to be with you, it's where you belong, with someone
Who's happy (happy to give) happy to give you love”
- “I’ll Be Alright Without You” (J Cain/ S Perry/N Schon)
Jon has been a shitty bf, the woman has broken up with him and now he’s complaining. Key lyrics:
“I've been thinking 'bout the times
You walked out on me
There were moments I'd believe, you were there
Do I miss you, or am I lying to myself again
I do these things
(It's all because of you)
I keep holding on, but I'll try
(Try not to think of you)
Love don't leave me lonely”
- “It Could Have Been You” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
Another song where the gf has broken up with him to go on and live her best life, he is once again complaining. Key lyrics:
“We were so close yet so far away
I'd reach out, you'd be gone
Moments that still talk my breath away
There's so much more to life than loving you
You don't need me, no...”
Trial By Fire
- “Message Of Love” (John Bettis/J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
He is ready to give his all to a woman. He is complaining, trying to send her his message of love, also he wants to die apparently. Key lyrics:
“Why, have I waited so long to be there...for you
Now, now I'm ready to give everything...to you
Now love's here, where are you?” and “I hear...but I never listen
I see...and still I'm blind
All alone...lost in the silence, I'm dyin'
Baby can you hear me
Can you hear me callin'
Baby can you hear my
Message of love
Baby can you hear me
Can you hear me callin'
Baby can you hear my
Message of love”
- “When You Love A Woman” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
This song is a good lind of soppy and I love it. It’s about praising the woman, I am here for it. Key lyrics:
“ When you love a woman
You see your world inside her eyes
When you love a woman
(Well) You know she's standing by your side
A joy that lasts forever
There's a band of gold that shines
Waiting somewhere, oh, yeah”
- “If He Should Break Your Heart” (J Cain/S Perry/ N Schon)
This is about Jon still being in love with a woman that has moved on to another man, good for her. He wants her back (don’t do it) and proclaims that he will be there if he breaks her heart. Apparently they were also in a room together and he has very lonely hands. Key lyrics:
“Is this right
I don't care I'm alone with you
Here we are, once again you've got someone new
Lonely hands, please don't do what you want to do
If he should break your heart
I'll always know where you are
If you should fall apart
I'll be there, I'll be around”
- “Forever In Blue” (J Cain/S Perry N Schon)
This is about Jon falling for a woman that already has a bf, he is heartbroken and complains. Key lyrics:
“And on the night she told me that
She had another
I was broken by the truth
I discovered, I knew oh I knew
Two hearts, reach for each other
Once chance, she's like no other
I'm lost, lost in the dream of you
'Cause it's true oh
I'm forever, forever in blue... in blue”
“Don’t Be Down On Me Baby” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
This is about Jon cheating and complaining that his gf blames him, blame yourself Jon. Key lyrics:
“Those little things, you say I do
Well they might be true
Tell me what good does it do
When things go wrong, I'm the first you blame
I try another way, still someone's gotta pay
Don't be down on me baby
Down on me girl
I get lost sometimes
In my crazy world”
- “Still She Cries” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
I love this song with a passion, but it’s still very soppy. He remembers when times were good, and then when times were bad when she cried, bet he hurt her somehow. Key lyrics:
“I wish I could forget
I hear her voice in the night, cries of joy
We were good, good, good,
I still recall how we'd touch, how we'd fall
We were good, good, good
Still she cries
Somewhere, still she cries
No one knows when lovers will walk away”
(I’m hopping over “When I think Of You” bc that’s about Steve’s mother)
- “It’s Just The Rain” (J Cain/S Perry)
This is about touching, but apparently not in a good way bc their souls are dying, they are blaming it on the rain, also it isn’t love it’s the rain that makes them crazy touch; ok. Key lyrics:
“Inside you keep on lyin'
Inside your soul is dyin'
You still can't hold back
Still you can't say good-bye
Touch me, touch me crazy
How your kiss betrays me
It's not the love, it's just the rain
Two broken hearts
But not in vain
No reasons why, no one's to blame
It's not the love, it's just the rain
It's just the rain, It's just the rain,
It's just the rain, It's just the rain
Falling, falling, falling
It's just the rain”
- “Baby I’m Leaving You” (J Cain/S Perry N Schon)
This song is shady soppy. He is complaining, she wants to get married, he does not bc he likes the simple things and the moonlight. It’s also suggesting that she’s a hoe anyway bc boys she knew before comes knocking at her door. Steve and Neal has written a song before that suggests that the girl Stevie was dating was a hoe, so that is definitley their doing (”Where Were You”) Key lyrics:
“I like moonlight, simple things
Now you want a diamond ring
I got news for you
Baby I'm leaving you
We both want a love that last
Girl you're moving away too fast
I live for your fantasy
A real love is what I need”
“I Can See It In Your Eyes” (J Cain/S Perry/N Schon)
Jon is mad bc the girl he used to love is sexy. How dare she? She apparently needs to get a life bc she’s sexy. If she’s sexy and has the confidence to strut her sexy legs she’s already living her best life, yes work it gurl! Key lyrics:
“ Baby..Too bad...I used to love you girl
I..Don't care..No more about your face
No you..Make me mad...The way you cat around
With your lips, your legs
And all your sexy ways
Do you got another lover now
Do you think it's me you're foolin' now
No..No”
and
“ Oh you...never hear
A single word I say
No you..turn away
Where do you disappear
Oh I've had enough
You need to get a life
It's all..so tired
I think I'm out of here”
Arrival
The first album so far with a new lead singer. I adore Steve Augeri and his voice. He’s incredibly talented and has nothing to do with the bands drama. He got an oppurtunity to sing with Journey and he took it, good for you babe. (“Higher Place” is a kind of a soppy track, but it’s one of the only songs on this album that Jon doesn’t have any writing credits on, it’s written by Neal and some other guy, so leaving that out for now, we are here to focus on Jon.)
- “All The Way” (J Cain/S Augeri/N Schon/Taylor Rhodes)
I think this song has sex as a subtext without really mentoning it. He wants her to open up, not pull away or hesitate so he can take her all the way, I assume that means an orgasm. Can you believe? Jon in on writing a sex song? This is unbeliveable. Key lyric:
“Speak your heart and I will listen
Don't hold back we'll find what's missing
I'll take you all the way
Close your eyes and think forever
If you believe we go together
I'll take you all the way
I'll take you all the way
I'll take you all the way”
- “Signs Of Life” (Elizabeth Cain/J Cain/N Schon)
A woman has broken up with a man. He is devestated, sad but also wants to move on. I actually find this to be a good lyric. He is reminising about the good times, accepting the pain and wants to move on, good. Key lyrics:
“Lyin' next to me
Were you ever mine
Just wasted love and wasted time
Did you ever find what you were lookin' for,
The nights you took my breath away
I'll miss your love
Miss your touch, but this holdin' on it hurts too muchNow it's my time to walk away
I'll be okay
Tryin' to not think about you
I'm not a dead man walkin' without you
You know I'll be alright
I'm showing signs of life
You left me barely breathin'
I've had time for the healing
Now I've opened my eyes
I'm showing signs of life”
- “All The Things” (Andre Pessis /J Cain/N Schon)
This is a good kind of soppy and I really enjoy this song. It’s praising a woman and basically listing up all the things he loves about her. The writing style is still very soppy, but I enjoy it anyway, that his whole world revolves around this woman is a bit creepy though. Key lyric:
“ My while world revolves around you
Changing colors with the moon
Keep amazing me I never get enough
You twist the truth still your're sincere
To get your way you'll shed a tear
Don't need a reason when you're beautiful”
- “Loved By You” (Cain/Hyler/Tribble)
A song about loving a woman in a very soppy way. He is thanking the world, hoping that if he dies the last thing that is said is her name. It is romantic soppy and way over the top, and yeah; it’s a ballad. Key lyric:
“ If I should die before I wake
I'll go into the night whispering your name
If lying in your arms is the last thing that I do
At least I know that I'll be loved by you
In about a hundred years from now
When all of my love letters are found
And someone reads these words I've written only meant for you
They'll know how forever came true”
- “I Got A Reason” (Jack Blades /J Cain/N Schon)
He got a reason to feel alive because of a woman, apparently laying all the happines he has in her hands. She is his reason to live. Also there’s some sex her. I think Neal got some out of him, not bad. Key lyric:
“I got a reason to feel alive
You put the smile on my face
There'll be no more lonely nights in this town
Oh no... no... 'cause I got a reason
Oh no... no...I want your love... want you to stay... oh yeah
You know you got me night and day
Every day...”
- “With Your Love” (Elizabeth Cain/J Cain /N Schon)
This is basically a song about the same as in “I Got A reason” and “Loved By You” with different wording, there’s definitley a theme here, and “Arrival” is very ballad driven, Jon is an incredible soppy man and I am starting to get enough. Key lyric:
“On my own
I searched for something more
In your arms
The kiss I've waited for
I was lost for words
To say what's in my heart
Just to be close
To the beauty that you are
If someone could see
To the end of our lives
I know they'd find me there
By your side”
- “Lifetime of Dreams” (J Cain / Kim Chadwick Tribble/N Schon)
Basically the same as any other ballad on this album, it has the same theme and the same meaning. Jon and Neal really went on the soppy train on this album and Jon is apparently unstoppable. Key lyric:
“When I look in your eyes baby
I see a lifetime of dreams come true
And I want you to say, that you feel the same
Way too
The stars in your eyes tell me
All my tomorrows will wait for you
You're all of my prayers answered
My one saving grace is you”
- “Nothin’ Comes Close” (N Schon/J Cain/S Augeri)
Nothin’ comes close to your kiss. What more is there to say? It’s a song about kissing. Key lyric:
“I've been around the world, ain't much that I've missed
It don't get much better then this...Oh baby
Nothin' comes close to your kiss
I've thought I felt it all before
One taste and I want more...Oh baby
Nothin' comes close to your kiss”
There are more soppy songs on this album that aren’t written by Jon at all, so those we are dropping.
Conclusion: Jon is the soppy master, the bad boyfriend master. I am up to 31 soppy and/or bad boyfriend songs. The count is much higher of course if you add the songs from “Revelation” and “Eclipse” but this is more than enough. I crown him to the bf/husband you never want to have
